motor yacht captain salary

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How Much Does a Yacht Captain Make?

Captains of luxury yachts command a base salary well into six figures. Dependent on the length of the vessel, tenure of experience, and level of licensing yacht captain salaries range from $48,000 to over $300,000.

As the length of yachts increases, the complexity of the position of captain escalates. Although the job of yacht captain is often portrayed as one of luxury and leisure, it is a career choice of vast responsibility. While the exact details of a job description vary from program to program, the captain is the CEO of a small corporation. He/she reports to the Chairman of the Board - the yacht owner.

The Luxury Yacht Group webpage presents salary guidelines. Variation within the ranges reflect license level, experience and longevity of the captain 1 .

Additional parts of the salary package include bonuses, health insurance, flight expenses, paid vacation, training and certification cost reimbursement, and uniforms. Because the position requires residency aboard the vessel 24/7 all food and sundries are routinely supplied to crew. If the yacht is available for charter, the captain will also earn tips from charter guests. The industry is unique and each vessel in it has individual programs.

An average mega yacht with 12 crew has operating expenses between four and ten million dollars. The budget is based on where the yacht is moored, whether it is available for charter, and its travel destinations. On some yachts, a management company or a part of the owner’s business network handles accounting and makes financial decisions. On other yachts, the captain manages all aspects of the budget, chooses what charters to take and where to station the boat between charters, when and where to have yard work, and all personnel decisions.

A basic list of captain job responsibilities includes:

• Ultimate safety for passengers, crew, environment & vessel
• Achieving owner’s objectives?
• Crew hiring and dismissal?
• Personnel management?
• Shipyard/project management?
• Legal and regulatory compliance?
• Navigation?

Ultimate safety

The Captain holds the life of all aboard in his hands. He is also held accountable for the yacht itself and the environment. He must understand the mechanics of the boat, all electronic tools aboard, international regulatory requirements, and rules of the flag state.

Achieving owner’s objectives

Owner objectives are broad ranging. The captain is the mouthpiece for the interests of the owner. He holds the responsibility to reach outcomes which benefit the owner. The owner may simply require the captain to provide luxury service when he (she) is aboard. Some owners regularly use the vessel with family and guests, others may be aboard only occasionally. Charter periods for the vessel also factor into the objectives of the owner.

Crew hiring and dismissal

The requirements of the Marine Labor Convention (MLC) for contracting, dismissing, and managing are explicit and require strict adherence. Throughout any hiring or dismissal, the safety of the vessel and owner as well as issues of confidentiality must be assured by the captain. Identifying the best employees for the program involve a balance of certification, experience and personality.

Personnel management

Managing between 12 and 40 regular crew members aboard a mega/superyacht, day workers and seasonal hires is routine. From dive master, to stewardess, chef, and ETO, the captain must have a working knowledge of the positions and set expectations for performance. In a multi-cultural environment (both guests and crew), the example the captain sets for work ethic, responsibility, and communication optimizes yacht operations. The challenge is complicated by the close quarters of crew accommodations and the group working/living together 24/7.

Shipyard/project management

The Captain oversees issues of time and costs for routine maintenance and vessel upgrades. Knowledge of register and flag requirements are tools the captain uses to define the project, obtain quotes, and supervise the work.

Legal and regulatory

The maritime industry is dynamic. In addition to the flag state and regulatory requirements mentioned above, the captain must remain current with all Maritime Guidance Notices (MGN), Maritime Information Notes (MIN), amendments to all international marine safety codes, and product notices. A knowledge of the global differences in regulations, enforcement agencies and regional mores is critical.

Each vessel has a different business model. At a minimum, the captain is responsible for budget oversight and financial record keeping. If the owner engages a management company, the captain is the interface between the yacht and that organization.

The classic definition of a captain’s job is that of a navigator. Safely plotting a course, following the course, docking and departing from berths are all fundamental vessel handling skills. A seasoned captain has personal familiarity of cruising geographies. Despite the importance and skills required, a small percentage of a captain’s time is dedicated to task.

How does that list of responsibilities distill into the profile of a captain? It takes decades of training, hours logged, certification, and experience to reach the level of performance required to captain a mega/super yacht. In addition to each of those quantifiable requirements, elements of character and temperament differentiate captains.

• Calm and charismatic personality?
• Superior leadership, communication, management and diplomacy skills?
• Excellent boat handling and navigational skills?
• Excellent ISM and ISPS knowledge and practices?
• Excellent maintenance, engineering and technical / troubleshooting experience?
• Ability to remain calm and give directions in an emergency situation?
• Organized and methodical?
• Financial management, business acumen, management skills?
• Languages and cultural sensitivity
• Extensive maritime licensing

Leadership of the crew involves training, coaching and refereeing. When a captain steps into the position of leadership on a large vessel, it is understood that he has ten years (minimum) of increasing responsibility. Training and education were used during that decade to resolve situations without damage to vessel, harm of the environment, or human injury.

As manager and protector of the owner’s investment, the captain negotiates for goods and services. When issues arise, it is the captain who develops options and makes recommendations. Using the comparison to a traditional business, the CEO (captain) and the President of the Board (owner) interface on strategic decisions.

The mega yacht captain is more than just an asset manager. The captain implements owner preferences in order to assure him the best yachting experience. Once an owner has determined the style of yacht he wants to own - how, when, where they want to use vessel - costs of operating and budget generalities are defined. The ultimate goal of captain and crew is the happiness of the owner(s) and their guests. Crew is the primary factor in the owner/guest experience and in a successful program. The captain fully understands and manages the limitations of vessel and crew.

As vessels increased in length, machinery and electronics increased in complexity. In parallel with those changes, regulatory agencies and flag states requirements escalated. The requirements of International Safety Management Code (ISM) and International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS) reflect the challenges of operating a mega yacht. The captain holds responsibility for implementing all requirements aboard and remaining current with the changes made to respond to new issues within the industry.

During the last decade, the number of superyacht hulls nearly doubled. Based on the 2010 Global Order Book, the superyacht industry managed to grow even during the financial crisis of 2008. The Knight Frank Wealth Report (2016) for the decade concluded that the wealth required to maintain a yacht appears impervious to economic cycles. It does project a slight worldwide slowing of the number of ultra-high-networth individuals during the upcoming decade.

How does that economic data translate into job opportunity for yacht captains who have followed the established career path? How resilient is the opportunity during periods like the global downturn experienced in 2008?

Marcy Laturno, Director of Crew Placement & Charter Specialist at Luxury Yacht Group answered:

A long-term mega yacht captain added:

Securing a position as captain aboard mega and super yachts is competitive. Although new builds are released every year, each year there are additional individuals who have established professional credentialing and adequate experience aboard. Professional captains seek positions where they can assemble a stable crew, build longevity and establish a relationship with the yacht owner.

The position of mega/super yacht captain commands a salary which reflects the level of responsibility and the years of personal and professional development. A relatively small number of positions creates a competitive job market where longevity and experience are rewarded.

• Luxury Yacht Group website

Engineering License Changes

The MCA has restructured the engineering certifications. The MEOL course has been done away with, and the AEC course made mandatory and more thorough. Luxury Yacht Group explains all these changes, what engineers progressing through the ranks can do now, and how Y ticket holders can convert their licenses over to the structure.

14 Mar 2018

A Day in the Life Series – Chief Stewardess

For a yacht to run smoothly, it requires many working parts, and the interior department is a large component of this. The chief stewardess oversees this department and makes sure all the stewardesses onboard know what their tasks and responsibilities are. The interior department is largely in charge of the guest services whilst they are onboard, and responsible for interior maintenance of the yacht when they are not.

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A Day in the Life Of Series - Entry Stewardess

Joining the yachting industry is an exciting and daunting undertaking. In this two part interview we speak with Melanie about why she decided to join the superyacht industry, what her hopes and goals are, and what she has learnt so far as an entry level stewardess.

29 Nov 2017

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What is a Yacht Captain Salary?

As yachts get bigger they tend to require more crew members who are more skilled at their jobs and that includes a good yacht captain. The pay range for a yacht captain can vary greatly and for less experienced captains on smaller vessels it may start around $45,000 while it can range up to as much as $300,000 or more for very skilled captains on larger luxury yachts. 

Let’s take a look at what can affect a yacht captain’s salary and what you can expect to make (or pay) in this field.

Factors That Affect Yacht Captain’s Salary

Most people feel a yacht has to be at least 60 or so feet in length before it’s considered a yacht. The longest yacht in the world is the Azzam which is just shy of 600 feet long. You can imagine that the captain of the Azzam has to deal with more than the captain of a 60 foot yacht. As such, the Azzam’s captain is probably making more money.

Size of the vessel is arguably the biggest factor in what a yacht captain gets paid. You can divide yacht sizes up into three categories as it relates to yacht captains to get a better idea of the pay involved.

I’ve included some survey data here taken from Dockwalk and this was gleaned from information provided by 476 different yacht captains to give you  a pretty good idea of how much a captain makes at every single yacht size. 

Junior Captain

A Junior Captain would be captain of the smaller yachts that rank in around 60 feet up to 100 feet. Many yachts of this size may only have one or two crew members on board to help operate them. The captain of a smaller yacht like this could expect to make perhaps $45,000 to $98,000 per year or more. Obviously this can change on a case by case basis depending on the specific duties expected of the given captain.

These smaller yachts have less involved operations and are, in general, easier to run which is why the captain of a yacht of this size would likely get paid less.

Survey data from 2021 shows that most captains working on yachts in this size range average just over $8,000 per month. On the low end of that scale were yacht captains pulling in about $3,100 a month while the highest paid make around $20,000 per month. Yacht captains can also pull in gratuities as part of the crew and that averages out to around another $1,300 per month.

In the middle is a Captain of vessels that range from 100 feet all the way to 170 feet which is superyacht territory. These vessels can include a crew of several different members and will require more organization and skill to maintain and run smoothly. At this size a Captain can expect to be making anywhere from about $80,000 per year up to $180,000. 

Survey data from 2021 shows that, up to 140 feet, a superyacht captain can average about $10,100 per month. The lowest paid were making about $1,175 per month while the highest were again making around $20,000. You also pull in gratuities at this level that average just under $1,400 per month.

Yacht captains working vessels between 140 feet and about 190 feet were averaging $14,100 per month. At the low end of that scale you’re looking at $5,750 and it can go all the way up to $34,500 per month, so this is some serious money. If it’s a charter yacht, tips can reach nearly $3,000 a month as well.

Senior Master

A Senior Master is the captain of any yacht over 170 feet. This gets into megayacht territory at 200 feet and even gigayachts at 400+ feet. These captains have to be highly skill and managed not only massive crews that can include dozens of people, but a lot of more complex technology than the smaller vessels may be making use of. 

Because of the demands of this job, it’s clear that pay grades increase substantially as well which is why captains at this level can make between $140,000 and $300,000 every year. 

Survey data shows that between 180 feet and 240 feet, yacht captains had an average salary of just over $16,100 per month in 2021. That means a starting, low end salary of $9,200 per month which went all the way up to $23,250 per month. Tips closed in at just under $3,700 per month as well.

From 240 to 280 feet a yacht captain averaged just under $15,500 in 2021 which you’ll notice is oddly under the average for the next size down. The low end of the scale here paid just under $7,500 per month which is a good deal lower than the low end for slightly smaller vessels. On the high end captains were making $20,125. For whatever reason, yachts in this range just don’t pay as well as those in the 180 range, on average.

When you head to 280+ feet, the largest that the survey data was able to account for, yacht captains average about $20,500 per month. Remarkably, the low end here was $9,200 which is the same as vessels a full 100 feet shorter. However, on the high end some of these captains are making $32,000 per month. Factor in gratuities and that’s another $5,600 on average.

How Yacht Captains are Paid

Most yacht captains get paid on a monthly basis. There are freelance captains who may also work under different payment terms. One such captain who responded to the survey charged $38 per hour as a flat rate. If they were chartered for a week, that would work out to $6,384 per week assuming you expect your captain to be ready for duty 24/7 on the water.

What do the Yacht Crew Members Make?

Like the captain, crew members can make more money on larger vessels and their experience in the business and time at sea can also factor in. But in general, here are some average numbers for crew salaries to put things in perspective.

First Officer

On a smaller yacht under 100 feet a first officer may earn up to about $65,000 per year. On a much larger yacht over 200 feet they could expect $100,000+

Second Mate

The bosun mate on a smaller yacht can start earning around $45,000+ per year. On a larger yacht over 200 feet this can be bumped up to well over $65,000 per year.

At the low end of the scale, on a smaller yacht a deckhand may make around $40,000 per year. However, on a much larger yacht they could potentially earn up to $65,000 per year.

Chief Engineer

A chief engineer on a small yacht may earn as much as $80,000 per year or more. On larger yachts that top 200 feet this can get closer to $150,000 per year thanks to the much more complicated machinery they need to deal with. They may also need to repair things like jet skis.

Assistant Engineer

The assistant engineer is obviously not earning what the chief does but they can still start at $45,000 per year or so. On large yachts this can reach over $85,000.

Chief Steward

The purser on a smaller yacht can make between $54,000 and $60,000. On the larger vessels this salary can increase to over $80,000.

A steward may make as much as $42,000 on some smaller yachts while that could increase to as much as $65,000 or more on larger vessels. 

A trained chef can expect $60,000 on a small yacht and that can reach well over $105,000 on larger yachts. Many larger luxury yachts also bring in Michelin starred restaurant chefs to work for limited times and these chefs can earn quite a bit more. 

On yachts up to 100 feet, a cook can look forward to making perhaps $54,000 to $60,000 per year. On the high end of the scale, a cook on a large yacht over 200 feet might make over $84,000 per year.

Motor Yacht Captains vs Sailing Yacht Captains

On smaller yachts, the salary difference between sailing yachts and motor yachts captains is often negligible or non-existent. As vessel size increases, the salary of a sailing yacht captain will tend to outpace that of a motor yacht captain, sometimes by a lot. Larger sailing yachts are often harder to come by and require more specialized knowledge so a captain able to handle a 200 foot sailing yacht is rather rare. 

Jeff Bezos currently has the largest sailing yacht in the world at 416 feet while, as we said, the largest motor yacht is the Azzam at almost 600 feet. Though Bezos’ yacht has yet to hit the sea officially, we can assume her captain will be well compensated. 

The Bottom Line

Because yacht captains may perform a wide range of duties for their clients, their pay range can vary widely as well. The yachting industry is nothing if not malleable about things like duties, yacht operations and salary ranges. As long as a captain is skilled and experienced they can expect to make a decent salary regardless of the size of the vessel, but it will definitely increase considerably as the yacht size increases. As such, yacht captain salaries can range anywhere from $3,100 per month to $32,000 per month.

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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How Much Do Yacht Captains Make? (Numbers & Examples)

Do you love boating? The wind and the water? The smell of sunscreen and sea salt? The feel of a powerful machine beneath your hands?

If boating is your passion, you might be wondering how you can do it for a living. Well, you might be in luck.

How Much Do A Yacht Captain Make?

The captain of a yacht typically makes between $60,000 and $150,000, depending on the size of the yacht and his/her experience. On top of that, charter yacht captains will typically earn 10-15% of the price of the charter from tipping.

Here’s everything you need to know about how much a yacht captain makes.

Table of Contents

How Much Money Do Yacht Captains Make?

One of the major determining factors of salary for yacht captains is the type of license you possess, the type of yacht you work on, and your level of experience.

Yacht captains often get paid a base salary. It will typically be in the size of $60,000 to $150,000.

In addition to a base salary, they can also get:

• health insurance
• flight expenses
• paid vacation
• training reimbursement

If your position requires you reside on the vessel you are also likely to be supplied with food and sundries.

Tips are often earned on yachts that are available to be chartered.

Here’s our guide to how much you should expect to earn from tipping as a crew member on a yacht .

Different Ranges of Salaries for Yacht Captains

• If you are a captain that is operating boats that range from 60 to 100 feet, the salary range would be between $48,000 and $100,000 per year.
• A captain who operates vessels between 100 and 130 feet, can earn a salary between $90,000 and $140,000 per year.
• A captain who would operate a vessel that can range between 130 to over 160 feet, could earn anywhere between $120,000 and $180,000.
• If the vessel that you operate falls between 160 to 190 feet, your salary could be between $150,000 to $210,000.
• If you operate a vessel that is 190 feet or more you could make over $200,000 per year.

Variations to these averages can depend on factors such as owner/guest use, the qualifications that are required with the position, and the itinerary of the vessel.

How Do I Become A Yacht Captain?

After looking at the earning potential, you are probably ready to sign up! However, you cannot just get on a yacht and become the captain.

To become a yacht captain, you first need to obtain a license. There are a few different levels of Captain’s licenses and you should attend the class that will give you the highest leveled license that you can qualify for.

There are two main license types that you can get. These are the “Six-Pack Captain’s License” or the “Master License”.

The Six-Pack Captain’s License would allow you to captain a boat with up to 6 paying passengers plus crew. The vessel can only weigh 100 gross tons or less.

This license is generally used for vessels that engage in charter fishing, scuba diving, or tour cruises.

This course includes topics such as the navigational rules, navigation aids and chart plotting, electronic navigation, characteristics of weather systems, and lifesaving equipment and safety.

To qualify to get this license you need at least 360 days of documented experience in the operation of vessels with 90 of those days being within 3 years of getting the license. You also have to complete the test that is given.

Any experience that was gained before the age of 16 cannot be used.

The Master License would allow you to captain a boat with more than 6 paying passengers.

Any vessel that is authorized to carry more than 6 paying passengers requires a Master license. Boats that require this type of license can include ferry boats, harbor tour boats, whale watching vessels, and water taxis.

For the Master License, the topics include everything listed for the Six-Pack license but also includes basic seamanship skills, tides and currents, marine radio operation, pollution prevention, vessel handling skills, and emergency procedures.

Requirements for a Master License depending on which type of Master License you get.

These include:

• Master Inland: 360 days underway experience since age 16. 90 of those days must be within 3 years of getting the license. Completion of course and test.
• Master Inland/OUPV: 360 days underway experience since age 16. 90 of those days must be within 3 years of getting the license. 90 days must be outside the boundary lines. Completion of the course and test.
• Master Inland/Mate N.C.: 360 days underway experience since age 16. 90 of those days must be within 3 years of getting the license. 180 days must be outside the boundary lines. Completion of the course and test.
• Master Near Coastal: 720 days underway experience since age 16. 90 of those days must be within 3 years of getting the license. 360 days must be outside the boundary lines. Completion of the course and test.

Other Requirements Include:

• A Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC Card).
• You must be 19 years or older.
• Pass a physical examination.
• Pass a drug test.
• CPR/First Aid Training.

In addition to your license, you can also add endorsements.

These endorsements include a towing endorsement that would allow you to assist vessels in need for a fee, or sail or auxiliary sail endorsement which would allow you to operate a sailing or auxiliary sail vessel.

These endorsements are not required but may help you find a wider variety of jobs.

You also need a captain’s license if you are choosing to be a fishing guide. A fishing guide is the captain of a fishing vessel that holds paying passengers.

What is the Work Schedule Like for a Yacht Captain?

A six-figure salary can come with hard work and high levels of responsibility. 

While a yacht owner might only utilize their vessel between 6-8 weeks a year, you will most likely work all year. 

Your average year could consist of between 6-8 weeks of work with the owner, 10-12 additional weeks of work if the vessel is chartered, and another 8-10 weeks spend moving the yacht between ports.

The job duties of a yacht captain can include:

• The ultimate safety of the passengers, crew, environment, and vessel.
• Following the instructions of the yacht’s owner.
• Crew hiring and dismissal as well as general personnel management.
• Training and coaching the rest of the crew.
• Legal and regulatory compliance.
• Navigation including plotting a safe course, following the plotted course, docking and departing.
• Management of the ship’s maintenance and upgrades.
• Management of the vessel’s finances, porting options, and other accounting.
• Negotiating for goods and services for the vessel.

There are personality traits better fitted to this job than others.

The ideal personality traits of a captain include:

• A calm personality especially in an emergency situation.
• Superior leadership, communication, and management skills.
• Diplomacy skills.
• Organized and methodical behaviors.
• Knowledge of other languages and cultural sensitivity.

In addition to these personality traits you should also have the following skills:

• Boat handling and navigation skills that can come from acquiring a license.
• International Safety Management (ISM) and International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) knowledge.
• Maintenance and engineering/troubleshooting experience.
• Financial management skills.
• The proper licensing.

The captain of a yacht is more than just a manager of people and assets. They are the manager of an experience. It is the captain’s job to run the vessel according to owner preferences to ensure the best experience.

The ultimate goal of the captain and the crew should be the happiness and experience of the owner and his guests.

Once the owner of the vessel describes what type of yacht he wants to own and how, when and where they would like to use the vessel, the rest of the management is often clearly defined.

It is up to the captain to maintain these standards and stay within the boundaries set forth by the owner. After all, without an owner of the vessel, the captain would not have a job.

The captain should also concern himself with the safety of all the passengers, other vessels, the environment they are in, and the vessel itself.

How Much Money Does It Cost to Run A Yacht?

For an average mega yacht that operates with 12 crew members, your expenses for the operation could be anywhere between 4 and 10 million dollars.

This budget is based on where your yacht is moored, whether your yacht is available for charter, and where the travel destinations are.

Making these decisions can be the responsibility of a management company or can fall to the captain of the vessel.

These decisions include all aspects of the budget, what charters to take, where to station the vessel between charters, when to service the boat, and where to get it serviced when you do.

If you are intending to own a yacht and run it, in addition to the crew and the above expenses you will also be looking at spending money on food, drinks, and other amenities that are needed while on your voyage.

Overall, Yacht owning is an expensive hobby. One of the biggest expenses is the pay and benefits for the crew. 

If you work on a yacht you should have no trouble turning your passion into a prosperous career with high earning potential.

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Yacht Crew Salaries: Complete Guide to What Yacht Crew Earn

It’s no secret that the impressive yacht crew salaries attract most people into the exclusive yachting world.

Junior deckhands or stewardesses can earn starting salaries of $3000 per month. With a few years of experience and some courses to back you up, this amount moves up towards $4000-$4500 per month!

In order to compile this superyacht crew salary guideline, I have taken 10 of the top yachting platforms and used all of their data, combined with my personal experience, to reach an average salary expectation for each position.

Table of Contents

How Much do you Make Working on a Yacht?

Yacht Captain Salary

• 20m-30m: $4000-$7500
• 30m-40m: $5500-$9500
• 40m-50m: $8000-$15000
• 50m-70m: $13000-$19000
• 70m+: $16500+

Requirements of a Yacht Captain

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 years of experience as Chief Officer/Mate and more than 5 years of experience as a Captain for larger yachts
• Minimum level of Qualification: 200ton licence which allows you to drive vessels below 200tons

The Captain has the highest level of responsibility onboard the yacht and hence they earn the most out of all the yacht crew salaries.

Captains are accountable for the overall safety of the yacht, crew members and guests.

They also handle daily operations of the yacht, guests, and owner liaison. They deal with management companies, port control, budgets, human resources, and many more tasks and logistics that make the job demanding and stressful.

On top of this, Captains are required to hold high levels of certifications depending on the size of the yacht they are driving.

Yacht Captain salaries can sky rocket with higher levels of qualifications.

If you are looking to become a Yacht Captain one day I recommend looking into the courses required so you can get started with licenses and sea time. It takes time to get there, but when you do it will be worth it.

Chief Officer Yacht Salary

• 30m-40m: $4000-$6000
• 40m-50m: $4500-$7500
• 50m-70m: $5500-$9000
• 70m+: $8000+

Requirements of a Chief Officer

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 Years
• Minimum level of qualification: Officer of the Watch

The Chief Officer is second in command to the Captain and is responsible for carrying out the Captain’s standing orders.

On smaller yachts, the Chief Officer is referred to as the Mate.

The Chief Officer is responsible for carrying out the safety duties onboard and assisting in the bridge with paperwork and navigational planning.

The Chief Officer is also responsible for leading and managing their deck team, ensuring crew are following their duties as well as managing the water sports and guest activities.

The salary of a Chief Officer depends heavily on the license held.

Bosun Yacht Salary

• Years of experience needed: 2-3 years
• Minimum level of qualification: Yacht Master Offshore
• A yacht Bosun salary can vary between $4000 and $6000.

Responsibilities of a Bosun

The Bosun is essentially the Lead Deckhand onboard. A lead deckhand salary on a larger vessel will be similar to that of a bosun salary on a smaller vessel.

This is an opportunity to step up from being a deckhand and gain some experience in a leadership role. This position is in place for larger yachts so that when the Officer is busy with bridge duties, someone is in charge on deck.

Yacht Deckhand Salary

Years of experience needed: 0

• Minimum level of qualification: None needed, however Power Boat Level 2 and Yacht Master offshore will put you at a great advantage
• Entry-level yacht crew salaries start at $3000 and can go as high as $4000/$4500.

Responsibilities of a Deckhand

A Deckhand is an entry-level role on a yacht.

You need to spend a few years (or less) as a Deckhand in order to learn and gain experience so that you can step up in the ranks and obtain your licenses.

This role will be very hands-on in maintaining the exterior of the yacht. Duties will include cleaning, polishing, varnishing, sanding, caulking, and any other maintenance work required.

Chief Steward / Chief Stewardess Salary

• 30m-40m :$4500-$5500
• 40m-50m :$5000-$7000
• 50m-70m- $5500-$8000
• 70m+: $7500+

Responsibilities of a Chief Stewardess/Steward

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 years
• Minimum level of qualification: Depending on the size of the vessel you may need courses such as Food Hygiene and Safety, Silver Service, WSET, or a Purser course

The Chief Stewardess or Steward is responsible for all the interior operations of the yacht .

They are responsible for managing the interior team, and ensuring the interior of the yacht is maintained to the highest standards. Besides cleaning and laundry schedules , this also includes provisioning for crew and guests, budgeting, accounting, and training of junior crew.

Steward or Stewardess Yacht Salary

• Minimum level of qualification: Depending on the size of the vessel you may need courses such as Food Hygiene and Safety and Silver Service
• Salaries start at $3000 and go up to $6000

Responsibilities of a Steward or Stewardess

A Stewardess/Steward is an entry-level position working within the interior of the yacht.

There are rankings within the interior (2nd, 3rd, 4th Steward/Stewardesses). As you spend more time in the industry, you will be promoted to higher ranks, and with that will come a better salary and more responsibility.

This role covers a range of tasks, including but not limited to housekeeping, laundry, bartending, table scaping, floral arrangements, serving, and hosting guests.

Engineer Yacht Salary

• 20m-30m: $4000-$5000
• 30m-40m: $4500-$6500
• 40m-50m: $6000-$8000
• 50m-70m: $7500-$11000
• 70m+: $9000+

Requirements of an Engineer

• Years of experience needed: 2-4 years in an engineering role onboard as Deck/Engineer or relevant land-based experience
• Minimum level of qualification: AEC

The Engineer onboard is responsible for all mechanical functioning and maintenance of the vessel. This is a very technical role that can pay well as you gain experience and obtain your licensing.

Yacht Chef Salary

• 20m-30m: $4000 – $5000
• 40m-50m: $5500 – $75000
• 50m-70m: $6500-$9500

Requirements of a Yacht Chef

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 years depending on previous experience
• Minimum level of qualification: Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2

The Chef is responsible for feeding the crew 2 to 3 healthy and sustainable meals a day. They are of course required to prepare meals for guests when onboard to the highest of standards.

In their day-to-day tasks, they will be responsible for their own provisioning of the galley, maintaining stocks, cleanliness, and hygiene of the galley.

The salary of the Yacht Chef varies depending on qualifications and experience.

Yacht Crew Salaries for Private vs Charter Yachts

There are two types of super yachts that require crew: Private and Charter yachts. The salaries for yacht crew differ slightly between the two.

Private Yacht

A private boat is owned by a single person or family who uses the yacht for their own purposes. They don’t charter it out and you can expect to have the same guests onboard for the duration of your contract.

The benefit of these programs is that you get to know your guests well so you may find it easier to manage their wants and needs.

You may also benefit from traveling to off-the-beaten-track locations as I have!

For yacht crew working on these private boats, you will usually not receive charter tips.

Charter Yacht

A charter boat is one that gets chartered out by guests. This operates as a business and also means you will have different guests for every trip. 

If you work on a charter boat you can expect to receive charter tips at the end of each charter. These are usually 10%-20% of the charter fee!

Considering these tips can be anywhere from $2000-$5000 per week depending on the size of the yacht, charter boats offer great earning potential and can skyrocket your salary as a yachtie.

Hi, my name is Lisa, a Chief Stewardess in the yachting industry with 10 years of experience, as well as 8 years of hospitality experience prior to that. Being in the yachting industry has been a whirlwind of adventure, growth, challenges and some of the best experiences of my life, and I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you.

How to Write the Perfect Yacht CV [With Template]

A day in the life of a yacht stewardess.

Yacht Captain Salary: 5 Factors Impacting Earnings and Career Growth

Introduction to mega yacht captain's pay, 5 factors impacting yacht captain salaries, career advancement and salary growth, final thoughts about the yacht captain pay, introduction to mega yacht captain’s pay.

Yacht captains usually ask us “What is the usual Yacht captain pay?” well there is no one straight answer to what a is a yacht captain salary but we will dive into it soon enough.

Here in US Chandlery we know very well that yacht captains hold a unique and prestigious position in the maritime industry, responsible for the smooth operation and navigation of luxurious vessels that traverse the world’s most captivating waters. As with any profession, the remuneration for a yacht captain’s services is influenced by a myriad of factors. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of a yacht captain’s salary, exploring the average earnings, the key determinants affecting pay scales, and the potential for career advancement.

Understanding the Average Yacht Captain Salary

As of June 26, 2023, the average salary of a yacht captain stands at an impressive $107,281. This figure reflects the compensation for captains who have a balanced combination of experience, education, and additional qualifications. However, it is essential to note that this is just an average, and the actual salary range can be quite broad, spanning from $87,000 to $228,000.

Several critical factors play a role in determining the yacht captain salary range

1. Yacht captain’s experience –  Experience is one of the most influential factors in shaping a captain’s earning potential. A seasoned yacht captain with years of successful voyages and an impeccable track record is likely to command a higher salary than someone just starting in the field.

2. Education and Certifications –  Yacht captains with advanced degrees in maritime studies, nautical science, or related fields, along with essential certifications such as a Master’s License, are more likely to earn higher salaries. These qualifications demonstrate competence and proficiency in handling the responsibilities of a yacht captain.

3. Additional Skills – Specialized skills, such as expertise in luxury hospitality, navigational technology, multilingual proficiency, and marine engineering, can significantly enhance a captain’s earning potential. Captains with a diverse skill set are sought after by yacht owners who value versatility and expertise.

4. Type and Size of Yacht –   The type and size of the yacht under a captain’s command can also impact their salary. Captains of larger, more luxurious mega yachts may earn higher compensation due to the complexity and responsibility associated with managing such vessels.

5. Geographic Location –  The geographic location of the yacht and the nature of the voyages undertaken can influence a captain’s earnings. Captains who sail in high-demand destinations or frequently traverse exclusive regions may command higher salaries.

The yacht captain profession career advancement and salary growth

1. Progression to Larger Yachts –  As a captain gains experience and expertise, they may be entrusted with the helm of larger and more opulent yachts. Managing bigger vessels often comes with higher compensation and increased prestige.

2. Promotions within the Yachting Industry – Some yacht captains may choose to transition into managerial roles within the yachting industry. These positions, such as fleet managers or yacht brokers, can offer competitive salaries and diverse career paths.

3. Reputation and Referrals –  A captain’s reputation within the industry can significantly impact their earning potential. Captains who garner positive reviews from charter guests and owners are more likely to attract high-paying opportunities through referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations.

4. Continual Professional Development –  Staying up to date with industry trends and pursuing continuous professional development can enhance a captain’s skill set and, subsequently, their market value. Investing in relevant courses and certifications can open doors to higher-paying positions.

Here is a very nice Vlog by Tristan Mortlock, definitely someone you would like to subscribe to his channel.

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The salary of a yacht captain is a reflection of their experience, education, additional skills, and the size and type of yacht they command. While the average salary for a yacht captain is currently $107,281, this figure can vary significantly based on the aforementioned factors.

For aspiring yacht captains, the key to achieving a successful and rewarding career lies in pursuing relevant education, obtaining essential certifications, and accumulating valuable experience. By constantly improving their skill set and embracing new opportunities for growth, yacht captains can chart a course towards greater financial rewards and recognition within the esteemed world of luxury yachting. 

You can look for open positions and see live position openings for yacht captain salary.

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Yacht crew positions : Hierarchy, Missions & Salaries explained

Like any well-run hotel, restaurant, or other luxury service, a crewed yacht needs organized structure and good management. Whether you’re staffing your own luxury vessel or looking for an exciting career working and traveling the world, you need to know how this structure works, and what you can expect to pay or earn and do in the various roles on board.

Every yacht is a little different, and organization may reflect the style of the captain or the demands of the owner. But the same jobs need to be done on almost every boat. Organized with ranks, heads of each division report to the Captain. It’s not a military-style organization, but there are parallels with merchant marine grades and structures.

Smaller yachts need fewer crew, and staff may wear multiple hats that cross more traditional divisions and may combine some jobs with others. Large yachts have more distinct divisions or subdivisions, with more specialization to divide tasks and manage staffing. The core skills are the same, but finding staff with the right blends to do the jobs is key. Crew with broader skills are highly sought after.

As a yacht owner, you shouldn’t have to worry about day-to-day management decisions or organizing all this. That’s why you have a captain, and it’s better to leave staffing decisions entirely up to him or her. But it’s still important to know what it is people you’re hiring do, why they’re there, and how many you need. You don’t want too many crew, or to be short-handed. An understanding of what your yacht needs helps you talk to the captain to keep your yacht running how you want it.

For those looking to break into yacht crew work, consider your skills and strengths, and what jobs appeal to you. You’ll need training before you work, and you can direct your job path through the training you seek. Your goal is a suitable position on a well-run yacht, so make yourself the most attractive candidate possible.

Yacht Work Life

Working on a yacht is also living on the yacht. Crew must have a space to sleep, food, and all the basics that any employee needs. Large yachts have space reserved for crew, and owners looking for quality crew should provide good working and living conditions. Your crew takes care of you, and you should take care of them.

Depending on where a yacht operates or what flag she flies, a variety of labor laws or rules may be in effect. These requirements may be for work visas, contracts and written agreements, and compliance with merchant and ship crew treaties and laws. Be prepared to have work and non-disclosure agreements between yacht and crew, though a few yachts skip this.

Seasonal Jobs

Many yacht positions are seasonal. Year-round employment is more likely for senior crew like the captain and department heads, but not all yachts see year-round use. And some yachts may use different crew in different locales between seasonal moves.

Any job listing should give seasonal information, with geographic information, the length of the season, and the prospects for year-round positions and repeat employment.

Hours, Salaries, and Expectations

Yacht crew is a service job at its core, and every yacht owner is looking for service-oriented people who understand how to deliver a hotel-quality living and restaurant-quality fine dining. Work experience in luxury hotels and restaurants is a big plus for some jobs, and makes breaking into yacht work easier.

Yacht work can be very demanding, with periods of intense work when the owner and guests or a charter party is on board. Long days aren’t uncommon, but often balance with slack time when the boat is empty of passengers. There is always work to be done, but there’s usually a chance for time off.

Most salaries are monthly, since many positions are seasonal. Pay ranges are commensurate with experience, rank, and responsibility. Private vessels usually offer higher base pay, as charter crew can earn tips on top of their base salary. Because of the demands of the lifestyle, compensation is good and you have minimal living expenses on board.

Benefits and Time Off

Because so many jobs are seasonal and may occur in different countries and locations, benefits offered to yacht crew vary widely. But it is not uncommon for crew to be offered health and accident insurance and a flight to the vessel. Living on board, you’ll get food, rooming (usually shared), basic toiletries, uniforms, and laundry. Yachts with a longer view may offer additional training to long-term prospects.

Time off is usually linked to boat use, and may be sporadic in-season or when the boat has the owner and guests on board. There will always be some time off, but it may be between very intense work periods.

Most crew jobs have an employment contract that meets the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC). This should spell out the contract period and duration, as well as salary, leave and time off, probationary periods, repatriation policies, and any other crucial details to meet the minimum international standards of crew welfare.

This contract should also contain shipboard policies on confidentiality and non-disclosures, drug and alcohol use on board, personal hygiene expectations, interpersonal relationships, and dispute resolution. Job expectations and requirements can also be included, with specific language about roles, tasks, and cooperation between divisions.

Note that all crew agreements will explicitly prohibit drug use on board, most limit alcohol consumption and ban hard liquor on board, and many boats have policies prohibiting intimate personal crew relationships. Because the crew is living on board full time and in close quarters, rules to maintain decorum and crew harmony may be in writing.

Training & Certificates

Two key certifications are required for yacht crew. Employers look for the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers) and the ENG1 (Seafarer Medical Certificate). Insurers generally require crew to have these two certifications or the equivalent.

The ENG1 isn’t a class. It’s a medical exam to ensure that the crew is physically fit to serve at sea and has no underlying conditions that may arise far from help. It’s best for prospective crew to secure the ENG1 before investing more time and money training.

STCW is a week-long class on the basics of onboard safety. This includes hands-on modules covering personal survival, fire safety, first aid and CPR, accident prevention, and security awareness. It needs to be refreshed every five years.

Shared, Hybrid, and Crossover Jobs

Larger vessels will have more defined duties and specific areas of responsibility. But smaller yachts may want the crew to have different roles in different situations. For example, a hybrid job description may read “3rd Engineer/Steward” and describe a role in engineering when the boat is empty but on inside crew when passengers are on board.

When hiring or seeking jobs be prepared to look for creative crossover skill sets to meet the needs of the vessel.

Extra Skills and Duties

Any extra skills outside the regular duties makes crew more attractive. From stewards who can teach yoga, give massages or play cocktail piano to deck crew who know how to water ski, SCUBA dive, or fish, anything that crew can bring to enhance the passenger experience adds value to the employee.

If you’re looking for a position, list the skills you’d be comfortable using. If a vessel owner is looking for something specific, spell it out and figure out how that special duty fits into the employee work day.

The Four Main Divisions

Most yacht crews break into four primary divisions which group related tasks and responsibilities together. While the grouping sounds like it’s by section of the boat, they’re really more functional. For example, stewards (Interior) will definitely serve meals, whether they’re in the main dining room or out on deck. Deckhands (deck) are going to be involved in painting, sanding, and varnish jobs anywhere on the boat.

The deck crew handles most of the exterior operations of the yacht, and runs it. Deck hands and crew keep the boat looking clean and shiny, and handling most vessel operations. This includes driving and operating the yacht, navigation, running all launches and ship’s craft, handling lines, and all maintenance and painting, washing, and shining.

2-Interior (or Inside)

Inside crew are primarily the stewards and housekeepers. Larger vessels will have a dedicated housekeeping staff separate from the stewards, but smaller vessels may not.

Stewards keep the interior clean, do all housekeeping, laundry, food and beverage service, cabin preparation, and anything else needed for the comfort of the passengers.

3-Engineering

Below decks, the engineering department ensures the safe and smooth running of all the ship’s machinery and electronics. Engineers are engine and systems specialists, and there will usually be a dedicated electronics expert. Most engineer jobs require professional training and certification.

Fine dining is a hallmark of the yachting experience, and a full-time galley crew prepares all meals for passengers and crew. The head chef plans the menus and provisions the boat, while junior chefs assist the head chef with meal preparation and keeping the galley spotless.

Yacht Job and Department Details

Departments are all organized in a hierarchy, with a department head reporting to the Captain. The clear chain of command makes for smooth operations, with all communications going up and down ranks. Junior staff will occasionally take instructions from other divisions as all crew is expected to help as needed. A captain or department head may organize staff differently, so reporting structures listed are guidelines only.

All salary ranges are monthly figures and are ranges based on yacht size and crew experience. Senior jobs on larger yachts have more responsibility than the same job title on yachts with smaller crews. Experienced crew are very desirable and can expect more pay for their positions.

Listed responsibilities are not exhaustive, and different yachts may allocate some jobs to different positions.

Read also: The yacht charter experience ladder

The Captain

The captain of the vessel is the overall decision maker for the yacht in all situations, including the safety of the vessel. The owner should leave the Captain responsible for operational decisions about hiring and staff and operating the ship. To become a captain requires years of experience and training, and a broad set of skills including yacht operations, personnel management, budgeting and finance. The captain works directly with the owner and owner’s representative, if the captain is not also acting as the representative.

On an organization chart, the Captain is usually placed in the deck division, but the Captain is always the senior-most crew on the yacht and all division heads report to the Captain.

Responsibilities include:

• Responsible for all navigation and running the yacht.
• Senior decision maker on all crew hiring.
• Manage repairs, refits, and yard work.
• Manage budgets and accounting. On larger yachts, this task ends more on the Purser, but the captain is always responsible.
• Ensure all paperwork, clearances, and legal requirements are completed.
• Primary contact with the owner or charter parties.

Reports to: The yacht owner

Salary Range: $6,000 to $22,000

The deckhands handle all the outside responsibilities of the ship, including cleaning and maintenance of the yacht and all the ship’s vessels and toys on board. Deck crew will have significant contact with passengers in this role, operating launches and delivering guests to and from shore and handling the toys.

All deck crew have watch responsibilities on passage, and daily responsibilities keeping the yacht pristine and clean. They will also do line handling and secure the yacht.

Deck department : Chief Mate/First Officer

The Chief Mate or First Officer is the second in command of the vessel, and left in charge when the Captain is not on board. The first mate has the requisite skills to stand in for the captain and run the yacht if needed and usually acts as the division head of the deck team.

The seamanship skills needed are similar to the Captain’s position.

• Primary safety officer for the yacht and all passengers and crew.
• Supervise and manage all operations on deck.
• Bridge watches on passage.
• Passage planning and navigation.

There may be additional mates on larger vessels, these 2nd, 3rd, etc. mates have similar responsibilities on rotation. But the first mate is senior and always second in command.

Reports to: Captain

Salary Range: $4,000 to $9,500 (First mate)

Second and more junior mates may earn $2,000 to $4,000

Deck department : Bosun

The Bosun is the senior deckhand and manages the junior hands on board. This will usually be the most experienced hand on board.

• Organizing all operations on deck.
• Coordinating the use, storing and launching of the ship’s boats, toys, and equipment.
• Managing the passerelle, watching passenger safety.
• Contact point for guest service on boats, toys, and trips to shore.

Reports to: First mate

Salary Range: $3,000 to $5,000

Deck department : Deckhands

Deckhands are constantly busy with maintenance, cleaning, polishing, and assisting guests as needed. They will assist other departments as needed or given special duties.

• Daily cleaning of the yacht’s exterior.
• Painting, varnishing, polishing.
• Line handling.
• Launching and operating dinghies and tenders.
• Repairs and carpentry.
• Helping guests as needed – everything from handling baggage and gear to embarking and disembarking.

Reports to: Bosun

Salary range: $1,300 to $3,000

Though every position on a yacht is service-oriented, the interior or inside crew provides the primary customer service. They will interact the most with the passengers daily, and they’re directly responsible for the quality of their experience on board.

Interior department : the Purser

The purser is the chief financial officer of the yacht and handles all the financial operations on board. Accounting, purchasing, payroll and hiring, and all money matters end up with the Purser. This is a senior staff position, and may be the interior department head. Smaller yachts may eliminate the purser’s job and add it to the captain’s and other senior staff duties.

Responsibilities Include:

• Accounting and bookkeeping for all financial transactions.
• Human resources and payroll.
• Handling logistics for all departments related to purchasing.
• Managing contracts.
• Event coordination, including off yacht bookings and payments.
• Primary administration of the boat’s business paperwork.
• Inventory and supply management.

Salary Range: $4,000 to $8,000

Interior department : The Chief Steward/ess

The chief steward or stewardess has primary responsibility for all service roles inside. Food and drink service, cabin preparation, and anything to do with helping the passengers be more comfortable and enjoy their stay. The chief steward will be inside crew with several years of experience.

The chief steward manages the interior staff, setting and enforcing vessel service standards. The chief steward ensures the crew delivers a five-star hospitality experience.

Chief Steward Responsibilities:

• Scheduling and training junior crew for meal and drink service and cabin preparation.
• Primary contact with guests for meals and drinks.
• Sommelier and wine service.
• Coordinate with the galley for meals and presentation.
• Decorate the interior, from flower arrangement to table settings.
• Arrange onshore activities and outings.

Reports to: Captain or Purser, depending on the yacht

Salary Range: $4,000 to $8,500

Stewards/Stewardesses

The stewards and stewardesses are the primary guest service staff. They will work closely with guests and passengers, and have daily contact with them as they meet most of their needs while on board.

Steward Responsibilities:

• Food and drink service.
• Room preparation and turndown service.
• Cleaning, polishing, housekeeping, and inside maintenance.
• Cabin detailing.
• Laundry, pressing, and folding.
• Help with outings, trips, debarkations.

Reports to: Chief Steward

Salary Range: $1,500 to $4,500

Housekeeping

Larger yachts may have a dedicated housekeeping and laundry staff. This will be part of the inside crew, under either the purser or the head steward. There may be a senior housekeeper, if there are more than one housekeeping crew on board.

Responsibilities are the cleaning and laundry portions of the steward’s job, and a laundry steward may spend most of her time inside the ship’s laundry.

An experienced Head of Housekeeping may earn from $4,500 to $7,000, while a Laundry Steward typically earns from $2,500 to $3,500.

Read also: CAN OWNING A YACHT TO CHARTER (REALLY) BE PROFITABLE?

Food service requirements on any yacht are high. Whether it’s a privately owned vessel or a charter, the expectations are always for top tier food service, with a variety of meals planned for the requirements of every passenger. Chefs and cooks prepare all meals on board for passengers and crew, but sometimes other interior crew may help with prep work or cleanup.

Smaller yachts have smaller galley crews, but the largest vessels may have an executive chef and several sous chefs. All chef positions require formal culinary training and experience, but cook positions are often entry level. Promotion from cook to chef is unusual without additional training.

Galley department : the Head / Executive Chef

On larger yachts, an Executive Chef will run the entire galley with the help of sous chefs and cooks. With an Executive Chef, there’s an expectation that the food and menus will be on a level with Michelin star-rated restaurants.

The executive chef brings a thorough understanding of food preparation and presentation, and moves food preparation past creative up to artistic. Job responsibilities are similar to a chef, but the job demands and the required experience and education are much higher.

Salary range: $7,000 to $11,000

The chef has overall responsibility for all meals on the yacht, from provisioning in remote places to hygiene and good safety. If there’s only one chef, she’s the head of the galley crew. Finding the best provisions in far away locations and making the best of local food availability is a major part of the job.

• Planning a delicious and varied menu for passengers.
• Sourcing all food and arranging transport to the yacht.
• Maintaining and operating within the galley budget.
• Preparing passenger meals with professional presentation and style.
• Cleaning and maintaining galley and galley equipment.
• Deliver menus and meals on time, while running an organized and spotless galley.

Galley department : Sous Chef

The sous chefs assist the chef in all aspects of running the galley, and may have independent assignments to plan and guest and crew meals. While not primarily responsible for provisioning, the sous chef will help with food selection, menu preparation, and planning. A sous chef must have formal culinary training.

Reports to: Head chef

Salary Range: $3,500 – $6,000.

Galley department : The Cook

Cooks may be entry-level positions or experienced, but do not require formal gastronomy education. They will assist the chef and sous chefs, cooking meals and dishes for guests and crew, helping with provisioning, and keeping the galley neat.

• Assist with provisioning and buying high-quality food from local sources.
• Follow all food handling and safety guidelines.
• Assist the head chef as needed, taking direction and guidance.
• Prepare guest and crew meals as required.
• Staying on top of galley inventories and supplies.

Salary Range: $2,500 to $3,500

Engineering

The engineering department keeps the yacht and all its systems working. Whether it’s the engines, electronics, air conditioning, or the plumbing – it’s up to engineering to keep it running.

There is considerable overlap with commercial shipping in the engineering field, as many of the same skills apply. And there is a broader range of qualifications and grades based on the size and power of the vessel. Job ratings may be set by required experience based on tonnage of ship or power of engines, with corresponding levels of pay and responsibility.

Unlike commercial shipping, engineers may get involved in other aspects of running the yacht, like helping with docking and water sports with mechanical toys.

Engineering certifications, training, ratings, experience and licensing are critical to hiring competent engineers, and for engineering crew it’s an important facet of career advancement. This is important for Chief and 2nd Engineers, which are often broken out by MCA (U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency) rating or other international equivalent.

MCA ratings for engineers Commercial and Private Yachts over 24m are:

Y4: Less than 200 Gross Tons and less than 1,500 kW engine power Y3: Less than 500 GT and 3,000 kW Y2: Less than 3,000 GT and 3,000 kW Y1: Less than 3,000 GT and 9,000 kW

There is also an unlimited rating for merchant vessels larger than the Y1 category. For discussing salary and responsibilities, we will include all ratings in one position description, but pay scales with the size of the yacht and any required higher ratings.

Chief Engineer

The chief engineer manages all aspects of keeping the yacht and its systems running. The chief engineer manages all the engineering staff, and directs all maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting and upgrades. This is a management position, but requires extensive hands-on technical experience and knowledge. Chief engineers on large yachts hold an MCA Y1 or Y2, smaller boats will have a lower rated chief and a smaller staff. Check  Jooble.org  to find abroad marine engineer vacancies.

• Provisioning, shopping, and stocking.
• Preparing passenger and crew meals.
• Following instructions and cooking under the direction of others.
• Galley cleaning.
• Follow food safety and storage procedures.
• Food pre-preparation.

Salary Range: $6,000 to $15,000

2nd Engineer

The second engineer is also a highly skilled position requiring a rating or license and several years of experience. This senior level engineer also needs knowledge of how to troubleshoot and maintain all yacht systems.

• Maintain and manage all engineering operations.
• Hire, train and supervise all engineers.
• Project manage all upgrades and retrofits, including managing budgets, contracts, and suppliers.
• Coordinate maintenance schedule for the entire yacht around the usage and seasonal schedules.
• Maintain costs and accounting for engineering operations.
• Design and handle all safety operations.
• Set and maintain standards for operations and cleanliness in the engine room.

Reports to: Chief engineer

Salary Range: $5,500 – $10,000

OOW (Officer of the Watch) Engineer

The OOW is a junior engineering position, but still licensed. There are two categories of OOW – MEOL (Marine Engine Operator License) and the more junior AEC (Assistant Engine Course). The overall responsibilities are similar, working to support the senior engineers and handle independent assignments. The AEC rating is entry level for licensed crew, but has training and certification.

• Support the chief in all projects.
• Maintain a clean, safe engine room.
• Perform all maintenance, troubleshooting and repair tasks as needed.
• Support motorized water sports.
• Occasionally assist with other vessel operations, like line handling.

Reports to: Chief Engineer

Salary Range, MEOL: $4,500 to $6,000 Salary Range, AEC: $2,500 to $3,500

Electronics/Technology Officer (ETO)

The ETO takes responsibility for all audio-visual and information technology on board. Ensuring passengers have access to the internet, movies, television, and music is a primary responsibility. This position carries a fair amount of passenger interaction, and an ETO needs good troubleshooting skills to go with customer service skills.

• Ensure all audio/visual and entertainment systems are always available for passengers.
• Assist passengers with personal technology and ship systems as needed.
• Conduct regular maintenance and upgrades of the network, information, and A/V systems around passenger schedules.
• Assist other engineers as needed, especially with electronic systems.
• Contribute as needed with other departments for boat and passenger operations.

Salary Range: $4,000 to $9,000

Junior Engineer

This is a lower or entry level position for someone with engineering skills but without formal licensing or certification. The junior engineer will help with safety and cleanliness, and assist in any engineering tasks as needed. The ability to solve problems and fix things opens this spot for anyone capable and willing to do the job.

• Help with cleaning, maintenance, and safety functions.
• Help anywhere needed on the yacht.
• Assist senior engineers as needed, taking direction and following instructions exactly.
• Constantly develop skills.

Read also: IS BUYING A BOAT A BAD IDEA?

Whether you are a yacht owner or considering entering this dynamic industry with an established and reliable crew, it is essential to have an understanding of the yacht’s hierarchical structure, mission priorities, and salary expectations. By doing your research on the complexity of yachting before hiring your team, you can confidently select the right group of experienced and qualified professionals for your needs. Staying up-to-date on top industry trends and knowing the capabilities of each type of yacht crew position will enable you to make sound decisions that support a safe and cost-effective journey. With quality personnel at your helm, you can cruise unhindered in luxury and explore new destinations with peace of mind.

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Captains Careers Superyacht Industry Insights

What is the salary of a Captain on a superyacht? 4 May 2021

What should you be paying your Captain?

What salary can I expect as a Captain on a superyacht?

These are questions we often get asked at Quay Crew headquarters.

In this blog, the superyacht Captain salaries are revealed in our exclusive Captain recruitment survey by Quay Crew.

Captain Recruitment Specialist, Tim Clarke , reveals some very interesting findings…

The subject of what a Captain should be paid often comes up in conversation, normally with Captains, but recently I was working with the yacht owner on a large new build project and had to recruit everyone from the Captain down. I was asked “What should I pay my Captain?”. I had to advise on salary levels for the Captain position and this made me realise that there isn’t a lot of accurate information out there in the public domain.

So how much should a Captain on a superyacht get paid?

Recently I did a salary survey of Captains which went into significant detail regarding yacht size, program, leave, pay reviews, bonuses, flights and additional perks. 186 Captains responded so we had an excellent spread of data to work with. The full report is actually 41 pages long so this is just a brief summary of the most pertinent information.

Have a Captain recruitment requirement coming up or just want to see all the additional info? To receive a copy in your inbox, email  [email protected]

The breakdown of qualifications across the 186 respondents was as follows:

26% Master Unlimited

68% Master 3000gt

6% Master 500gt

Private or Charter?

58% of Captains surveyed said they work on a purely private yacht. 34% on yachts which are a mix of owner use and charter so run commercially. Only 8% work on yachts which are purely commercial / charter programs.

Monthly salary averages for Captains on a superyacht

Average monthly salary for Captains with full rotation:

Under 39m n/a

40m to 49m €12.4k approx.

50m to 59m €11.4k approx.

60m to 69m €13.3k approx.

70m to 79m €14.5k approx.

80m to 89m €16.2k approx.

90m to 99m €18.4k approx.

Over 100m €19.3k approx.

Average monthly salary for Captains who are full time:

Under 39m €10.2k Euros approx.

40m to 49m €11.9k Euros approx.

50m to 59m €15.3k Euros approx.

60m to 69m €16k Euros approx.

70m to 79m €19.2k Euros approx.

80m to 89m €22k Euros approx.

90m to 99m €25k euros approx.

Over 100m €14.5k Euros approx.

Additional Captain salary facts…

When you compare rotational and full time salaries on yachts over 60m, the full time positions average over 2k a month more. Some yachts’ Captain packages are hugely removed from the norm. For example, one 60m to 69m is found to be paying over 25k to a full rotation Captain. No yacht that responded under 39m offers rotation. 36 Captains are earning over 20k a month, the vast majority of which are on purely private yachts.

Captain Rotation

23% of Captains on yachts 40m-49m have a full rotation. This takes a big jump to 53% of yachts 50m -59m. Full rotation peaks at 83% on yachts over 100m.

The average is 63% of Captains on yachts above 50m have full rotation so 92 out of the 147 who worked on yachts from 50m to 100m up.

Captain Recruitment for Superyachts

If you are looking to recruit a Captain for your yacht and want to make sure you are accessing the best talent in the market, then give me a call on +44 7760 202610. Recently I have recruited a variety of Captains for various yachts including a 100m plus new build, a very prestigious 90m, a 60m plus new build just launched and lots more between 50m and 70m. Alternatively if you just want a chat about the Captain market and your current Captain’s compensation package, then just get in touch via phone or via my direct email .

If you are a Captain reading this then here are a couple of links to other blogs I have written which may interest you.

How to secure your dream Captain job on a superyacht

How many Captains are there?

About the author

How much does length of service matter in Superyacht Recruitment?

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• Apr 13, 2023

YPI CREW, a leading yacht crew recruitment company, has released its 2023 Yacht Crew Salaries Report following a positive and fast-paced year in yacht crew placement. The report outlines trends in the industry and emphasizes the importance of flexibility in attracting top talent.

2022 marked a significant shift in the yachting industry, as the effects of Covid-19 began to wane. One key trend that emerged was the extension of scheduled or rotational leave to positions outside of the engine room and the bridge. Crew members are increasingly focused on achieving a harmonious work-life balance, leading yachts to adapt their leave packages to remain competitive. Flexibility with regards to leave has become a key factor for all departments and allows for a larger pool of candidates who are fully committed to the yacht, its programme and owner.

Read the full Yacht Crew Salary Report HERE .

Both the Deck/Bosun's and the Interior/Galley Departments have witnessed a steady trend towards increased leave packages. Senior Stews, for example, now seek a minimum of 90 days leave, and 95% of Chief Stews look for full rotation. Stew Head of Departments have come to realize the benefits of scheduled or rotational leave, a perk that was once reserved for Engineers or Officer/Captains Departments. Additionally, and in order to compete with the larger yachts, an important number of yachts under 70metres are now also considering increased leave packages to secure top crew. It's important to note that the salaries listed in the report are median range salaries and can vary based on factors such as job-specific skills, professional qualifications, and experience.

YPI CREW now offers a bespoke service for our yacht clients to assist with salary reviews and comparative analysis. Contact Chloe Collet at [email protected] for any further information.

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Yacht captain jobs​.

What is a yacht without a Captain? The captain of any yacht is in charge of the safe manning and operation of the vessel, with all crew members falling under his or her command. Similar to the role of a CEO or president, the captain must operate the yacht under firm international rules and regulations, while making sure the owners and all guests onboard have a memorable and pleasant experience. 

If you have excellent leadership, navigational and communication skills, together with a charismatic and solid personality and engineering experience, then why not consider building a career as a yacht captain? Browse through our full list of captain jobs now.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A yacht captains duties and responsibilities include the safe operation and navigation of the yacht, hiring and dismissing crew members, overseeing the general upkeep of the yacht, managing the yachts budget and acting as the main ambassador of the yacht. This includes hosting and entertaining guests when needed as well as managing the yacht’s refits and surveys when there are no guests or owners on board. Depending on the size of the yacht, a Captain may have to take on more manual tasks or more administrative duties. 

YACHT CAPTAIN SALARIES

Captain salaries do vary, depending on the level of experience as well as the size and type of yacht they are working on. Larger yachts tend to offer higher salaries, reaching an average of €18,000 per month on vessels between 81 and 100 meters. Captains of smaller motor and sailing yachts, ranging between 41 and 50 meters tend to earn an average salary of €10,000 per month.

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Airline pilots at Delta, American, and United can make more than $500K a year — here's how their pay compares

• Recent pay raises have made commercial-airline pilots some of the highest-paid workers in the US.
• Three major airlines, American, Delta, and United, offer similar captain base pay of up to $447 an hour.
• Pilots can earn extras like bonuses and holiday pay, bringing some to half a million annually.

Commercial-airline pilots have become some of the highest-paid workers in the US thanks to a suite of post-pandemic pay raises .

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines , and United Airlines — which collectively employ nearly 50,000 pilots — have all signed lucrative contracts in recent years to attract and retain talent, and help with a lingering labor shortage . These pilots earn hundreds of dollars for every hour of flight time, with pay increasing with every year of seniority.

Across the board, the median airline pilot in the US earns just over $250,000 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thanks to the recent pay bumps, combined with extra income opportunities like holiday pay and profit sharing, some pilots are taking home double that .

First officers, the typically less-experienced pilots who sit in the right seat, start at about $116 an hour at American and United, regardless of aircraft type, according to figures shared by the airlines. Those at Delta earn about $113.75 hourly across the fleet for the first year.

Every year that passes, a pilot gains seniority and a sizable pay bump.

Many of these pilots climb to captain on Airbus and Boeing wide-body planes and fly long-haul routes from their US hubs to cities in Europe and across the Americas. Some fly ultra-long-haul trips to places as far away as South Africa, Japan, and Australia.

Veterans at American and United in these categories will cap out around $500 an hour when their contracts expire in 2027. At Delta, they'll hit about $475 when their contract is up in 2026.

Profit sharing and bonuses can take their pay even higher

Pilot compensation is not only in the form of a base salary rate.

Each airline has its own packages with opportunities for extra pay, like profit sharing , bonuses, per diems, incentive rates, and holiday pay. Because the extra income is not always predictable because of operational reasons, it has not been included in this article.

Between base pay and extra incentives, the annual pay stubs are reading mid-six figures for the industry's most senior pilots.

Airline-pilot pay is complex, though, and depends on the pilot's seniority, their position, and the type of aircraft they fly, among other factors.

Not your usual 40-hour workweek

Airline pilots at American, Delta, and United are paid in " block time ," meaning they earn their full hourly rate only from gate to gate, earning per diems or other allowances to make up the work between flights.

Some pilots are paid to be on "reserve" when not scheduled to fly. These hours pay the same rate and have guaranteed minimums of 70 to 75 hours, depending on the airline, according to the Air Line Pilots Association .

For simplicity, the monthly and annual salary totals below are based on airline pilots who hold a "line," meaning they have a set month's schedule and are not on call. The ALPA said these pilots typically fly around 80 hours a month but can fly up to 100, per federal law .

Related stories

Here's a breakdown of the base pay pilots at American, Delta, and United earn per hour of payable time, according to contracts sent to Business Insider from the airline or its union. Salaries will increase over four years, but the base pay rates outlined for each airline reflect 2024.

American Airlines

First officers.

First-year first officer : about $116 an hour on any aircraft type.

12-year first officer : between $246 and $255 an hour on narrow-bodies and about $305 on wide-bodies.

A first-year first officer flying 80 hours each month would make about $9,300 monthly before taxes and other earnings, or about $111,000 yearly. That would jump to about $293,000 annually for a 12-year wide-body first officer.

First-year captain : between $331 and $340 an hour on narrow-bodies and about $410 on wide-bodies.

12-year captain: between $360 and $374 an hour on narrow-bodies and about $447 on wide-bodies.

A first-year captain flying 80 hours each month on most narrow-bodies would make about $26,500 monthly before taxes and other earnings, or about $318,000 yearly. That would jump to about $430,000 annually for a 12-year wide-body captain.

Delta Air Lines

First-year first officer : about $113.75 an hour on any aircraft type.

12-year first officer : between $216 and about $300 an hour, depending on the aircraft type.

A first-year first officer flying 80 hours each month would make about $9,100 monthly before taxes and other earnings, or about $109,000 yearly. That would jump to about $288,000 annually for a 12-year first officer on most of Delta's wide-bodies .

First-year captain : between $290 and about $402 an hour, depending on the aircraft type.

12-year captain : between $316 and about $438 an hour, depending on the aircraft type.

A first-year captain flying 80 hours each month on Delta's lowest-rate narrow-body, a Boeing 717, would make about $23,200 monthly before taxes and other earnings, or about $278,00 yearly. That would jump to about $420,000 yearly for a 12-year captain on most of Delta's wide-bodies.

United Airlines

12-year first officer : between $245 and about $305 an hour, depending on the aircraft type.

A first-year first officer flying 80 hours each month would make about $9,300 monthly before taxes and other earnings, or about $111,000 yearly. That would jump to about $293,000 annually for a 12-year first officer on most of United's wide-bodies.

First-year captain : between $329 and about $410 an hour, depending on the aircraft type.

12-year captain : between $358 and about $447 per hour, depending on the aircraft type.

A first-year captain flying 80 hours each month on United's lowest-end Airbus and Boeing narrow-bodies would make about $26,300 monthly before taxes and other earnings, or about $316,000 yearly. That would jump to about $429,000 yearly for a 12-year captain on most of United's wide-bodies .

Watch: Why flying is so terrible even though airlines spend billions

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Amadeus - Crewed Sailing Yacht Charter

Amadeus €35,000.

Amadeus Image 1/22

Layout of Amadeus

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SUNBATHING FORWARD

SUNBATHING FORWARD ANOTHER VIEW

• Splash Pool

Splash Pool another view

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Anastasia Yurash (Asst. Stewardess)

Stelios Mandos (Engineer)

• From €35,000 / week
• Sailing Monohull + 6 crew
• Summer Port: Cruising Areas Summer: Greece, Turkey Summer Port: Marina Zea, Piraeus, Greece Winter: Greece Winter Port: Marina Zeas, Pireaus, Greece ">Marina Zea, Piraeus, Greece
• Winter Port: Cruising Areas Summer: Greece, Turkey Summer Port: Marina Zea, Piraeus, Greece Winter: Greece Winter Port: Marina Zeas, Pireaus, Greece ">Marina Zeas, Pireaus, Greece
• Length: 110 ft / 33.5 meters 110 feet 33.5 meters
• Guests: 12 in 5 cabins
• Builder: Dynamique Ya
• Built: 1996 / Refit: 2014/2020
• Offers Rendezvous Scuba Diving only

Plus Expenses

• Reviews (1)

Amadeus Description

Built by the famous Dynamique Yachts shipyard, and having undergone a total refit in 2018, S/Y Amadeus was designed to please the most demanding of yachtsmen. Built for smooth sailing, this elegant cutter rigged sloop has a sleek hull design, comfortably reaching top speeds of 12 knots and ensuring excellent sailing performance. S/Y Amadeus has just undergone this past winter (2018) a major refit such as total repaint top to bottom, new rigging (BSI Denmark), Novourania with new Evinrude 75hp outboard, Splash pool, new Bimini/Sprayhood/Awnings, new exterior fabrics and many other enhancements. In 2016 new “North Sails” were placed onboard. The yacht is maintained in excellent condition with a five-star crew year round. Her generous uncluttered teak deck offers plenty of space for sunbathing. The spacious and unique outdoor saloon has two tables seating upto 12 guests and is a perfect setting for outdoor dining and entertainment. Thanks to a special canopy and roll-up windows, the deck saloon has the added attraction that it can be fully enclosed, making it ideal for all weather conditions. Her forward area includes a splash pool and sun bathing area which can also be shaded with a removable awning. From the cockpit, a stairway leads to the light-filled spacious saloon offering ample seating, ideal for relaxing or enjoying a drink from the bar, and offers a formal dining area. This area also includes a LCD TV, entertainment center, ipod dock station, playstation, and is ideal for indoor activities. She can accommodate 10-12 guests in one full width master stateroom, two double bedded cabins each having one extra single bed and two twin bedded cabins which can be easily converted to double beds (upon request), thus, making her the only 5 double bedded sailboat in the Greek market. She also has a nice selection of toys which include water ski (adult and children), tubes, inflatable canoes, wakeboard, fishing rod and snorkeling gear.

Cruising Area of Amadeus

Accommodations, specification, water sports, scuba diving, entertainment, amadeus crew profile, chief stewardess.

CAPTAIN - Harry Fotopoulos Captain Harry is a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy and holds a Captain Class A’ Diploma. He also holds a Canadian Commercial Pilot license class B, sailing and speedboat license. He has over 15 years of experience onboard many types of Charter Yachts. He holds Certificates in GMDSS, Fire Fighting & First Aid, Personal Safety, Life Saving, and Ship Security. He has a great knowledge of the Greek islands and will navigate guests to remarkable destinations. During his one season on board he showed great leadership skills and received positive feedback from all guests. He is calm yet very outgoing and speaks very good English. DECKHAND - Konstantinos Santas CHIEF STEWARDESS - Mirella Davint Mirella has 8+ years of experience as a stewardess onboard charter and private yachts. She has a very pleasant personality and she aims to accommodate her guests to the fullest. Comments received from previous guests are memorable. This will be Mirella’s eighth season onboard. Mirella speaks English and she is 38 years old. ENGINEER - Stelios Mandos Stelios holds an Engineer Class B’ Diploma from the Greek Merchant Marine Academy as well as a Sailor’s License. He has over 15 years of experience onboard Ocean-Going Vessels and Charter Yachts. His hobbies include spearfishing and sailing. He speaks good English. Stelios is 45 years old, married with two children. CHEF - Thanasis Kiritsis Thanasis is 39 years old and has worked as a chef for more than 20 years in numerous hotels restaurants, yachts and resorts including owning his own pastry shop / bakery for 5 years. Thanasis looks forward to welcoming his guests on board and introducing them to his culinary world. He speaks good English and Greek. He is a young chef full of energy, skills and passion towards his job. We are confident that he will serve his guests unforgettable flavors. ASSISTANT STEWARDESS - Anastasia Yurash Anastasia is 31 years old and has been in the yachting industry since 2021. Her working experience includes 7 years as a housekeeper and assistant stewardess. Anastasia speaks very good English. One of Anastasia’s strongest attributes is her appetite for work. She is also very sociable, welcoming and looks forward to having guests on board S/Y Amadeus. Her hobbies include Latin dancing, snowboard and yoga.

Amadeus Calendar

Amadeus reservations & port locations, amadeus rates / week, low price: €35,000, high price: €42,500, additional rate details, amadeus guest reviews, amadeus / charter july 20-27, 2019.

Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 9:02 PM Hi George, client just informed me, that he and his friends were very happy. Good atmosphere on board, excellent crew, good chef and professional service. Yacht in good condition, nice cabins. The proposed itinerary was good. Clients intend to book AMADEUS next summer again. Please send my big thank you to the Captain. Best regards,

Amadeus Sample Menu

Breakfast selections.

Freshly Squeezed Orange And/Or Grapefruit Juice

Selection Of Other Juices Such As Peach, Pineapple, Tomato.

Fresh Milk Cold And/Or Hot.

Freshly Brewed Coffee And/Or Decaf Coffee, Cappuccino, Espresso (Nespresso)

Hot Or Cold Chocolate, Selection Of Teas Served With Lemon, Honey And/Or Milk.

Breads: Plain Croissant, Chocolate Croissant, Brioche, Muffins, Traditional Greek Bread,

Rolls, Pastries, Toast White/Wheat/Rye.

Selection Of Jams And Marmalades Such As Apricot, Strawberry, Rasberry, Orange And Honey.

Selection Of Cheese Such As Emmental, Edam, Gruyere, Kefalotiri, Graviera,

Cream Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Cheese Spread.

Ham, Bacon, Salami, Smoked Turkey, Prosciutto.

Choice Of: Scrambled Eggs, Boiled Eggs, Fried Eggs, Poached Eggs, Omelets.

Eggs And Omelets Are Prepared To Order And Accompanied According To The Guest’s Requests.

Pancakes, Served With Jam, Honey, Maple Syrup, Fruits And/Or Whipped Cream.

Home-Made Carrot Cake.

Selection Of Cereals Such As Corn Flakes, Bran,Rice Crispies , Muesli.

Greek Plain Yoghurt And Fruit Yoghurt.

Fruit Salad, Half Grapefruit, Mixed Berries, Stewed Prunes, Dried Fruits And Nuts.

LUNCH SELECTIONS

Greek Salad With Marinated Anchovy And Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Fresh Talliatele With Mushrooms And Parmesan Chips

Seawolf Fiilet With Vegetables Briam, Fried Caper And Fresh Thyme Panacotta With Ginger

Salad With Radish, Dill, Parsley, Arabic Pita Bread And Soumak

Egg-Plant Napoleon With Feta Cheese And Tomato Couli

Chicken Roll, Cous-Cous With Raisins, Pine Nut And Orange Sauce Walnut Cake With Vanilla Ice-Cream

Salad With Grilled Peach And Apricot And Watermelon Vinaigrette Sauce

Risotto With Red Mullet, Pine Nuts And Sun Dried Tomato

Pork Loin Filled With Naxos Graviere

Halvas (Semolina) With Korinthous Raisins Kai Cinnamon

Salad With Fennel Root, Olives And Orange

Tarte With Goat Cheese And Green Apple

Gurnet Fillet With Lemon Sauce Baby Potatoes And Parsley

Yogurt Mousse With Fresh Vanilla

Watermelon Salad,Feta Onion And Lemon Sauce, Balsamic Vinegar And Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Stuffed Squid With Chocolate Sauce

Tuna Fillet With Orange Confite And Red Wine Sauce

Peach Cheesecake

Green Salad With Smoked Salmon And Salmon Eggs

Mussels With Fresh White Cheese (Anthotiro) And Peppers

Sole Fillet Saute With Spring Onion And Fava (Yellow Split Peas) Fron Santorini Island

Galaktompoureko (Pastry Fillo Filled With Cream) And Orange Couli

Salad With Rocket, Parmezan Flakes, Sun Dried Tomato And Caramel Balsamic Sauce

Grilled Octapus With Chick Peas And Lemon

Anglerfish Stew With Green Talliatele

Tiramisu With Aigina Pistachios

DINNER SELECTIONS

Salad With Cretan Hard Bread , Tomato And Fresh White Cheese (Anthotiro) Grilled Vegetables Napoleon With Mastello (Chios Cheese) Bream Fillet With Crust From Cuttlefish Ink, Artichoke Mousse And Marinated Fennel Root Chocolate Souffle With Ice-Cream

Green Salad With Cottage Cheese, Walnuts And Extra Virgin Olive Oil With Herbs Cabbage Leafs Filled With Shrimps, Cracked Wheat And Egg-Lemon Sauce And Ginger T-Bone Steak With Mushrooms Sauce,Dofinouaze Potato Trifle With Coffee

Caesars Salad With Poached Egg, Parmesan Tuille And Mustard Crackers Fousili With Pesto Sauce And King Prawns Cod Fish Cooked With Safron, Green Olives And Potato Kantaifi With Pistachio And Ice Cream

Mozzarella Buffal0 With Black Eyed Beans And Fennel Rizotto Venere With Chicken Breast And Crawfish Rib-Eye With Fresh Potato Chips And Vegetable Sauce Almond Pie With Chocolate

Baby Spinach Salad, Pears With Pepper And Walnut Vinegar From Blackberry Beef Carpaccio With Caper, Parmesan And Rocket Gilthead Fillet, Vegetable Chips And Hot Balsamic Sauce Greek Loukoumades, Thyme Honey And Walnuts

Cracked Wheat Salad, Parsley,Cucumber,Tomato And Pomegrenade Sauce Goat And Feta Cheese Croquete, Orange And Cumin Sauce Pork Souvlaki, Greek Pita Bread, Tzatziki Sauce And French Fries Caltsounia (Pastry) With Manouri Cheese, Mint, Honey-Orange Sauce

Grilled Vegetables Salad And Chaloumi (Cyprus Cheese) Eggplant “Papoutsakia”, Mince Meat With Fresh Tomato Sauce Spagetti Flavored With Cutlefish Ink, Shrimps Hazelnut Cream Profiterolle

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AMADEUS is a fast cruising sailing yacht built by the famous Dynamique Yachts shipyard and totally refit in 2004, she was designed to please the most demanding of yachtsmen. Built for smooth sailing, this elegant cutter rigged sloop has a sleek hull design that enables her to comfortably reach top speeds of 12 knots and ensures excellent sailing performance.

This sailing yacht's generous uncluttered teak deck with a foredeck pool, offers plenty of space for sunbathing. The spacious and unique outdoor saloon has two tables, a bar and barbeque, a perfect setting for outdoor dining and entertainment. Thanks to a special canopy and roll-up windows, the deck saloon has the added attraction that it can be fully enclosed, making it ideal for all weather conditions. From the cockpit, a stairway leads to the light-filled spacious saloon offering ample seating, ideal for relaxing or enjoying a drink from the bar, and a formal dining area with seating for up to 12 guests.

Accomodation is offered for up to 12 guests in 5 spacious cabins: the bow master cabin on AMADEUS features a double bed, vanity unit and generous storage facilities, as well as audio/visual entertainment. The en-suite bath includes a shower and separate large bath. Two double cabins with additional single bunks situated forward. Two twin cabins situated aft. All cabins with en suite facilities and audio/visual entertainment. Crew of 5 in separate quarters.

Special Features :

- Fast cruising sailing yacht - Spacious teck deck, sunbathing areas - Outdoor saloon with a bar and barbecue

Tender: Novourania tender 4.20m with YAMAHA X 70hp plus MERCURY x 10hp

Activities : Wakeboard , Kayak , Snorkeling equipment , Waterskis , Fishing equipment , Monoski , Tender , Tubes .

Summer : East Mediterranean Greece - The Cyclades Islands | Turkey | Greece – The Ionian Islands

Winter : East Mediterranean Greece - The Cyclades Islands | Turkey | Greece – The Ionian Islands

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• Receive the brochure of this yacht
• FR +33 AC +247 AD +376 AE +971 AF +93 AG +1 AI +1 AL +355 AM +374 AO +244 AR +54 AS +1 AT +43 AU +61 AW +297 AX +358 AZ +994 BA +387 BB +1 BD +880 BE +32 BF +226 BG +359 BH +973 BI +257 BJ +229 BL +590 BM +1 BN +673 BO +591 BQ +599 BR +55 BS +1 BT +975 BW +267 BY +375 BZ +501 CA +1 CC +61 CD +243 CF +236 CG +242 CH +41 CI +225 CK +682 CL +56 CM +237 CN +86 CO +57 CR +506 CU +53 CV +238 CW +599 CX +61 CY +357 CZ +420 DE +49 DJ +253 DK +45 DM +1 DO +1 DZ +213 EC +593 EE +372 EG +20 EH +212 ER +291 ES +34 ET +251 FI +358 FJ +679 FK +500 FM +691 FO +298 FR +33 GA +241 GB +44 GD +1 GE +995 GF +594 GG +44 GH +233 GI +350 GL +299 GM +220 GN +224 GP +590 GR +30 GT +502 GU +1 GW +245 GY +592 HK +852 HN +504 HR +385 HT +509 HU +36 ID +62 IE +353 IL +972 IM +44 IN +91 IQ +964 IR +98 IS +354 IT +39 JE +44 JM +1 JO +962 JP +81 KE +254 KG +996 KH +855 KI +686 KM +269 KN +1 KP +850 KR +82 KW +965 KY +1 KZ +7 LA +856 LB +961 LC +1 LI +423 LK +94 LR +231 LS +266 LT +370 LU +352 LV +371 LY +218 MA +212 MC +377 MD +373 ME +382 MF +590 MG +261 MH +692 MK +389 ML +223 MM +95 MN +976 MO +853 MP +1 MQ +596 MR +222 MS +1 MT +356 MU +230 MV +960 MW +265 MX +52 MY +60 MZ +258 NA +264 NC +687 NE +227 NF +672 NG +234 NI +505 NL +31 NO +47 NP +977 NR +674 NU +683 NZ +64 OM +968 PA +507 PE +51 PF +689 PG +675 PH +63 PK +92 PL +48 PM +508 PR +1 PS +970 PT +351 PW +680 PY +595 QA +974 RE +262 RO +40 RS +381 RU +7 RW +250 SA +966 SB +677 SC +248 SD +249 SE +46 SG +65 SH +290 SI +386 SJ +47 SK +421 SL +232 SM +378 SN +221 SO +252 SR +597 SS +211 ST +239 SV +503 SX +1 SY +963 SZ +268 TC +1 TD +235 TG +228 TH +66 TJ +992 TL +670 TM +993 TN +216 TO +676 TR +90 TT +1 TV +688 TW +886 TZ +255 UA +380 UG +256 US +1 UY +598 UZ +998 VA +39 VC +1 VE +58 VG +1 VI +1 VN +84 VU +678 WF +681 WS +685 XK +383 YE +967 YT +262 ZA +27 ZM +260 ZW +263

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About Amadeus

Charter rates.

specifications

• Length 33.52M (110′)
• Beam 7.53M (25′-4″)

Builder Dynamique Yachts

• Year of build 1996

Tenders & Toys

• Fishing equipment
• inflatable canoes
• On deck pool
• Snorkeling gear

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Built by the famous Dynamique Yachts shipyard, and having undergone a total refit in 2014, S/Y Amadeus was designed to please the most demanding of yachtsmen.

Built for smooth sailing, this elegant cutter rigged sloop has a sleek hull design, comfortably reaching top speeds of 12 knots and ensuring excellent sailing performance. Accommodation is offered for up to 12 guests in 5 spacious cabins (one master cabin, two identical double cabins with additional single bunks, two identical twin cabins) all with en suite facilities and audio/visual entertainment.

General Description

Carian Coast, Ionian Islands

Dynamique Yachts

1996 / 2018

Rates (MYBA Terms: + ALL)

45,500 € per week

35,000 € per week

2018 Nuvorania tender 4.60m Outboard EVINRUDE 75hp Splash pool Water Skis (adult and kids) Mono Ski Wakeboard

2 Tubes Inflatable Kayak Fishing Gear Snorkeling Equipment 4 Yoga mats

Destinations

Carian Coast

Superb historical sites set in magnificent scenery

Ionian Islands

Unforgettable Sailing Holidays

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A General Description of Sailing Yacht AMADEUS

AMADEUS was previously registered as project/yacht name Amadeus 1er. This 33 metre (109 ft) luxury yacht was built by Dynamique Yachts in 1991. Sailing Yacht AMADEUS is a well proportioned superyacht. The yacht is a modern sloop with a cutter rig. The naval architecture office whom authored the design work on this ship was Philippe Briand. Luxury yacht AMADEUS is a quality yacht that is able to accommodate as many as 12 guests on board and has a total of 5 crew members.

Sailing yacht AMADEUS was built by the famous Dynamique Yachts shipyard .The yacht features superb sailing characteristics which are complimented by her spacious interior and abundant deck space. Sailing sloop AMADEUS can accommodate 10 passengers in five cabins. With one large master stateroom and four additional cabins which are all air conditioned and have en suite bathrooms. She also has two separate salons and a full dining room. The aft deck is fully covered with seating. The fore deck has an unique pool on deck and swimming in the sea is made accessible by a large swim aft platform.

The Construction & Naval Architecture relating to Luxury Yacht AMADEUS

Philippe Briand was the naval architect firm involved in the formal nautical design work for AMADEUS. Also the company Philippe Briand skillfully collaborated on this undertaking. In 1991 she was actually launched to triumph in Marans and following sea trials and final completion was afterwards passed on to the yacht owner. Dynamique Yachts completed their new build sailing yacht in France. A reasonable proportion is brought about with a maximum beam (width) of 7.5 metres / 24.6 feet. With a 3.6m (11.8ft) draught (maximum depth) she is reasonably deep. The material composite was used in the building of the hull of the sailing yacht. Her superstructure above deck is built with the use of composite. Over the deck of AMADEUS she is 32.7 (107.3 ft) in length. In 2004 extra refitting and modernisation was also finished.

Engines & Speed For S/Y AMADEUS:

She is driven by twin screw propellers. The main engine of the ship gives 375 horse power (or 276 kilowatts). She is equiped with 2 engines. The combined thrust for the boat is therefore 750 HP / 552 KW.

On board Superyacht AMADEUS She has The Following Guest Accommodation Format:

Bestowing bedding for a maximum of 12 yacht guests sleeping aboard, the AMADEUS accommodates them in style. Normally the vessel requires approximately 5 professional crewmembers to run.

A List of the Specifications of the AMADEUS:

Further information on the yacht.

Condaria is the company that installed the A/C on the yacht. AMADEUS features a teak deck.

AMADEUS Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht AMADEUS displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

Quick Enquiry

"Indeed we believe that the first function of a sailing yacht is the aesthetics and we spent a lot of time in refining the lines during the project." - "I understood very young that to win a race you have to have the best boat, and so I started to be interested about the technology and the design of the boat." - Philippe Briand

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AMADEUS 110' Fully Crewed Sailing Yacht

• Summer Locations: Greece , Turkey Winter Locations: Greece
• Max Guests : 12    Cabins : 5    Crew : 6
• Starting at : EUR €39,500 (approx. $45,820 USD )

Charter rates do not include expenses or taxes

Her master cabin features a walk around king bed, desk/vanity, and en-suite bathroom. Additionally, there are two guest cabins each with a queen bed convertible to two twins, and two guest cabins each with a queen bed and twin bed. Each guest cabin has an en-suite.

Her main salon has a spacious, contoured conversational area, along with a large, flatscreen T.V. The aft deck features al fresco dining with Bimini top. Up on deck there are sun pads and a splash pool for you and your guests to enjoy.

Watersports offered include a 15 foot tender with 75hp engine, water skis for adults and children, tube, wakeboard, kayak, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, and rendezvous diving.

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Additional Sailing Yachts with 5 cabins:

LONG ISLAND 127' sailing yacht

Can sleep up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms Weekly rate starts at: EUR €45,500 (approx. $52,780 USD)

Summer Locations: Turkey

See additional pictures and info about LONG ISLAND »    Contact us about LONG ISLAND »

TIGRA 124' sailing yacht

Can sleep up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms Weekly rate starts at: EUR €32,000 (approx. $37,120 USD)

Winter Locations: Greece , Turkey

Summer Locations: Greece , Turkey

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ALTHEA 122' sailing yacht

Can sleep up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms Weekly rate starts at: EUR €39,500 (approx. $45,820 USD)

Winter Locations: Greece

Summer Locations: Greece

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AMADEUS 110' sailing yacht

Can sleep up to 12 guests in 5 staterooms Weekly rate starts at: EUR €39,500 (approx. $45,820 USD)

See additional pictures and info about AMADEUS »    Contact us about AMADEUS »

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Sailing Yacht | Amadeus

Fuel Capacity

Water capacity, sailing yacht amadeus | luxury crewed monohull.

Sailing yacht AMADEUS is a stunning 110 ft yacht available for charter in Greece. With a clean, spacious teak deck and a unique outdoor saloon that can seat up to 12 guests across two tables, it’s the perfect place for outdoor dining and entertainment. The deck saloon can also be enclosed with a special canopy and roll-up windows, making it suitable for use in all weather conditions. At the front of the boat, there’s a splash pool and sunbathing area with a removable awning for shade.

Inside the boat, a staircase from the cockpit leads to a well-lit and roomy saloon area with plenty of seating, including a formal dining area, bar, LCD TV, entertainment center, iPod dock station, and Playstation. Sailing Yacht AMADEUS can accommodate 10-12 guests in five large cabins, including a full-width master stateroom and two double cabins, each with an extra single bed. The two twin cabins can also be converted to doubles upon request, making her the only sailboat on the Greek market with five double beds.

To add to the fun, sailing yacht AMADEUS also comes with a range of water toys, including adult and children’s water skis, tubes, inflatable canoes, wakeboard, fishing rod, and snorkeling gear. She was built by Dynamique Yachts in 1996 and underwent a refit in 2014/2018.

ACCOMMODATION

• 1 Master cabin
• 2 VIP cabins
• 2 Twin cabins

Accomodation is offered for 10 -12 guests in 5 spacious cabins: Master cabin forward features a double bed, vanity unit and generous storage facilities, as well as audio/visual entertainment. The en-suite includess a large bath tub, shower and separate WC. Two identical double cabins with additional single bunks situated forward. Two identical double cabins situated aft which can be convertible to twins. (Total 5 double beds) All cabins with en suite facilities and audio/visual entertainment.

A professional crew of 5-6 members are accommodated in separate quarters.

Note that these specifications may vary slightly depending on the specific yacht’s configuration and modifications made by the owner.

New rigging BSI Denmark (2018) New North Sails (2016) Nuvorania tender 4.60m with a New Outboard EVINRUDE E tec 75hp Engines: 2 x 320HP Perkins Rolls Royce Generators: 1 Northern Lights x 25KW, 1 ONAN x 60KW Cruising speed: 10 Fuel consumption: 120 Litres/Hr Generators: 250 Liters/Day

Navigation and safety

• Outside GPS plotter
• Bow thruster
• Electric winches
• Classic mainsail

Saloon and cabins

• Air conditioning
• Coffee machine
• Kitchen utensils
• Pillows and blankets

Entertainment

• LCD 27″ TV, VCR, & CD entertainment systems in Saloon
• X-Box ONE X & Playstation 3 in Saloon
• Master cabin: TV, CD, & DVD entertainment systems
• Double cabins: TV, CD, & DVD entertainment systems
• Twin cabins (convertible to Doubles):TV, CD, & DVD entertainment systems

Water Sports

• Tender & Toys:
• 2018 Nuvorania tender 4.60m with a New Outboard EVINRUDE E tec75hp
• Water Skis (adult and kids)
• Inflatable Kayak
• Fishing Gear
• Snorkelling Equipment
• 4 Yoga mats
• Bathing platform
• Stand Up Paddle

Weekly price: €35,000 – €42,500

Low Season | High Season

Charter Type: Crewed

Berths: 10-12 guests, sailing area: argo-saronic, departure ports: alimos, athens, send us your request, personal information, booking information.

Odyssey Sailing is registered and bonded with the Greek National Tourist Organisation (GNTO – EOT) and is a member of the Hellenic Yacht Brokers Association (HYBA).

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Antonopoulou 158D Volos, 38221, Greece

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Length 33,5m / 109′ ft.

Built/Last Refit 2009/2021

Weekly rate Low € 35.000

Weekly rate High € 45.500

Accommodation

Luxury yacht AMADEUS can accommodate up to 12 guests in 5 cabins. One Master cabin with small desk and en suite facilities (wc separate from bath and shower). Two double cabins with additional single bed and two twin cabins. All cabins with en suite facilities.

Charter Amenities and Extras

S/Y AMADEUS has the following extras onboard: Tenders & Toys include Novourania tender 4.20m with YAMAHA X 70hp plus, MERCURY x 10hp, Water Skis, Mono Ski, Wakeboard, 2 Tubes, Fishing Gear, Snorkelling Equipment, Communications include VHF-GMDSS, Cellular phone, Radar, E-Mail/internet access, Audio Visual Equipment and Deck Facilities include Master cabin: TV, CD, & DVD entertainment system, Double cabins: TV, CD, & DVD entertainment system, Twin cabins: TV, CD, & DVD entertainment system, Saloon: LCD 27’ TV, VCR, & CD entertainment system.

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Charter the AMADEUS

AMADEUS is a 110-foot sailing yacht that can accommodate ten to twelve passengers in five staterooms as follows: a spacious Owner’s stateroom with a double bed, a vanity and an entertainment unit including TV, DVD and music system; two cabins with a double bed and an additional single bed; two cabins with two twin beds each. All staterooms have en suite bathrooms, a TV, DVD and CD player. There are two separate salons onboard as well as a full dining room. The aft deck is fully covered and has seating for all guests to dine in the open air. Forward of the cockpit is a lovely cushioned area for sunning and an unusual pool is found in the fore of the yacht. Swimming in the sea is made accessible by the large swim aft platform.

Image Gallery

Yacht Specifications:

Length: (33.26m/109.11ft), yacht type: sailing yachts, beam: 24.7 ft, built: 1996 | 2018, draft: 12.10 ft, builder: dynamic, guests: 10-12, engines: 2 x 320hp perkins rolls royce, generators: 1 northern lights x 25kw, 1 onan x 60kw, fuel: 120 ltrs/hr, configuration: 1 master cabin, 2 doubles cabins with a single bed each, 2 twin cabins, cruising speed: 10 knots/hr.

(*All specifications are given in good faith and offered for informational purposes only. Yacht inventory, specifications and charter rates are subject to change without prior notice.*)

Recreational Equipment

• NEW Novorania tender 4.60m with NEW EVINRUDE 75hp plus MERCURY x 10hp • Wakeboard • Water Skis (adult and kids), Mono Ski • 2 Tubes • Kayak • 4 Yoga mats • Fishing Gear Snorkelling Equipment

Weekly Rates

High season: €42,500/week, med season: €37,500/week, low season: €35,000/week.

(*Rates are given based on a week charter / Rates are subject to change without notice*)

Customer Reviews

I could no joke die tomorrow and be a happy man. ~ Matthew F.

Although we have traveled just about all over the world, this was probably our best vacation ever. We will be back! ~ Louise Z.

Our trip was FABULOUS! More than exceeded expectations. ~ Anne G.

We have just completed a vacation that I have thought about for a lot of years. Thank you all for making a dream come true!!!! ~ Mae & Bill M.

Everyone is still talking about the trip and I cannot imagine it going any better. ~ Jack D.

Interested in this yacht?

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Destination Greece Turkey Montenegro and Croatia West Mediterranean

Number of Guests 1 2 - 4 4 - 6 6 - 8 8 - 10 10 - 12 12+

Number of Cabins 3 Cabin 4 Cabins 5 Cabins 6 Cabins 7 Cabins 8+ Cabins

Yacht Length 45ft - 70ft 70ft - 110ft 110ft - 130ft 130ft - 160ft 160ft +

Weekly Rate < €14,000 €14,000 - 35,000€ 35,000€ - 49,000€ 49,000€ - 70,000€ 70,000€ - 105,000€ 105,000€ - 175,000€ 175,000€ +

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AMADEUS YACHT CHARTER

21.95m  /  72'   sunseeker   2008.

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Cabin Configuration

Special Features:

• Cruising speed of 22 knots
• Sleeps 6 guests
• Williams Jet RIB

Luxury yacht Amadeus is the perfect charter platform for yachting vacations spent entertaining in style

The 21.95m/72' motor yacht 'Amadeus' by the British shipyard Sunseeker offers flexible accommodation for up to 6 guests in 3 cabins.

If you're looking for a family-friendly yacht with plenty of onboard amenities, Amadeus is the perfect choice, promising superb charter vacations whatever the destination.

Guest Accommodation

Built in 2008, Amadeus offers guest accommodation for up to 6 guests in 3 suites comprising a master suite, one VIP cabin and one twin cabin. There are 4 beds in total, including 1 queen, 1 double and 2 singles. She is also capable of carrying up to 2 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht charter experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Whatever your activities on your charter, you'll find some impressive features are seamlessly integrated to help you, notably Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to stay connected at all times, should you wish. Guests will experience complete comfort while chartering thanks to air conditioning.

Performance & Range

Powered by twin MAN engines, she comfortably cruises at 22 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 35 knots with a range of up to 250 nautical miles.

Onboard Amadeus has a range of toys and accessories to keep you and your guests entertained on the water throughout your stay. Principle among these are Super wid waterskis that are hugely entertaining whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro. Another excellent feature are O' Brien Ace wakeboards so guests can show off at speed. When it's time to travel from land to see, it couldn't be easier with a Williams Jet RIB.

Motor yacht Amadeus boasts an impressive array of outstanding amenities for truly out-of-this-world charter vacations that you’ll never forget.

TESTIMONIALS

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Amadeus Photos

Amenities & Entertainment

For your relaxation and entertainment Amadeus has the following facilities, for more details please speak to your yacht charter broker.

Amadeus is reported to be available to Charter with the following recreation facilities:

• 1 x Williams 325 Jet RIB 100 HP engine

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

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For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

'Amadeus' Charter Rates & Destinations

Please contact your charter broker for a quote or check availability .

Charter Amadeus

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Built by the famous Dynamique Yachts shipyard and having undergone a refit in 2018, sailing Yacht Amadeus was designed to please the most demanding of yachtsmen. Built for smooth sailing, this elegant cutter rigged sloop has a sleek hull design, comfortably reaching top speeds of 12 knots and ensuring excellent sailing performance. ...

The 33.5m/109'11" 'Amadeus' sail yacht built by the French shipyard Dynamiq is available for charter for up to 10 guests in 5 cabins. This yacht features interior styling by French designer Philippe Briand. Whether you are after the thrill of sailing or prefer to kick back, Amadeus is custom-built for adventure, offering a ring-side seat at the heart of the action once her sails have unfurled ...

Sailing yacht AMADEUS is a luxury vessel that measures 33.5m (109.9ft) in length. She was built by the famous Dynamique Yachts shipyard in 1995 and received a total refit in 2004 and smaller refits in 2012/14 and 2018 plus new interior fabrics in 2022. AMADEUS is an elegant cutter rigged sloop with a sleek hull design painted in an eye-catching ...

Amadeus Description. Built by the famous Dynamique Yachts shipyard, and having undergone a total refit in 2018, S/Y Amadeus was designed to please the most demanding of yachtsmen. Built for smooth sailing, this elegant cutter rigged sloop has a sleek hull design, comfortably reaching top speeds of 12 knots and ensuring excellent sailing ...

Length : 30.2 m / Passengers : 8. Special features : - One of the most elegant SW100- Excellent and experienced crew- Very elegant interiors- Available in West and East Med- Large outdoor spaceTender: 4.30... Price Per week from : 46 000€. View this yacht. AMADEUS is a fast cruising sailing yacht built by Dynamique Yachts and totally refit in ...

The 23.85m/78'3" sail yacht 'Amadeus' was built by Custom. Her interior is styled by design house Jean Marc Piaton and she was completed in 2018. Guest Accommodation. Amadeus has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 8 guests in 4 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 2 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Built by the famous Dynamique Yachts shipyard, and having undergone a total refit in 2018. S/Y Amadeus was designed to please the most demanding of yachtsmen. Built for smooth sailing, this elegant cutter rigged sloop has a sleek hull design. Comfortably reaching top speeds of 12 knots and ensuring excellent sailing performance.

The yacht is maintained in excellent condition with a five-star crew year round. Sailing Yacht Amadeus was designed to please the most demanding of yachtsmen. Built for smooth sailing, this elegant cutter rigged sloop has a sleek hull design, comfortably reaching top speeds of 12 knots and ensuring excellent sailing performance.

AMADEUS I is a 44m/144' motor yacht for charter delivered by the Timmerman shipyard in 2014. Considered as a great luxury charter yacht for friends and family, AMADEUS I was fully upgraded in 2019. Her key features include a huge sundeck with a jacuzzi pool plus a brand-new beach club with a gym and sauna at sea level.

Built by the famous Dynamique Yachts shipyard, and having undergone a total refit in 2014, S/Y Amadeus was designed to please the most demanding of yachtsmen. Built for smooth sailing, this elegant cutter rigged sloop has a sleek hull design, comfortably reaching top speeds of 12 knots and ensuring excellent sailing performance.

AMADEUS was previously registered as project/yacht name Amadeus 1er. This 33 metre (109 ft) luxury yacht was built by Dynamique Yachts in 1991. Sailing Yacht AMADEUS is a well proportioned superyacht. The yacht is a modern sloop with a cutter rig. The naval architecture office whom authored the design work on this ship was Philippe Briand.

Amadeus is a 33.5 m sailing yacht. She was built by Dynamique Yachts in 1991. With a beam of 7.5 m and a draft of 3.9 m. The sailing yacht can accommodate 12 guests in 5 cabins. The yacht was designed by Philippe Briand.

Launched in 1996 by Dynamique Yachts, Amadeus is a 110 foot sailing sloop. To keep her up to date and comfortable for her guests, she has received refits in 2014 and 2018. She has been fitted with twin 320hp Perkins Rolls Royce engines for power, along with her sails.

33.5m / 109'11 Dragos Yachts 1996 / 2007. The 34.75m/114' 'Amadeus' motor yacht built by shipyard Dragos Yachts is available for charter for up to 12 guests in 5 cabins. This yacht features interior styling by Ugar Kose. Built in 1996, Amadeus's bespoke fittings and design ensure guests can explore the ocean's wonders in style and comfort.

Sailing Yacht AMADEUS can accommodate 10-12 guests in five large cabins, including a full-width master stateroom and two double cabins, each with an extra single bed. The two twin cabins can also be converted to doubles upon request, making her the only sailboat on the Greek market with five double beds.

Fully crewed Sailing Yacht AMADEUS available for private yacht charter in Greece, the best sailing holidays & vacation in the Greek Islands. +30 6948 295 207. [email protected] . Aten, Solonos 22-24, Agii Anargiri 135 61, Greece ... Sailing Yachts; Motor Sailer; Yacht Charter Terms; V.I.P. Services; Destinations; About us;

Charter theAMADEUS. AMADEUS is a 110-foot sailing yacht that can accommodate ten to twelve passengers in five staterooms as follows: a spacious Owner's stateroom with a double bed, a vanity and an entertainment unit including TV, DVD and music system; two cabins with a double bed and an additional single bed; two cabins with two twin beds each.

AMADEUS I is a 44m luxury motor super yacht available for charter built in 2014, refitted in 2019. Charter up to 10 guests in 5 cabins (1 Master, 2 VIP, 3 Double & 2 Twin) with a crew of 9. She is also available for events and corporate charter.

No:7 Kuşadası 09400 Aydın. + (90) 256 340 03 40. [email protected] . Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 18:00. Closed on Weekends. Istanbul Branch - Türkiye. Moscow - Russia. London - United Kingdom. New York - United States of America.

Küçükbakkalköy Mah. Fevzipaşa Cad. Bozkır Sok. No:1 ,K:3 D:15 Ataşehir 34750 Istanbul + (90) 216 900 28 62 +(90) 216 576 47 90. [email protected]

Get directions to Yuzhny prospekt, 6к1 and view details like the building's postal code, description, photos, and reviews on each business in the building

The 21.95m/72' 'Amadeus' motor yacht built by the British shipyard Sunseeker is available for charter for up to 6 guests in 3 cabins.. Primed for exploring secluded beaches and tucked-away lagoons or simply relaxing and soaking up the rays onboard, motor yacht Amadeus is tailor-made for family fun.

Known as the "Motor City of Russia." Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname "Motor City" due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.. Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant. Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

1mdb scandal case study

• Contributors

Goldman Sachs and the 1MDB Scandal

Dennis M. Kelleher is President and CEO at Better Markets. This post is based on a report prepared by Better Markets.

1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was a Malaysian government owned and controlled investment fund created in 2009 by former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The professed purpose of 1MDB was to attract foreign investment and development in Malaysia to benefit all the people of Malaysia. Instead, it has been referred to as “ kleptocracy at its worst ” and potentially “one of the greatest financial heists in history,” with possibly more than $10 billion looted. Worst of all, hundreds of millions of those looted dollars were allegedly used to steal an election and keep the corrupt prime minister in power for five additional years, when his opponents were crushed and at least one prosecutor was brutally murdered, suffering “ a horrific death .”

Goldman’s position is that a “rogue” banker lied and fooled all of the smartest, highest paid bankers in the world, all of Goldman’s risk, compliance, legal and audit systems and controls, and all of Goldman’s management.

Much of that appears to have only been made possible by 1MDB’s banker, Goldman Sachs, which was involved with 1MDB from 2009 until late 2014. In particular, in addition to advising 1MDB, Goldman managed three no-bid, privately placed bond issues from May 2012–March 2013 that raised about $6.5 billion from investors around the world. However, more than half of that was reportedly looted by the prime minister and his cronies. Goldman’s take for the three offerings alone was reportedly an astonishing $600 million.

As reporter Matt Taibbi (who famously referred to Goldman as “a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money”) observed , while there is nothing new about corrupt politicians plundering their country for their personal benefit, that is usually done by exploiting the tangible assets of the country. Taibbi points out that Najib was different. He allegedly stole the money raised by Goldman’s debt offerings and other borrowings.

He did not and could not do that alone. As John Pang, a former policy adviser to the prime minister’s office in Malaysia and advisor on the bond offerings reportedly said , “This is something completely new. And he couldn’t have done it without a bank the size of Goldman.” In fact, Mr. Pang went so far as to say

“All [Najib] needed was a signature and a couple of Goldman bankers.”

The highlights of the publicly reported story of Goldman’s critical involvement with 1MDB are presented in this report. It also presents many of the reported red flags and warning signs about 1MDB, which makes Goldman’s defense—that this was done by a rogue Goldman partner who has already pleaded guilty to criminal charges—implausible. Indeed, even many Goldman “ veterans are disturbed that the firm allegedly ignored or missed red flags. ” Nevertheless, as the investigations and lawsuits pile up, including a Malaysia criminal complaint seeking $7.5 billion in reparations, Goldman is steadfast in its “Four Monkeys” defense: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, and keep all the money.

