We have always lived in the Castle

In the story We have always lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson, the reader is presented with only one perspective and that is Mary Katherine "Merricat" Blackwood's point of view. While many aspect were present, the one that really stood out was that the Blackwood family does not appreciate change. Everything is preserved: objects, food, routines, rooms, etc. So, it is clear that when facing situations that cause change, both Mary Katherine and Constance Blackwood, the two sisters who survived the murder of the family, would react a certain way. Merricat's reaction is seen through different stages from non-verbal, to verbal, to violent. On the other hand, Constance seemed to welcome change for the most part until she decided to completely isolate herself in the end.

First of all, Merricat seems to react to change in certain steps. She usually starts by trying to stop change through her "magic", after that, she simply expresses what bothers her in hope that it would be effective and, finally, she acts violently. Those steps are seen one at a time as this period of change lasts longer. The first step is used to try and repel anything that could cause change. A good example of Mary Katherine's magic is nailing one of her father's old book to a tree and burying her baby teeth, marbles and a doll in the ground. "Their names were MELODY GLOUCESTER PEGASUS, and we were safe until they were said out loud" (p.57) were the safety words she invited to try to stop change from coming. If any object were to be displaced, then she was not safe. She won't be able to control anything. This idea is stated when she notices her father's book had fallen from the tree and said: " By the time I found the book he had probabl...

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...this building could be called anymore. She had said "What have I done to my baby Merricat... No house. No food. And dressed in a tablecloth; what have I done?" (p.136) The only solution she could find in order to protect herself and her sister is to isolate themselves once again. She found that isolation was much more friendly towards her than the villagers. In a sense, Constance had let herself get carried away with change up until it cost her the house.

It is then understood that both sisters think differently about change. One is hostile towards it while the other seemed to welcome change for the greater part of the book, but retreated at the end. It appears as if the two girls are afraid of change and much rather live on their own than interact with other people. They seem to think that isolation is their best friend and keeps them safe from unwanted visitors.