# XXIX: Sacrilege explained — Emily of New Moon

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

## What happens

Aunt Elizabeth discovers Emily's letters to her deceased father, Douglas Starr, in which Emily had expressed her true feelings about Aunt Elizabeth. A fierce confrontation ensues, with Emily defending her privacy and the sanctity of her letters. Though Emily wins the battle, she is left with a deep sense of guilt and sorrow over having hurt Aunt Elizabeth.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Truth

Emily's private letters to her father are discovered by Aunt Elizabeth, leading to a conflict over the right to keep secrets and the painful truth of Emily's feelings.

### Family and Belonging

The confrontation strains Emily's place at New Moon, and she fears being sent away, highlighting the fragile nature of her belonging.

### Individuality vs. Conformity

Emily insists on her need to write stories despite Aunt Elizabeth's prohibition, asserting her creative individuality against family expectations.

## Character check-ins

### Emily Byrd Starr

Defends her letters and privacy against Aunt Elizabeth's intrusion, but later feels remorse for the hurt she caused.

### Aunt Elizabeth Murray

Discovers and reads Emily's private letters, leading to a confrontation; feels both anger and shame.

### Aunt Laura Murray

Delivers the summons to Emily that Aunt Elizabeth wants to see her in the parlour.

### Cousin Jimmy Murray

Mentioned as someone who also writes poetry, but his accident has left him childlike.

### Douglas Starr

Emily's deceased father, to whom she wrote the letters that Aunt Elizabeth reads.

## Key lines

> I just want you to understand how it is that I have to write.

Emily tries to explain to Aunt Elizabeth that writing is an essential part of her, not a choice.

_Emily's plea for understanding in the face of Aunt Elizabeth's prohibition._

> Sacrilege had been committed—the most sacred shrine of her soul had been profaned.

Emily feels that Aunt Elizabeth reading her private letters is a violation of her innermost self.

_Emily's intense reaction to the invasion of her privacy._

> Something in her was hurt because she had hurt Aunt Elizabeth—for she felt that Aunt Elizabeth, under all her anger, was hurt.

Emily begins to feel remorse, realizing that her harsh words have wounded Aunt Elizabeth deeply.

_Emily's growing empathy and guilt after the confrontation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxix-sacrilege
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters