The Blue Castle Chapter 2-3
Thoughts on TBC, chapters 2-3
Mrs. Stirling not lighting a fire after May 24....yeah OF COURSE people got sick!
For context, the forecast for Bala, ON (where Deerwood was probably based) on May 24 this year is a high of fifteen degrees with a low of eleven. It probably wouldn't kill most people, but damn, that's uncomfortable
The way reality is conflated with despair, ugliness, and sadness says so much. There's a longer post about it somewhere, but it reflects how timely the book is that this sentiment hasn't gone anywhere. The prevailing wisdom is still that reality is harsh and unforgiving, and if you want to be an adult, you have to accept that disappointment and bitterness is part of your life, if not the main part. (I'm so glad the rest of this book is about refuting that)
the opening paragraph of chapter 3 feels rather gothic
The way that the only two options for women in this society are "child" or "old maid" and neither of them is good! Valancy isn't married so she's considered a child even though she's 29! At some point, presumably, it would switch but she would still never be respected. Really, the only way out is to play the game (Olive) or take a third option, and at this point there is no third option!
Plus, the only reason Valancy is treated like a child is because her mother perpetuates it! The admonishment to "eat your crusts," the assumption that Valancy being alone in her room is suspicious, and the arguing over how long it's been since Valancy has been allowed to go to the library are all ways in which Valancy is being infantilized




















