Death

Death is a prevalent theme throughout We Have Always Lived in the Castle. From the beginning of the story, most of the characters seem to be obsessed with the Blackwood murders. Although they hint at the deaths, most of the characters shy away from talking about it directly. Mary Katherine pictures people dead when she is upset with them. To her, death is an answer to her problems.

The only death that occurs during the novel is the death of Uncle Julian during the fire at the Blackwood home. Julian's death is different than the murders in that his death releases him from the Blackwood house. The others who died in the arsenic incident are trapped in the house. Nothing has been moved. Their possessions are not being used by anyone; they stay in exactly the same positions. Because of this, no one can move on from the...