# XVII explained — The Blue Castle

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

## What happens

Valancy has lived at Roaring Abel's for a week and feels completely separated from her old life. She finds happiness in her new freedom, caring for Cissy, cleaning the house, and enjoying the natural beauty around her. Cissy is dying but finds comfort in Valancy's presence. Valancy shares her secret 'Blue Castle' with Cissy, who understands.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Liberation and Rebellion

Valancy feels years removed from her old life, enjoying freedom from family constraints and the ability to live on her own terms.

### Nature and Beauty

Valancy finds solace in the northern twilights, barrens, and wood-flowers, quoting John Foster's philosophy of leaving flowers untouched.

### Mortality and Carpe Diem

Cissy's impending death and Valancy's own heart condition underscore the preciousness of time and the choice to live fully.

## Character check-ins

### Valancy Stirling

Valancy feels liberated from her old life, enjoys her new freedom, cleans the house, and cares for Cissy. She shares her 'Blue Castle' secret with Cissy.

### Cecily Gay

Cissy is dying but finds happiness in Valancy's company. She clings to Valancy like a child and shares her own lost 'Blue Castle'.

### Roaring Abel Gay

Abel is often away, comes home late and drunk, but is good-natured. He appreciates Valancy's cooking and her boldness in speaking back to him.

### Barney Snaith

Mentioned as Abel's companion for shooting and fishing; Valancy knows he is not the one who destroyed Cissy's Blue Castle.

## Key lines

> It is a pity to gather wood-flowers. They lose half their witchery away from the green and the flicker. The way to enjoy wood-flowers is to track them down to their remote haunts⁠—gloat over them⁠—and then leave them with backward glances, taking with us only the beguiling memory of their grace and fragrance.

Wood-flowers should be admired in their natural setting, not picked, because their magic fades when removed.

_Valancy reads this John Foster passage to Cissy, reflecting her appreciation for nature's untouched beauty._

> What is the use of getting in a rage?

Why bother getting angry?

_Valancy asks Abel this question, and he replies that it's a relief, showing their candid relationship._

> Everyone has a Blue Castle, I think. Only everyone has a different name for it.

Everyone has a private dream or ideal world, though they may call it something else.

_Cissy responds to Valancy's confession about her Blue Castle, revealing her own lost dream._

## Links

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