I Capture the Castle-Setting (original) (raw)

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angua9 on February 4th, 2006 04:11 am (UTC)

You know, it's funny. When people were recommending this novel, they constantly mentioned the setting (the castle) as one of its main charms. I remember the setting as a strong element of the novel. But I'm not sure how it actually means anything or affects the plot or theme.

The only thing I can put forward is that the uniqueness of their home reflects or even creates the uniqueness of the Mortmain family. It either makes them eccentric or gives them permission to be eccentric. And that uniqueness (of the castle and of the family members) is what attracts the Cottons to them. That's all I've got. :)

I like your point about the uniqueness being what attracts the Cottons. I also think Simon's somewhat patronizing view of the castle and family, as well as, the isolation and loneliness Cassandra may have been feeling on Midsummer's Eve probably contributed a lot to what happened between them.

For some reason, and I have no real justification for this, the castle never grabbed my imagination. . .the scenes where she's describing the castle or her winter rituals are some of my least favorite. Certainly, it works very well as a setting and gets the eccentric impoverishment across, but I never really felt the castle the way I did the characters.

miss_eponine on February 4th, 2006 07:01 pm (UTC)

I love old buildings, and the castle setting seemed very poetic.

Castles are usually very grand and are often associated with wealth, and the juxtaposition of the palatial with poverty was interesting. A building that's past its prime housing a writer/family that's seemingly past their prime. I don't think the story would have worked as well if the Mortmains lived in a run-down house or in any other setting.

the castle setting seemed very poetic

Yes! Castles have a very romantic connotation, and Cassandra seemed to fancy herself as some sort of heroine at various points in her journal. The castle helped define the characters, specifically Cassandra. I also like the parallels of the run down, past its prime castle and the seemingly washed up Mr. Mortmain.

geezer_also on February 5th, 2006 06:05 pm (UTC)

"I don't think the story would have worked as well if the Mortmains lived in a run-down house or in any other setting."

I couldn't agree more, while the characters are the main point of the story, the castle itself is what made or at least defined Cassandra, and to a great extent Rose. At least that is my opinion.

The castle is central to all the most important events in the story (along with the tower). I can't see Simon and Niel getting too excited over inhearting a house like the Gaunts lived in..:D