We Have Always Lived in the Castle Quiz & Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Who is the narrator of the novel?

Merricat Blackwood

Where do the narrator and her family live?

In a large, expensive house in the woods secluded from the village

What days of the week does the narrator hate? Why?

Tuesdays and Fridays; she had to go to the village

Describe the narrator's trip to the village. Include how the narrator is treated; why she might be receiving this treatment.

Her trip was unpleasant and uncomfortable. The villagers hate Merricat; they rudely avoid her, gossip about her in front of her, and taunt her. She is treated this way because her family was all killed, except for Constance and Uncle Julian. Signup and view all the answers

What are the narrator's thoughts on the people in the village?

She hates them and she wants them all to die Signup and view all the answers

Based on the song that the Harris boys were singing, what does the town believe about Constance?

That she poisoned the Blackwood family Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Blackwood house so isolated?

Because Merricat's mother did not want to see common villagers walking freely about. The pathway meant to be a shortcut to the village is gated and locked from the villagers. Signup and view all the answers

Does Constance ever leave the property? What does she say she is thinking of doing when Merricat returns from the village?

Constance never leaves, but she says she is thinking about going to the village someday Signup and view all the answers

Who lives with Merricat and Constance?

Their Uncle Julian Signup and view all the answers

Who did the cooking in the house?

Constance Signup and view all the answers

What does Merricat say she is not allowed to do?

She was not allowed to help with the food, prepare it, or gather mushrooms Signup and view all the answers

Who are the guests who arrive at the Blackwood home?

Helen Clarke and Mrs. Wright Signup and view all the answers

Why are the guests hesitant to eat or drink what is offered to them?

Because Constance was accused of killing the Blackwood family through poison in that house Signup and view all the answers

How were the members of the Blackwood family killed?

There was arsenic put in their sugar during dinner Signup and view all the answers

Who was accused of killing the Blackwood family? What was the evidence that led towards this?

Constance; she made the food and washed the bowl with sugar in it before the police arrived. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Uncle Julian.

He is a survivor from the sugar poisoning, but it affected him so that his memory was severely damaged. Sometimes, he randomly remembers moments from the past, but will snap back into his clueless state right after. Signup and view all the answers

What does Merricat sense at the beginning of Chapter 3? Why?

That a change was coming. Constance looked at the driveway three times, Uncle Julian was not well, and Jonas was fretful. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of the theme of isolation in Chapter 3?

On Wednesdays, Merricat checked the fence to make sure it wasn't broken and none of the villagers could get in. When Dr. Levy visits, the sisters follow such a dependable routine that Constance knows to go to her room so that she can avoid him. Their routine is very strict. Merricat knows exactly how dinner will go down to the very minute. She says that she doesn't even want light getting into the house. Signup and view all the answers

What is the weekly routine followed by both Merricat and Constance?

Sunday - Merricat examines the safeguards, the box of silver dollars she'd buried, the doll she'd buried, and the book nailed to the tree in the pine woods. Monday - Merricat and Constance neaten the house thoroughly. Tuesday - Merricat goes to the village. Wednesday - Merricat checks the fence to make sure it isn't broken. Thursday - Merricat goes into the big attic and dresses in her dead parents' clothes. Friday - Merricat goes to the village. Saturday - Merricat helps Constance work in the garden by caring for her tools or carrying baskets of flowers and vegetables. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the doctor visit the home every Saturday? Why is he always in a hurry?

To check on Uncle Julian. He is always in a hurry because no one wants to stay in the Blackwood house. Signup and view all the answers

What caused the tension in the family before the deaths?

The tension was caused by the cost of having Julian and his wife staying in the house. Signup and view all the answers

Who does all the cooking and gardening in the family?

Constance Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Blackwood women's cooking routine. What theme does this represent?

Blackwood women have a large supply of jam in a cellar; generations of the women in the household have added to it. The women in the Blackwood household are also the ones that cook the food. This represents the theme of family and gender roles. Signup and view all the answers

What are Merricat's three magical words?

Melody, Gloucester, Pegasus Signup and view all the answers

What does the bad weather on Sunday signify?

That the 'change' is coming soon; something bad will happen Signup and view all the answers

Why is Merricat trying to be kinder to Uncle Julian?

She saw a series of three long, thin things (hair in her toothbrush, fragment of string caught on a chair, splinter broken off the back step). When she saw long, thin things, it was apparently a reminder to be nicer to him. Signup and view all the answers

What does Merricat do to the nest of baby snakes she finds? What does this say about her?

She kills them easily, which shows she has no remorse or aversion to murder. Signup and view all the answers

Who arrives at the Blackwood home?

Cousin Charles Signup and view all the answers

On what does Merricat blame the change in routine after Charles comes?

The book had fallen from the tree Signup and view all the answers

Where does Merricat want to take Constance? What will they eat there?

On the moon. Rose petals. Signup and view all the answers

What does Merricat think of Cousin Charles?

She thinks he is a ghost at first, because she doesn't want to believe he is actually there. She doesn't like him and wants him to go away. Signup and view all the answers

What does Cousin Charles think of Constance?

Charles likes Constance a lot, and he thinks she is beautiful. Since Constance is the most vulnerable one in the house, he has chosen her to manipulate. He is even unafraid to eat her food. Signup and view all the answers

What does Cousin Charles think of Merricat?

Charles knows Merricat doesn't like him and wants to get even with her for it. He doesn't care for/doesn't like Merricat. He takes Merricat's job of going to the village away from her, disrupting routine, something Merricat depended heavily on. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Cousin Charles prevented from coming to see Constance, Merricat, and Uncle Julian? What event occurred that now allows for him to visit?

Charles' father wouldn't let him help the sisters because he didn't like them, but as soon as he died, Charles came to them. Signup and view all the answers

What did Cousin Charles' father leave to him in his will? What does this foreshadow?

His father left Charles nothing when he died. This shows that Charles is searching for money and foreshadows he wants their money. Signup and view all the answers

How old is Constance?

28 Signup and view all the answers

In which room is Cousin Charles sleeping?

Their father's room Signup and view all the answers

What does Cousin Charles say they should not talk about anymore?

Uncle Julian begins talking about the dead Blackwood family. He tries to talk about the day they died, but Charles cuts him off. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Constance say they keep the money? What is Charles' response to this?

That they keep the money in the house. He says that it isn't wise. Signup and view all the answers

What conversation at the end of the chapter makes Charles nervous?

Merricat starts talking about her profound knowledge of poisons and how they work. Signup and view all the answers

What is Merricat's attitude toward Cousin Charles? Give examples.

Merricat is very rude to Charles because she hates him. She hopes that he will leave, but when it reaches the third day and he is still there, she decides to ask him to leave. He says no and turns the question onto Merricat. Now that she feels threatened, she will begin to lash out. Signup and view all the answers

What does Merricat do with the watch chain? Who finds it? What is their reaction?

She nails it to the tree that her book had once fallen from. Charles finds it, and he is very angry that someone would treat such an expensive item with such carelessness like that. Signup and view all the answers

What changes in behavior do we see in Constance? What is the reason for this?

She is slowly starting to regret allowing she, Merricat, and Uncle Julian to live so isolated. Her thinking is beginning to mirror Charles', because he is manipulating her in an attempt to gain control of the household. Signup and view all the answers

What is Cousin Charles' threat to Merricat?

That in a month or so, Charles will still be there, but Merricat will be gone. Signup and view all the answers

What does Uncle Julian say to Constance about Cousin Charles?

That he is dishonest and a bastard. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Merricat think Thursday is her most powerful day?

It is the day she would finally get rid of Charles. Signup and view all the answers

What does Merricat do to try to drive Charles away?

Since routine is so important to Merricat, she assumed that by disrupting Charles' routine, it would drive him away: She stops their father's watch that Charles had started. She altered their father's room by replacing the items inside with wood, leaves, water, etc. so that he wouldn't recognize it and think this was not the house he'd wanted to visit. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Charles frustrated at the beginning of Chapter 7? What is Constance's response?

He finds the silver dollars Merricat has buried. Constance responds carelessly and just says that Merricat likes to bury things. Signup and view all the answers

How has Constance's attitude toward Merricat, Uncle Julian, and their situation changed?

Constance starts to believe she shouldn't let Merricat wander, and that Merricat should socialize and have friends. She also contemplates putting Uncle Julian in a hospital. In all, she realized that the three of them have been living in a bubble. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for Constance's change in attitude? How does it affect Merricat?

Charles is the one manipulating Constance and her thoughts. Merricat hates it, hates that her beloved Constance was acting this way, and sought to end it immediately. Signup and view all the answers

How is Uncle Julian's attitude affecting Charles?

Charles is growing very frustrated with Uncle Julian. He does not respect Uncle Julian, even if that is his elder and Charles should. Signup and view all the answers

What does Merricat imagine at the end of Chapter 7?

She imagines her dead family surrounding her, telling Merricat that they love her, she should never be punished, and that she should be adored. Signup and view all the answers

Why is what Merricat imagines at the end of Chapter 7 significant?

Because Merricat envisions this for herself, but this was not what her family was actually like towards her. Signup and view all the answers

What does Merricat do in Charles' room that changes the course of the novel?

She brushes Charles' still-burning pipe into a wastebasket filled with newspapers. She starts a fire. Signup and view all the answers

Who gets blamed for what Merricat does in Charles' room?

Charles is blamed. Signup and view all the answers

What was Charles most concerned about with regards to the fire?

The money inside the house. Signup and view all the answers

How do the villagers react to the fire?

As the fire is burning, the entire village is watching them; one woman even suggests letting the fire burn. They wish the house had burned down with the Blackwoods inside. Once the fire is put out, the villagers storm the house, destroying it. They run after Merricat and Constance while chanting at and taunting them. Signup and view all the answers

How do the firemen react at first and then later?

At first, they are insistent that they need to put out the fire because they are firemen. Once the fire is gone, though, the Chief - Jim Donell - picks up a rock and throws it at one of the windows in the house. This starts the stampeding crowd that ruins the house. Signup and view all the answers

Where do the girls hide during the fire?

Along the porch to the corner where the vines grew thick. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Uncle Julian in Chapter 8?

He dies by heart attack. Signup and view all the answers

What incident is finally confirmed at the end of Chapter 8?

Merricat killed the Blackwood family. Signup and view all the answers

Where do the girls go after the fire?

Merricat's hiding place by the stream. Signup and view all the answers

Where was Merricat during Constance's trial?

An orphanage, because none of their remaining family members would take her in. Signup and view all the answers

What does Merricat do in order to protect the sisters from outsiders?

She closes the shutters, locks the front door, and covers the windows with cardboard. Signup and view all the answers

Does anyone come to check on the sisters after the fire? How do the sisters react to visitors?

Helen Clarke, Jim Clarke, and Dr. Levy try checking on the sisters, actually concerned about them. Even though they have good intentions, the sisters want total isolation and no human interaction at all. Signup and view all the answers

What color flower does Constance plant in honor of Uncle Julian?

Yellow Signup and view all the answers

At the end of Chapter 9, what events do the sisters discuss? What information do we know for sure now?

Merricat's poisoning of her family. She purposely put the arsenic in the sugar because she knew Constance never used sugar. Signup and view all the answers

What has happened regarding the gates and the property?

Now that the gates to the path are open, children come and play on the lawn and villagers use their short-cut to the village. Signup and view all the answers

As the sisters maintain a new daily routine, where does Merricat say they are living? How does this reference one of the themes of the novel?

On the moon. This references isolation, because Merricat's dream the entire novel was to live with Constance on the moon. This wasn't a desire to live on the moon itself, but a desire to live in isolation. Now that it is just Merricat and Constance, Merricat has what she has always wanted. Signup and view all the answers

What do the sisters do for food just after the fire? Later, what do they do for food?

They gather food from the vegetable garden. Food is dropped off on their doorstep from apologetic villagers. Signup and view all the answers

How do the villagers treat the sisters now? Why do you think this has happened?

They no longer isolate themselves from the girls because they finally feel sorry for the way they've treated the Blackwoods. Signup and view all the answers

What has happened to Cousin Charles after the fire?

Charles tries visiting Constance one day. He is still after the money, claiming he's been waiting to come back for a while, but his intention is to grab a picture with Constance and sell it for money. Signup and view all the answers

How has Constance's view changed?

Merricat's desires are slowly shifting onto Constance. She repeats Merricat's words that they are so happy with their new life of complete isolation. Signup and view all the answers

What are Merricat's new magical safeguards for protection from the outside world?

The lock on the front door, the boards over the windows, and the barricades along the sides of the house. Signup and view all the answers

How does the novel end?

With Merricat and Constance in total isolation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characters and Setting

Merricat Blackwood: The novel's narrator, who provides insight into her family's dark and isolated life.
Blackwood Family Home: An expansive house in the woods, distanced from the village, representing both physical and emotional isolation.

Weekly Routine

Merricat and Constance's Schedule: A structured weekly routine includes trips to the village and household chores, highlighting their rigid lifestyle.

Village Relations

Villagers' Attitude: Villagers resent Merricat, refusing interaction and gossiping about her family’s past tragedy.
Constance's Suspicion: The town believes Constance poisoned her family, leading to tension and distrust.

Familial Dynamics

Uncle Julian: The surviving member of the Blackwood family, suffers memory issues from the poisoning incident. His presence adds complexity to the family dynamic.
Constance's Role: She fulfills domestic duties like cooking and gardening, embodying the theme of gender roles within the Blackwood household.

Themes

Isolation: Merricat's actions and beliefs demonstrate her and Constance's self-imposed separation from village life, including strict routines and magical thinking for protection.
Manipulation and Control: Cousin Charles represents an outside threat, attempting to exert influence over Constance and Merricat, causing a shift in their dynamics.

Key Events

Merricat's Actions: She employs magical words and fire as means of control; her desire for isolation culminates in setting fire to the house, altering their lives forever.
Village Reaction: Post-fire, villagers shift from hostility to pity, revealing underlying dynamics of guilt and change in perception towards the Blackwoods.

Transformation of Characters

Constance's Evolution: Charles's presence instigates a change in Constance's behavior, leading to tension between her family loyalty and newfound desires for normalcy.
Merricat's Resolve: Ultimately, she embraces their isolation with Constance, rejecting past grievances and reaffirming their bond.

Conclusion of the Novel

Final State of the Sisters: The novel concludes with Merricat and Constance in complete isolation, having rejected societal norms, symbolized by their fortified home and enigmatic existence on their own terms.

Symbolism and Motifs

Magical Safeguards: Merricat’s rituals reflect her need for control, revealing her complex relationship with both family and outsiders.
Fire as Destruction and Transformation: Acts as a catalyst for change, representing both the physical destruction of the Blackwood legacy and the rebirth of a new existence for the sisters.

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