Women have been considered to be under the rule of their fathers until they marry, when they come under the rule of their husbands. For example, the family name is traditionally passed down through the male line, and sons have traditionally inherited family property instead of daughters. Laws and social rules surrounding family structure have long been patrilineal, defining family power and identity solely based on men. To understand Merricat’s attitude towards family, one needs to consider more broadly the gendered history and structure of the family. While Merricat’s attitude towards family might seem to be chaotic and illogical, Jackson’s portrayal of the gendered nature of family life and the tendency for the traditional nuclear family to oppress women gives insight into Merricat’s extreme actions and desires. On the other hand, Merricat has murdered her parents, her brother, and her aunt, and she lives with her uncle who survived the murders simply due to luck. On one hand, the only person in the world whom Merricat loves is her sister, Constance, and almost everything Merricat does is motivated by this love. Family is an intensely fraught subject in this novel.
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