English

1. Video Report Supermarkets

You can watch our video report about inflation in supermarkets down below. (in cooperation with Do Vermeire & Anne-Sophie Michiels)

Text video report

2. Native speaker food project: final version

3. We Have Always Lived in the Castle

This task is based on the mystery novel 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson. It contains a passage analysis (page 39 of the book) and a character profile of the main character, Mary-Katherine Blackwood.

We have always lived in the castle: chapters 1-3

Page 39

"Constance?" Uncle Julian turned his wheel chair to face her. "How was I?"

"Superb, Uncle Julian." Constance stood up and went over to him and touched his old head lightly. "You didn't need your notes at all." "It really happened?" he asked her. "It certainly did. I'll take you in to your room and you can look at your newspaper clippings."

"I think not right now. It has been a superlative afternoon, but I think I am a little tired. I will rest till dinner."

Passage analysis:

In this passage, it is clearly shown that the process of letting go of the past is something Uncle Julian has not yet mastered. Even though it has been six years, Uncle Julian still updates his notes and has ongoing research of what happened that gruesome evening in the castle. In the first sentence of the passage he says "How was I?", giving us the idea that he has practiced the scenario of explaining what happened beforehand, which is an odd thing to do. After all, he himself was nearly killed by the poison that killed the rest of the Blackwoods.

It's peculiar how Uncle Julian is still so obsessed with the murder case, because we expect him to be so traumatized he wouldn't even dare bring up the subject in the first place. Also, the fact that Constance doesn't question anything he does or says, probably means she's used to him saying/doing things like that. Because of this extract, the unsettling feeling that I was already feeling whilst reading the book, intensified.

A. Merricat's character profile:

Throughout the first and second chapter, we get the opportunity to learn what Merricat is like and what she thinks. She deeply despises the town people, who she feels wronged her family. So much so, that she wishes they would all die a horrible death. This gives off the impression that she's very protective of her remaining family (Constance especially, whom she's also very loyal to), but at the same time, she's highly anxious and terrified of the world outside their home and hates going anywhere outside the castle's grounds. She's also a bit delusional and paranoid, hearing the voices of her family calling her from time to time.

I feel the strangest thing about her is how she feels about the death of her family. When the story is brought up again in chapter three by Mrs. Wright, she acts as if not affected by it. She even makes jokes when the story is told, saying she likes to tease scared people and frighten them even more. This I find confusing, since I cannot tell if that's her way of dealing with trauma or if she's just that apathetic.

I can't help but get the feeling as though Mary-Katherine is the one that killed her family. I'm eager to know if she actually did and if so, why. Her being so loving towards and protective over her sister Constance, plus the fact that she's the only one that didn't get poisoned, is one reason why I think she did it.

We have always lived in the castle: chapters 4-7

Page 54-55

"We'll see color out there soon," she said.

"We'll always be here together, won't we, Constance?"

"Don't you ever want to leave here, Merricat?"

"Where could we go?" I asked her. "What place would be better for us than this? Who wants us, outside? The world is full of terrible people;"

"I wonder sometimes." She was very serious for a minute, and then she turned and smiled at me. "Don't you worry, my Merricat. Nothing bad will happen."

Passage analysis

Time and time again the book has shown us how frightful Merricat is towards the outside world. Constance, Uncle Julian and Merricat have quite literally isolated themselves from the rest of the world. The abrupt change in topic of conversation, from Constance talking about the rain to Merricat asking Constance if they'll be in the castle for the rest of their lives, once again depicts Merricat's fortitude in not wanting to leave the house and her fear of people.

The conversation quickly turns more meaningful and profound when Merricat speaks (second verse). This changes the tension and tone, from light (talking about gardening) to tense (questioning by Merricat). You can tell by how Merricat phrases her sentences, she wholeheartedly believes people are all terrible and that the best thing for them to do is stay in the castle. Constance however, doesn't think the same, but puts no effort in trying to convince her otherwise. It's obvious Merricat is keen on staying isolated forever.

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Gothic novel?

This book is a gothic novel, no doubt about it. Mary-Katherine believes in magic for one, and the castle she lives in is where her family members got poisoned. The setting fits right into the gothic picture: a remote, castle-like, dark mansion with fencing around it to keep people from visiting, protected by Merricat's 'magic'. The mystery surrounding the death of the Blackwoods, is also a typical gothic element. The escapism (Merricat dreaming of living on the moon) can definitely be seen as gothic, as can Merricat's wish of the townspeople dying a horrible death and her insanity.

The main character, Merricat, is not a 'damsel in distress' or a dead wife to someone, which is very different from the typical gothic depiction of women. They are even self-sufficient. The loving way in which Merricat interacts with Constance, is not 'gothic' at all. I find Constance's pretty garden a decent example too. So, the book is not entirely gothic, but can definitely be considered a gothic novel.

We have always lived in the castle: chapters 8-10

P. 110

One of our mother's Dresden figurines is broken, I thought, and I said aloud to Constance, "I am going to put death in all their food and watch them die."

Constance stirred, and the leaves rustled. "The way you did before?" she asked. It has never been spoken of between us, not once in six years. "Yes," I said after a minute, "the way I did before."

When reading this page, I was surprised at Constance's (rather) unexpected question , considering how she is always careful with her words, not wanting to say anything that might hurt Merricat's feelings, and certainly not something as horrid as the murder she committed. Merricat takes a while to respond, indicating she didn't expect Constance to bring up something like that, even though she was the one who did in the first sentence, probably unaware. I guess Merricat thought Constance would ignore her thinking out loud, like she usually does when Merricat says something threatening or savage.

I was also quite surprised because of how briefly and casually it was mentioned. Even so, as the reader you felt the tension between them rise when they said that. The page instantly became more interesting because of this. You wouldn't think they would tackle a subject so serious while they were hiding, especially since their house almost burned down and the townspeople were destroying everything inside as they spoke.

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B. Complex relationship of Merricat and Constance

The relationship between Merricat and Constance is multifaceted and complex: they share a deep bond with underlying conflicts and tension. Constance, the more practical of the two, occasionally gets annoyed by Merricat's way of dealing with things. She has the tendency to dream away and use her magic to solve problems and as a coping mechanism. She is also quite needy, which can agitate Constance, even though she does not always show it.

Their unique bond is based upon emotional support, shared routines, inside jokes, mutual respect and more. As the story goes on, it gets clearer how they manage to keep their relationship stable. Constance always tries to make sure she keeps Merricat's rather erratic behavior manageable. She does so by playing along, calling her 'silly Merricat' oftentimes in the book. Merricat takes on a more protective role in their relationship, even going so far as to doing groceries in the town surrounded by people she loathes.

Their relationship is really one of a kind. You can tell they love each other dearly even though their personalities are nothing alike.

Presentation about swearing

'Swearing' is chapter 14 in the Bill Bryson's The Mother Tongue. Below you'll find the powerpoint i made for the presentation.

This document contains the notes i took whilst reading the chapter.