We Have Always Lived In The Castle Susan Blackwood

Not one single relationship is ever the same. In We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, two sisters, Mary Katharine Blackwood, commonly referred to as Merricat, and Constance Blackwood, share a riveting relationship. The two sisters live secluded on the Blackwood property with their uncle, Julian Blackwood. The rest of their family died six years ago due to arsenic poisoning. The villagers in the village despise the Blackwood family and even go as far as to plunder their house. Constance represents a motherly figure to Merricat, and these sisters love each other, although the arrival of their cousin, Charles Blackwood, introduces stress in their relationship.

To begin, Constance is a motherly figure to Merricat. Constance

is the only one that displays concern for Merricat’s health. After their house burns down and they sleep in the woods for a night, Merricat remarks that she is hungry since she did not indulge in dinner the night before. Constance replies, “‘Oh Merricat, poor baby’ . . . ‘you’ll starve’” (Jackson 112-113). In general, mothers get extremely worried and anxious when they find out that their children miss meals, similar to how worried Constance becomes when she finds out that Merricat missed dinner. Additionally, Constance cares about Merricat’s personal hygiene. Before dinner one day, Constance kindly asks Merricat to clean herself up. Constance kindly says, “‘Wash your face, Merricat’. . . ‘And comb your hair; we do not want you untidy at table’” (98). Mothers want and expect their children to be clean and tidy at the dinner table, like how Constance expects the same out of Merricat, as if she is Merricat’s mother. Furthermore, whenever Merricat forgets or does something wrong, Constance has a hard time punishing her. One day when Merricat goes outside to play, she forgets her shoes, and when she comes back Constance says, “‘Did you really forget your boots?’. . . ‘Silly Merricat”” and attempts to frown, but ends up laughing (54). Mothers have trouble disciplining their kids in fear that punishing them might cause children to get upset and no mother wishes to see their child troubled. Overall, Constance’s actual relation to Merricat is that of a sister, but she fits the role of Merricat’s mother.
In addition, Constance and Merricat love and care for each other, although the arrival of charge poses an obstacle to their happiness.

When Merricat comes home from the town on Tuesday, Constance waits at the end of the garden for Merricat and welcomes her home (19). She expresses deep concern for Merricat when she leaves for town and is extremely happy to see Merricat when she returns. In a similar way, Merricat cares deeply for Constance. When Constance remarks that spiders frighten her, Merricat replies, “Jonas and I will see it that no spider ever comes near you. Oh, Constance,’. . . ‘we are so happy’” (146). The fact that Merricat is willing to protect Constance and feels happy with only Constance around indicates that Merricat deeply loves and cares for Constance. However, much like any other relationship, there are obstacles that can stress the bonds of love. The obstacle that threatens the happiness of Merricat and Constance is Charles. With Charles living in the house, Constance becomes increasingly impatient with Merricat. Merricat observes that Constance “was increasingly cross with [her] when [she] wanted Charles to leave” and before “Constance had listened and smiled and only been angry when Jonas and [her] had been wicked, but now she frowned at [Merricat] often”(78). The arrival of Charles causes Constance to change her view on many topics, like her actions towards Merricat and Uncle Julian, and these conflict with her previous views that she shared with

Merricat. If Merricat made a comment about someone else leaving before Charles arrived, Constance would probably say silly Merricat, but she did not. In a similar fashion, Constance usually dislikes new people, but with Charles, she enjoys his company, causing Merricat to feel unsettled. Nevertheless, after Charles leaves and the house burns down, Constance returns to her normal self and Merricat is pleased that her beloved Constance is bad. Overall, the sisters prominently express their love and care for each other, but Charles places a significant burden upon their relationship.
Ultimately, Constance is a motherly figure to Merricat and she and Merricat love and care for each other, but Charles strains their relationship upon his arrival. Constance tries everything in her power to raise Merricat in a protected manner, as she is the only one who cares for Merricat. Constance and Merricat also get along extremely well and the love and care they show each other is prominent, but like any other relationship, specific obstacles hinder and strain the love among individuals. In spite of that, Constance and Merricat mend their relationship, which results in them finally living their life in forever happiness.