# The Book of Yesterday explained — Emily of New Moon

> Chapter companion for Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/vii-the-book-of-yesterday
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters