# XV explained — The Blue Castle

> Chapter companion for The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery.

## What happens

Valancy's family reacts with horror and outrage after she leaves to keep house for Roaring Abel and nurse Cissy Gay. Mrs. Frederick, Uncle Benjamin, Uncle James, and Cousin Stickles express their shock, disbelief, and concern for the family's reputation, while Valancy's defiant words and actions are recounted.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Liberation and Rebellion

Valancy's decision to leave her family and defy societal expectations to care for Cissy Gay represents a bold act of self-liberation and rebellion against her oppressive upbringing.

### Fear and Conformity

The family's horror and focus on reputation and appearances highlight the theme of fear and conformity, as they prioritize social standing over Valancy's autonomy and Cissy's humanity.

## Character check-ins

### Valancy Stirling

Defies her family by leaving to care for Cissy Gay and keep house for Roaring Abel, declaring she is going to look for her 'Blue Castle' and no longer cares about appearances.

### Mrs. Stirling

Distraught and weeping over Valancy's departure, she recounts Valancy's rebellious statements and feels disgraced.

### Uncle James

Criticizes Mrs. Stirling for letting Valancy go and suggests Valancy's mind is affected.

### Uncle Benjamin

Calls for calm, denounces Valancy's actions as outrageous, and plans to consult Ambrose Marsh.

### Cousin Stickles

Laments that Valancy will no longer rub her back at night and reluctantly reveals Valancy said 'Oh, darn!'

## Key lines

> I said, 'Doss, where are you going ?' and she said, 'I am going to look for my Blue Castle.'

Mrs. Stirling asked Valancy where she was going, and Valancy replied that she was going to search for her Blue Castle.

_Valancy's metaphorical 'Blue Castle' represents her dream of freedom and happiness._

> I said to her solemnly, 'Doss, when a woman's reputation is once smirched nothing can ever make it spotless again. Your character will be gone forever if you go to Roaring Abel's to wait on a bad girl like Sis Gay.' And she said, 'I don't believe Cissy was a bad girl, but I don't care if she was.'

Mrs. Stirling warned Valancy that her reputation would be ruined if she went to care for Cissy Gay, but Valancy dismissed the concern, saying she didn't believe Cissy was bad and didn't care even if she was.

_Highlights Valancy's rejection of societal judgment and her prioritization of compassion over reputation._

> I asked Doss if she had no regard for appearances. She said, 'I've been keeping up appearances all my life. Now I'm going in for realities. Appearances can go hang!'

When asked about appearances, Valancy declared she had spent her life maintaining them and was now choosing to focus on real life, dismissing appearances entirely.

_Valancy's statement marks a turning point in her character, embracing authenticity over social pretense._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blue_castle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters