This is a Safe Place 

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I read this story completely differently. It didnt feel to me as though they were both happy to escape society. To me it seemed as though Constance had a desire to be part of society but that Merrikat was holding her hostage, whether from fear thar she would end up like the rest of her family or because she didn't think Merrikat could live without her. She was the one that let Charles in and though I didn't like him at all, it seemed like Constance was beginning to stand up to Merrikat after he arrived and had finally begun to move past her family's deaths only to return to catering to Merrikat after she'd set the house on fire. If you were to liken it to the authors life it would feel to me more like someone wanting to be part of the world but being held back by their anxiety. I'll admit, mine may be a more surface level read.

One thing I would like to point out regarding "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is the theme of preservation. It's right there in the title, and throughout the book, the phrase "we have always..." is repeated. Merricat's magic rituals are a way of preserving the stasis around the house, using objects she preserved from her family. She's attached to her sister Constance, who may very well be emblematic of the concept of "constance." She acts childish, despite being 18. It's possible she killed her family as a way of preserving the house and her relationship to Constance, as suggested in the video, but it may very well also be her way of preserving the family as well.

I first read 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' when I was around 21 or 22, and after seeing the mostly-accurate movie adaptation (they made Charles an attempted rapist at the end, probably just to make Merricat look better by comparison), it solidified a suspicion I'd had when I read the story: What if Constance's lack of discipline towards Merricat - feeding her whenever she asks for meals, letting her do whatever she wants, never scolding her, never punishing her, never telling her to do much more than wash her hands before eating - isn't just because of her kind and complacent nature. Constance was groomed by their parents to be a picture-perfect housewife, but that's not all. My head-canon is that Constance lets Merricat run wild because, in part, she's *afraid* of her. Remember, Merricat had been sent up to her room without dinner that night, so we can assume that punishment was the straw that broke the camel's back. So, Constance knows that Merricat is willing to respond to discipline with murder. So, on some level, she lets her little sister walk all over her because she's afraid that, should she displease Merricat in any way, Merricat will kill her, too.

worth noting: magical thinking is a manifestation of OCD. To me, describing it as such makes the whole thing feel more grounded, which, naturally, really helps with domestic horror

how is it that a robot has more empathetic feeling than your average youtuber. talebot, you speak for me

Can we just appreciate how much the visuals have improved over time? The drawings of the sisters were so awesome

When it comes to Jackson's domestic horror, I have an affinity for "The Summer People" -- Coming from a rural coastal place, I know a lot about Summer People...

What's odd is how the villagers hate their family. Not just the suspected murderer, but their family. Her whole family got murdered, but they jeer at Mary and sing cruel nursery rhymes about her and her family. She did nothing wrong, in fact, she was a victim, yet they look at her like she's a monster because she was related to someone who may have tried to kill her and their entire family.

This kind of story is so foreign to me. I grew up with a family that respected my mom for choosing to be a stay-at-home mother. Everyone helped out with taking care of the house, and I can't ever remember a time I wasn't folding my clothes and cleaning up my room. When my siblings and I were older, she started working on finishing her schooling, and I remember we all took on more of the household chores so she could focus on her studies. The thought a story like this could exist is a new perspective for me, and I appreciate the storytellers who share the things I never could have imagined in my upbringing, to address the things I thought were already gone from the world.

"In the psychology of the modern civilized human being, it is difficult to overstate the significance of the house."

"We aleays lived in the castle" is INSANE, the sign of a declining mind, slowly descending into madness

Thank you so much for covering Shirley Jackson! I've always wondered what else she wrote... I do think I'm going to have to push back a little, bit, Talebot, on the idea that Mary Cat and Constance are free from the Patriarchy while shutting themselves up in their house. The text of the novel may support you, but at a glance, the women are still housebound, caregivers, and have no other opportunities, not even marriage, not any more. True, within their home they make their own decisions, but otherwise, it seems a relatively meager form of liberation. Even Mary Cat's self-appointed role as town witch is following a traditional cultural path.

I honestly really like the "draw during the video" idea, ive seen it and its really cool

I've read that the reveal that Mary Cat is the poisoner and functionally villain of the story ( with secondary antagonist being Cousin Edward) is an act of breaking the readers heart. I remember being a bit disappointed in the whole story personally

it seems a bit ironic that Merrikat sought to escape the traditional housewife role, but essentially imprisoned Constance into a sort of traditional housewife role to her, refusing to let her go just like a jealous husband might refuse to let his wife go to college or get a job.

I didn't know what i was expecting from the video titled "This is a safe place" with "domestic horror" labelled in the background, but seeing We Have Always Lived in The Castle was a nice surprise

Talefoundry. I have had a hard time lately. My mental health needs to be cared for and my motivation has been shot. Your videos remind me of the inspiration, joy and creativity that exists among us. You help me daydream and bring to life worlds I never thought I could dream of. You give me new books and stories to explore. Thank you, I cannot explain in words how much of an understatement that is, but thank you.

This may sound silly, but Zatura actually really freaked me out as a kid in the sense that the familiar environment was the only environment period. The only other movie that made me feel like this was Skinamarink

I have just realized something strange. When first i've seen you, this channel was... Smaller, more petite, endearing in a strange, evedently genuine way. Now, the channel is much bigger, making animations, live dravs, a ton of effects, and i just ache to see what more you all could add to the channel. It seems like its a transation time beetween a indie project and a comunication giant. It just seems the best time to document your growth, but not the best in total, its the best of time to follow you, but there is a melancholy for better time yet to come, thath stings even more for the near certainty thath you all will improve.

I find your takes on human frailty refreshing

I don't know this story, but I'll have to look into it. In a lot of ways, it makes me think of my dear, sweet mother, who passed away back in 2020. She was the one who really got me into stories and writing in the first place. Great stuff, y'all. Much love.

I havent read this story, yet, but based off of the retelling in this, I think a big theme is the concept of 'the norm might not be the best path for everyone' or 'what is expected to be good, wont always make everyone happy'. The sisters went from a life that was planned out, they were to grow up, get married, give children to their husbands and be an object in a pretty house. Then they become the witches of the town. They are called killers. They are hated. And then they lose their house and eventually the people of the town leave offerings for them, like they are spirits to be appeased. And in the end, they are happy. The culture of the time was so set in stone. As a woman, you had your life planned out and you were to be happy with it. You were expected to be happy with it. But this, this is such a deviation from that path, and yet they are happy. Other than the family murders, Im happy for them. And if this reflects the feelings of the author, I am so sad for her. This whole story could be seen as something she would have rather gone though if she could. How she would have been happier in a burnt down house, alone with only 1 person, but that one person truly loves you, and she would have been happier there than where she ended up, the idyllic 50's house wife. And honestly, same. I would rather be alone, in a burnt down hovel, given offerings as if I am an angry god, than to be under the yoke of expectations that pruned away all that I am and could have been. Dont murder anyone, but definitely seek a path that brings you joy in the face of expectation and conformity. There is nothing wrong with the standard, but if that standard expects you to deform yourself to fit it? Screw it, be a witch in the woods. At least you'd be free to be you.

Ooh I love “We Have Always Lived in the Castle.” Shirley Jackson was amazing

I can be somewhat sympathetic toward Merricat. We all have our little bubbles to protect us. I may be much more interested in the lives of video game protagonists than my own. However, not facing reality is also a bad alternative

Great video as always! I think any of Wildbow’s works would be great for a video: Worm - a deconstruction of the superhero genre Pact / Pale - Why it would suck to live in a supernatural fantasy/horror setting Twig - A lesson in biopunk

In regards to something you said towards the end, I don't think it's all that worthwhile to wonder what more she may have done if she hadn't been stuck to her housewife role. Her writing (and the same for any author) would be shaped by her life circumstances and experiences, for good and bad.

Kind of weird that this topic would pop up on Tale Foundry as I just recently started reading “We Have Always Lived in the Castle.”

I remember having to analyse this book for high school. Thanks for resurfacing the trauma :) Good to see what an actual master of literature makes the of the symbolism and ideologies in the novel!

In a paradoxical way the title is more disturbing than if it stated the oposite

I compare Shirley Jackson to Ursula le Guin. Both women were housewives that only wrote when the chores were done. Jackson was sad, Ursula was serene and joyful. Le Guin's husband loved and respected her. Le Guin's mother adored her and supported her emotionally. I think you can see the difference.

3:07 no one can save me! The damage is done!

I've read a ton of Jackson's works and i love her writing a ton, I'm so happy you decided to cover her stuff

One of the best domestic horror novels I've read in ages is "Sinister House" by Leland Hall. It was, as far as I can tell, one of the only books they wrote and it's fucking phenomenal. It's about a family who moves into the suburbs and get caught up in the strange, supernatural goings on with their neighbors that culminates in one of the freakiest scenes I've encounters in a dog's age. I've been recommending it to everyone I know who's into that particular genre. There's also a lot of commentary on what we call toxic masculinity today going on between certain characters which was super rare for horror written in the mid-thirties.

This is my favorite yet.

This is completely unrelated to the video and I know you don't read manga or watch anime very often but after watching a bunch of your videos I think you would really like Monster by Naoki Urasawa I'd love to see what you think about it if you do read or watch it😄

I like the speed paints!

I don't like this story, however... It reminds us on how important it is to allow our loved one's their own agency and to NEVER abuse them. (I'm talking about Mary Cat btw, *she* is the rotten husband symbol of the story)

One of these days, I'm actually going to read this book.

When I first saw the thumbnail I expected this to be about "House of Leaves" but I'm pleasantly surprised by the actual topic of the video

How writing can make ya feel for a murderer.

Its like if Wednesday Adams wasn't having any fun

Great video! And I love the animations ❤

I’ve been waiting for thisssss

Rest in peace Uncle Julian, you were a real one.

For anime fans I do believe if you need a literary representation of a yandere here you go

Even before watching this, it seems like this place is not a safe place

i would love to listen to a podcast or audiobook from you

Posted 20 minutes ago??? Wow! I'm early for once.

Finally, a book I’ve actually read!!!!

I love domestic horror, this is what a lot of my shirt stories are about

I have a lot of respect for TaleFoundry so I’ll be writing my notification below

14:10 I’d rather be someone’s wife (I’m a man)

Oh. I watched this on Nebula. Nice 👍🏾

the intro music is so heart touching that i almost feel it. wery cool one.

I've been on a Magnus Archives binge so I half expected to hear "and their brother Martin" in the beginning 😅

YES AUTHOR SELF REPORT SO HARD IN THEIR WORK 🗿🤞

Don’t tell the Brackens about this house

It's implied that Merricat poisons her family because her parents were planning to have her institutionalized/sent away for her odd behaviors.

“The Witch” by Shirley Jackson is one of her best short writings, completely subverts expectations in just a few pages

Oh this is really intresting i haven't thought about this type of horror apoliges for the deseption jon but i wanted to make sure you started reading

Second on.

This was a great video! Shirley Jackson's The Lottery was assigned reading when I was in high school and the story has stayed with me to this day because of how chilling it was. And also of course because of Mrs. Jackson's incredible writing! Now I want to read this story!

I thought this was house of leaves for a good minute

Shirley Jackson, for all the praise she receives (and rightly so), doesn't get the praise she truly deserves. If ya'll want to experience one of the best things ever, David Warner did an audiobook of The Haunting Of Hill House and it's, legit, incredible.

I dont know if you've covered it yet but if you haven't i would love to see a video about AM, the ai that gained sentience in i have no mouth and i must scream by harlan ellison

A disturbing masterpiece of a novel. I love Jackson's writing, but I never approach her stories without trepidation. The horror is all the more horrible for being subtle.

During the comparison of the sisters, I adored watching the art shading get filled. I really enjoy your technique! I learned something tangentially to this video content! Thanks! Now, back to finish the video. Edit: loved this one! Keep up the wonderful work!

I'd like to believe Joyce Carol Oates took over the mantle when Jackson died...I love her stories too

Easily my favorite book as a kid. Haven't gotten around to the film yet, but it's on my list.

OMG I own We Have Always Lived in the Castle! I recognized the intro immediately, it's such a wonderful book & has such a unique concept. I'm glad you made a video centering around it & domestic horror in general, it's a very underutilized idea :)

Yay! An episode on Shirley Jackson! I’ve been waiting for this one. Also, it’s driving me nuts. What’s the name and artist of the song during your sponsor segment. I can’t tell if it’s by Boards of Canada, Zero 7, or Air, but I feel like I’ve heard it before.

you know it's gonna be dark one someone's named constance

Constance blackwood? Ride the cyclone??

I wonder if this book was an influence on such films as "Practical Magic," which deals with an socially outcast family of witches implicated in their various husbands' deaths, or George Romero's "Season of the Witch," in which a woman feeling oppressed by the patriarchy finds liberation through practicing witchcraft and causing the death of her husband.

Great video 👍

9th non-rain world video since rain world stream. Almost 2 months!

The author was forced to marry a man who proudly told her who he has slept with lately and was forced to care for children while she obviously has had other passions, if she was in our time she could have justice but patriarchy destroyed her. I never forgive that.

If she hadn’t felt obligated to play that role… would she have written the same stories?

PLEASE make more of these book retellings! I love how the narration and Taleoids contribute to the story!

I haven’t watched the video yet, but i want to leave my mark early. I’ll probably edit in a more meaningful comment Edit: so pretty much this is an amazing example of how problems in society such as sexism can cause people to rebel, sometimes at the cost of others. It’s a good reflection of some of the biggest issues in our world right now.

The realization that Merricat was the killer started for me early on, and if you go back and look, Jackson does an amazing job laying the groundwork for it. Also, there's a reading that the magic worked: she says the "magic words" (thus jinxing them) just before things start to go "bad".

Magical thinking: not walking on the 3rd cover panel of a telecoms pavement junction! Iykyk

After reading the comment section, I genuinely find it horrifying that despite two clear murders with no remorse just a favorable narrative is making ppl look at her as the wronged victim and not the monster she is. Honestly the villagers are actually more humane than her.

I've never read the book but I watched the movie. Its been a while tho but I remember finding it very intresting

The moment I saw the house I thought you are going to talk about the house.wmd mod in Doom which by the way was inspired by a book called the House of Leaves. I hope you review that book someday too.

Yep, freedom, even broken freedom is better than being forced into being a housewife and mother.

I've read this book

Shirley Jackson’s one of those authors that makes me feel Sympathetic for them and Intrigues me.

0:34 ride the cyclone brain goes wooooooooo

I need to comment this because holy crap, that was so good: around 7:13 Edit: I'm🌿💨 & already forgot what I was trying to timestamp and why. But hopefully I can figure it out tomorrow 😅

Make a video about "Slay the princes"

Being a wife is way better than being a witch.

Oh now i see

Yay, A Shirley Jackson themed episode!😯😃

Anyone else getting Violet Evergarden vibes from the Intro melody and video? 😅

This was very interesting

you need to do a video about the video game (more like, visual novel) called slay the princess.

i think i have dementia i think i have dementia

I feel like we'd been here already