“Everybody knows everything about everyone but no one ever tittle-tattles because then someone else'll tell on them. But you don't matter—it's open slather on outcasts.”
Tilly faced scrutiny and bullying in childhood for being an illegitimate child and also acted as a scapegoat for other's transgressions. Tilly and Molly are rendered outcasts in the community which prompts Tilly to go into exile in Europe for years. In her return, she still faces the same prejudice and hatred further accentuated by the fact she is cultured, eccentric, and talented. As such, she is the target of the town’s judgments and more accusations that places her at fault without much proof. Molly points out that the town is full of scandals and dark secrets hence the holier-than-thou act is a display of their hypocrisy. Accordingly, the text demonstrates that the town faults the non-conformists to absolve themselves from their indiscretions.
“But you want them to like you…They're all liars, sinners and hypocrites.”
Having suffered in the hands of the townspeople for a prolonged period Tilly occasionally develops an inferiority complex. Even though she is sophisticated, gifted, and morally upright, she finds that the criticisms from them make her question herself. In the quotation, Molly consoles her daughter by claiming that the self-righteous act by the townsfolk is just that, an act. Though Tilly faces condemnation, she finds support from the few individuals close to her offering reassurance of her worth.
“It will be our revenge and our reason. I have made it my catalyst and my propeller. It seems only fair don't you think?”
Although Tilly is forced into a victim mentality from the amount of animosity she receives, she triumphs in the end. Cruel treatment only pushes the target to the edge demanding an outburst of extreme reaction as retaliation. She decides to seek vengeance against the town by setting fire to the entire residence. Her actions are justified for the mistreatment she has had to endure without any explanation whosoever. The narrative reaches a crescendo when Tilly reclaims her dignity and place in the world by punishing the town for its transgressions.
