Emily of New Moon · Chapter
The Book of Yesterday explained
Emily spends her first Saturday and Sunday at New Moon, exploring the house and grounds with Cousin Jimmy.
What happens
Emily spends her first Saturday and Sunday at New Moon, exploring the house and grounds with Cousin Jimmy. He takes her to the family graveyard and tells her the stories of the Murrays, including how old Hugh Murray's wife insisted on staying on Prince Edward Island, and the epitaph 'Here I stay' that Hugh put on her grave. Emily learns about family traditions, the Murray pride, and the history of the burying-ground.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Belonging
Emily learns about her Murray ancestors and the family burying-ground, deepening her sense of belonging to New Moon.
Pride and Social Class
Cousin Jimmy discusses the Murray pride and the family's exclusivity in having their own graveyard.
Secrecy and Truth
The epitaph 'Here I stay' reveals old Hugh's lingering resentment toward his wife, a hidden truth in family history.
Characters to notice
- Emily Byrd Starr
Explores New Moon and the family graveyard, learns Murray family history from Cousin Jimmy.
- Cousin Jimmy Murray
Shows Emily the graveyard and tells her the stories of the Murrays, including old Hugh and his wife.
- Aunt Elizabeth Murray
Scolds Emily for kissing the cat and decides Emily will not go to church due to lack of suitable clothing.
- Aunt Laura Murray
Sets the breakfast table and is mentioned as part of the household at New Moon.
- Saucy Sal
Sits on the doorstep and has already fought the barn cats; Emily kisses her.
- Hugh Murray
The ancestor who settled at New Moon; his wife's epitaph 'Here I stay' is discussed.
Key passages
“If it be true that we 'count time by heart throbs' Emily lived two years in it instead of two days.”
Emily's first weekend at New Moon felt so intense and full of new impressions that it seemed to last much longer than two days.
Highlights the emotional richness of Emily's early experiences at New Moon.
“Here I stay.”
This epitaph on Mary Murray's grave was old Hugh's way of expressing his lingering resentment.
Illustrates the theme of family grudges and the Murray tradition.