The novel also has some minor characters, such as:
- Helen Clarke: A friend of Constance’s mother, who occasionally visits the sisters and tries to persuade Constance to leave the house or see a psychiatrist. She is a well-meaning but intrusive character, who represents the norms and expectations of society.
- Jim Donell: A young man who works at the grocery store where Merricat buys food. He is friendly and flirtatious with Merricat, but also mocks her behind her back. He is a curious but superficial character, who represents the curiosity and hypocrisy of the villagers.
- Mrs. Wright: An old woman who lives near the Blackwood house. She is kind and respectful to Merricat, and gives her food or gifts. She is a rare exception among the villagers, who shows some compassion and understanding for the sisters.
- The villagers: The people who live in the village near the Blackwood house. They are hostile and hateful towards the sisters, whom they blame for the poisoning and ostracize from their community. They also loot and vandalize the house after the fire, showing their greed and cruelty. They are a collective character, who represents the fear and prejudice of society.
The characters in the novel undergo some development throughout the story, such as:
- Merricat: She becomes more aggressive and violent towards Charles, whom she sees as a threat to her home and her sister. She also becomes more attached and dependent on Constance, whom she fears losing. She also realizes that her magic is not effective against Charles or the fire, which makes her feel powerless and vulnerable. However, she also becomes more accepting of her situation at the end of the novel, when she decides to stay in the house forever with Constance.
- Constance: She becomes more assertive and independent towards Charles, whom she rejects as a potential partner. She also becomes more affectionate and protective of Merricat, whom she loves unconditionally. She also realizes that she is not guilty or responsible for the poisoning or the fire, which makes her feel relieved and free. However, she also becomes more isolated and withdrawn at the end of the novel, when she decides to stay in the house forever with Merricat.
- Uncle Julian: He becomes more confused and delirious as his health deteriorates. He also becomes more aware of Merricat’s role in the poisoning, which makes him feel uneasy and suspicious. He also becomes more detached from reality at the end of his life, when he dies from the fire.
- Charles: He becomes more frustrated and angry as his plans are thwarted by Merricat or Constance. He also becomes more violent and abusive towards Merricat, whom he despises and fears. He also becomes more desperate and greedy at the end of the novel, when he tries to break into the house to get the safe.
Theme and Message
The novel explores several themes and messages, such as:
- Isolation: The novel shows how isolation can be both a blessing and a curse for the sisters. On one hand, isolation protects them from the hostility and judgment of the world, and allows them to create their own reality and happiness. On the other hand, isolation also traps them in a cycle of fear and guilt, and prevents them from growing or changing as individuals or as a family.
- Paranoia: The novel shows how paranoia can be both a cause and a consequence of isolation. On one hand, paranoia motivates the sisters to isolate themselves from the world, as they believe that everyone is out to get them or harm them. On the other hand, paranoia also results from their isolation, as they become more suspicious and distrustful of anyone or anything that threatens their status quo.
- Guilt: The novel shows how guilt can be both a source and a symptom of paranoia. On one hand, guilt drives the sisters to paranoia, as they feel responsible or blamed for the poisoning and the fire, and expect to be punished or persecuted for their crimes. On the other hand, guilt also stems from their paranoia, as they project their own feelings of remorse or regret onto others, and assume that they are hated or despised for their actions.
- Family: The novel shows how family can be both a support and a burden for the sisters. On one hand, family provides them with love and loyalty, and helps them cope with their isolation and paranoia. On the other hand, family also imposes them with expectations and obligations, and exposes them to abuse and violence.
- Society: The novel shows how society can be both a friend and a foe for the sisters. On one hand, society offers them opportunities and alternatives, and tries to help them overcome their isolation and paranoia. On the other hand, society also poses challenges and threats, and judges them harshly for their isolation and paranoia.
- Imagination: The novel shows how imagination can be both a refuge and a prison for the sisters. On one hand, imagination enables them to escape from reality and create their own fantasy world, where they can be happy and free. On the other hand, imagination also confines them to their own delusions and illusions, where they can’t face reality or deal with their problems.
The main message of the novel is that isolation and paranoia are not healthy or sustainable ways of living, as they can lead to self-destruction or social alienation. The novel also suggests that imagination and fantasy are not enough to cope with reality, as they can distort or deny the truth.
The novel implies that the sisters need to find a balance between isolation and society, between paranoia and trust, between guilt and forgiveness, between family and self, between imagination and reality.