Put differently, Goldman (other than the Goldman partner who has pleaded guilty) and everyone else connected to 1MDB deny all wrongdoing, liability and, for the most part, knowledge (including Najib). However, even if Goldman’s denials are true, doesn’t it just prove that, in addition to being too-big-to-fail, Goldman is also too-big-to-manage as well as too-big-to-regulate?

Moreover, is this what taxpayers bailed out Goldman Sachs in 2008 to do? Is this really the type of bank—and are these really the types of activities—that should even be backed by U.S. taxpayers? Remember that within days of the failure of Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs would also have failed and fallen into bankruptcy but for government bailouts. In fact, Goldman at the time was “panicked” and admitted it was “toast,” as reflected in an email on Friday September 20, 2008 to the New York Fed.

Yet, the following year after being bailed out and saved, Goldman’s then-CEO Lloyd Blankfein began the relationship with Malaysia, which has resulted in these enormous crimes, victimizing an entire country. While the scale and scope might be unusual, Goldman’s involvement with 1MDB is just the latest in Goldman’s long history of reported scandalous and illegal behavior, including but not limited to the Abacus and other subprime wrongdoings, the “vampire squid” expose , the AIG CDS backdoor bailout , Greek debt offering , Libyan Investment Fund , the firing of Fed examiner Carmen Segarra (detailed in her recent book ), the Greg Smith New York Times resignation over Goldman’s cultural bankruptcy, and numerous whistleblower complaints . Indeed, Goldman’s RAP sheet over the last 20 years or so includes at least 33 major legal actions alleging violations of dozens if not hundreds of laws and resulting in almost $10 billion in fines and settlements.

Finally, this report looks at the road ahead for Goldman, including the issue of too-big-to-jail, and the key choices that Goldman’s new CEO David Solomon faces. It asks whether Mr. Solomon will see this disaster as a golden opportunity to fix a broken culture, instill accountability, make restitution, rehabilitate a reputation and thereby usher in a new era for a storied bank. Or, will Mr. Solomon continue the broken model of the past: deny everything and fight everyone, enriching as many lawyers as possible for years until the inevitable ultimate settlement, by which time Goldman’s reputation will be in tatters yet again.

Goldman’s $6.5 Billion Role in Looting 1MDB and Reelecting a Corrupt Prime Minister

With numerous red flags suggesting fraud if not criminal conduct, Goldman pocketed the exorbitant amount of $600 million for placing $6.5 billion in three no-bid bond offerings over ten months in 2012-2013 for 1MDB . Two “former top [Goldman] partners said the amount of money Goldman Sachs made from relatively plain bond deals [alone] should have been a bright warning to its highest executives.” After Goldman’s take (more than “two hundred times the typical fee” according to some), the then-prime minister of Malaysia and his mostly inexperienced, youthful co-conspirators allegedly looted “over half” of the remaining funds virtually immediately and, with the assistance of Goldman Sachs’ partners, engaged in other crimes .

That was done under the noses of “ more than 30 Goldman Sachs executives, ” including the then-CEO , the then-COO and later President , the then co-head of investment banking and now current CEO, the then-Vice Chairman and many others, and reportedly after a rigorous review by no less than five internal Goldman committees.

Most importantly, just two months after Goldman’s third and largest 1MDB bond offering for $3 billion, the then-prime minister “won re-election by clinging to power with the most slender of margins,” as detailed in the explosive book Billion Dollar Whale . That appears to have only been possible due to “hundreds of millions of dollars” from the Goldman offering being immediately diverted “to the prime minister’s allies across the country” for bribes and other election-related fraud.

Goldman’s 1MDB bond offerings also funded an alleged corrupt, anti-democratic kleptocratic prime minister and enabled him to hold onto power Goldman enriching itself at the expense of a very poor country is bad enough (apparently as part of a business line set up by Goldman’s then-President Gary Cohn referred to as “ monetizing the state ”). However, Goldman’s 1MDB bond offerings also funded an allegedly corrupt, anti-democratic kleptocratic prime minister and enabled him to hold onto power for five additional years, during which time the prime minister’s opponents were imprisoned and killed.

These weren’t unknowable events. “In late April [2012], as Goldman prepared 1MDB’s first bond issue, some one hundred thousand anticorruption protestors poured out into the streets of Kuala Lumpur,” the capital of Malaysia. The April 2012 protest in the capital of Malaysia was “a last-ditch attempt to ensure clean elections, which were due to be held in mid-2013,” when they were hoping to oust “Prime Minister Najib’s kleptocratic regime.”

These April 2012 protests were the “largest democratic protest in Malaysia’s history.” The attempts to unseat the “kleptocratic regime” continued right through Goldman’s third offering in March 2013 and right up until the elections in May 2013, which the “kleptocratic regime” corruptly won with funds Goldman raised.

Thus, 1MDB isn’t just one of the biggest financial crimes of the century; it is a crime against an entire country and a catastrophic human, social and political tragedy. While there’s plenty of blame to go around and plenty of criminals and enablers involved, including many much worse than Goldman, it is difficult to see, based on the public record, how this tragedy would have been possible without Goldman’s instrumental role in raising $6.5 billion for 1MDB, advising on other deals, and providing 1MDB with the credibility that comes from having Goldman Sachs as your banker.

Goldman’s Partners Are Criminally Charged for Looting $4+ Billion from 1MDB

The seriousness of the crimes alleged and committed here cannot be overstated. Two former Goldman executives, who were the primary bankers on the 1MDB deals, have been criminally charged by the Department of Justice and a third even more senior executive has been placed on leave after being identified as an unindicted co-conspirator .

All three people were or are Goldman partners . One of the two charged, Goldman’s former Chairman of Southeast Asia, Tim Leissner, pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy and money laundering and faces many years in prison, maybe as long as life, as well as deportation, forfeiture of more than $40 million and other penalties . DOJ and other investigations in several countries are ongoing and additional criminal charges are likely, including possibly against Goldman Sachs itself .

It is not a surprise that the involvement of these three partners, however, is only the tip of the iceberg of Goldman staff, executives, officers and partners involved in Goldman’s relationship with Malaysia and the 1MDB deals. Indeed, then-CEO Lloyd Blankfein “personally helped forge ties with the country and 1MDB years before Goldman ever arranged the bond deals at the heart of the probes. Blankfein attended a 2009 meeting with the former Malaysian prime minister that laid the groundwork for the relationship between the two entities,” Bloomberg reported .

Moreover, any relationship that generated an apparent record of $600 or so million over a mere ten months would be expected to get the very close attention of Goldman’s most senior officers, including the then-co-head of investment banking and now CEO, David Solomon , as well as the CEO at that time. In fact, as noted above, Mr. Blankfein personally met with the now-imprisoned former Malaysia Prime Minister and his now-fugitive chief alleged co-conspirator , Jho Low, apparently at least twice and maybe more times. They reportedly discussed the 1MDB bond deals, seemingly an obvious topic of conversation.

Importantly, these meetings with Goldman’s then-CEO Blankfein were after Goldman’s “compliance department had raised multiple concerns about” the prime minister’s primary co-conspirator, the inexperienced Jho Low, who was only in his late 20s or early 30s, but nonetheless de facto ran the 1MDB fund. Maybe someone in Goldman’s compliance department did a quick Google search and discovered Jho Low’s own directly contradictory public accounts of his upbringing, background and sources of claimed wealth. There were also newspaper accounts as early as December 2009 that raised serious questions about Jho Low.

Additionally, a simple review of 1MDB’s financials should have quickly revealed inexplicable layering and innumerable huge financial transactions all over the world, including prominently in locations well-known for money laundering.

While there is some dispute about who knew what when about Mr. Low’s involvement in 1MDB, Goldman’s compliance department was adamant that “the bank should not do business with him” in 2010 and again later in 2013. That was reportedly because Goldman’s compliance group couldn’t determine how he obtained his wealth , one of innumerable glaring red flags about him and often a sure sign of criminal activity.

Nevertheless, Jho Low appears to have been in at least two meetings with Goldman’s then-CEO. In addition to what it says about the CEO’s regard for Goldman’s compliance department, that would undoubtedly have sent a message throughout the firm and elsewhere as to Jho Low’s credibility, reliability and reputation.

In addition, proving how extensive and important the relationship was, Goldman’s then-CEO reportedly arranged a special private meeting of some of Goldman’s top clients for the Prime Minister (and Jho Low?) to pitch: “he gave a pitch about Malaysia to a high-powered client meeting put together by Blankfein. Malaysia was so important for Goldman that Blankfein had roped in some of the biggest names in U.S. finance to attend,” including John Paulson and David Bonderman.

Goldman’s “Four Monkeys” and Rogue Defenses

As the extent and details of the outlandish, multi-billion-dollar alleged crimes have come to light, including Goldman’s far-reaching involvement with 1MDB, what has been Goldman’s response? It’s what we call Goldman’s “Four Monkeys” defense: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil and keep all the money.

The firm thus far is using the standard Wall Street playbook to deny all wrongdoing and proclaim total innocence, if not shamelessly suggesting that they are victims themselves. This approach was reflected in the dismissive comments by former CEO Blankfein:

“These are guys who evaded our safeguards, and lie, stuff like that’s going to happen…. Somebody’s going to use phones away from us, and personal this and personal that.”

David Solomon, the new CEO and former co-head of Investment Banking, which was the division that handled the 1MDB deals, was so outraged when the criminal charges involving no less than three Goldman executive partners were announced that he left a firmwide voicemail saying that he was, well, outraged: “I am personally outraged that any employee of the firm would undertake the actions spelled out in the” criminal indictments. Nothing communicates genuine outrage like a voicemail!

However, as more and more reporting revealed how extensive Goldman’s involvement in the crimes was, and as additional lawsuits were filed against it, including by Abu Dhabi’s state energy investment company and criminal charges by Malaysia , Goldman’s CEO Solomon decided to double down on Blankfein’s “those guys” defense by seeming to apologize. However, this non-apology was just the latest step in the bank’s strategy to try to pin the blame on just one Goldman guy:

“It is very clear that the people of Malaysia were defrauded by many individuals, including the highest members of the Malaysian government. For Leissner’s role [the Goldman partner who has pleaded guilty to multiple crimes] in that fraud, we apologize to the Malaysian people.”

While some in the media reported this non-apology from CEO Solomon as an actual apology ( “Goldman Sachs chief apologises to Malaysians for 1MDB scandal” ), most immediately saw it for the blame-shifting, non-apology that it was: “ Goldman Sachs’ Tactic in Malaysian Fraud Case: Smear an Ex-Partner .” Needless to say, this empty non-apology wasn’t well received in Malaysia: “Malaysia’s Finance Minister Wants Goldman’s $7.5 Billion, Not an Apology.”

For reasons apparently obvious to almost everyone but Goldman, this non-apology wasn’t all that effective and was doomed to fail from the start. It was quickly seen as part of Goldman’s “scorched-earth tactics” and “ a well-orchestrated campaign by Goldman Sachs to discredit one of its former partners and to minimize the Wall Street bank’s role in the looting of [1MDB].”

The “we was wronged by a rogue employee” is a common defense. However, most rogue employee cases involve one or at most two usually low-to-mid level employees. That’s why “rogue” is singular: it’s a one-off individual who engages in an outsized financial crime, like Nick Leeson at Barings , Jerome Kerviel at Societe Generale , or Kweku Adoboli at UBS.

Here, however, Goldman is trying to force-fit multiple, longtime, senior officers who were or are partners (plus whoever else might be behind all the redactions in the transcript of the hearing for Leissner’s plea agreement) into the “rogue” category. In addition, there were dozens of Goldman Sachs top bankers, partners and executives , including the then-CEO (Blankfein), the then-COO/later President (Gary Cohn), and the then-co-head of investment banking/now-CEO (Solomon), presumably flyspecking the 1MDB relationship, the bond offerings and the other deals. (And, don’t forget that all these senior executives undoubtedly personally pocketed substantial bonuses from the $600 million or so Goldman made from the 1MDB offerings.)

Nevertheless, Goldman wants the world to believe that no one at Goldman was smart enough to get a hint of one of the biggest frauds in the world happening right under their noses in a multi-year, multi-deal relationship that stretched from junior bankers to the most senior executives at the bank.

For example, it was Vice Chairman Michael Evans who had “a casual conversation” at the billionaires gathering in Davos, Switzerland in 2012 with the former prime minister that landed the third no bid offering for $3 billion. Just over a year after that offering, which provided “hundreds of millions of dollars” in bribes to re-elect the prime minister, Vice Chairman Evans reportedly was on the $500 million superyacht “Topaz” off the French Riviera with the former prime minister and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi discussing future exclusive and lucrative deals for Goldman. Not only had money stolen from 1MDB paid in part for the Topaz to be built, it also paid for renting it for that very trip and meeting. (This is in addition to the $250 million superyacht Jho Low had built for himself with stolen 1MDB money.)

Yet, Goldman’s position is that a “rogue” banker lied and fooled all of the smartest, highest paid bankers in the world, all of Goldman’s risk, compliance, legal and audit systems and controls, and all of Goldman’s management. That is exactly what Goldman is peddling and wants everyone to believe, as the New York Times reported :

“Goldman executives and their lawyers have depicted Tim Leissner, a former top investment banker, as a master con man, someone so sneaky that even the retired military intelligence officers who work for the bank couldn’t sniff him out.”

Doesn’t Goldman brag about having the worlds’ state-of-the-art, high-tech, comprehensive systems and multiple, robust layers of compliance, risk, legal, audit and management designed to ensure that something like this could never happen, even at fractions of the size of this fraud and these fraudulent activities? Aren’t they supposed to be experts at due diligence?

Given that Leissner was only one of many Goldman partners involved with 1MDB and not even the only one criminally charged so far, the bank’s defense appears absurd. Moreover, neither Leissner nor his co-conspirators were “master con m[e]n.” As detailed in Billion Dollar Whale and other impressive reporting, this was a brazen, crude and massive fraud orchestrated by a bunch of youthful, inexperienced amateurs who were sloppy, careless and obvious in many ways. None of this required Sherlock Holmes or even a business degree to uncover; scratch almost any surface with the most basic questions and the fraud seemingly would have been visible for anyone to see and quickly unravel.

The Rogue is Goldman

For those reasons and more, Goldman’s rogue defense will likely fail.

First, 1MDB itself was a huge red flag. Just a few examples (detailed in Billion Dollar Whale and elsewhere): there was significant staff and executive turnover; those working there had little or no experience; the Chairman of the Board of Directors resigned abruptly as did another director just weeks later; its first auditors, Ernst & Young, resigned as did its second auditors KPMG and its third auditors, Deloitte, was just fined by Malaysian authorities (although Deloitte is contesting that).

Second, the primary conspirator, Jho Low, was actually caught by Goldman’s compliance system (known as the “ business intelligence group ”) not once, but at least twice. He was rejected as a client of the private bank because the origin of his wealth couldn’t be determined (a huge red flag, as stated above) and “a few years later” was rejected as a direct client on a deal involving the Abu Dhabi state energy investment company IPIC in 2013. Nevertheless, a Goldman executive’s email to others at Goldman on March 27, 2012 (just two months before the first 1MDB bond offering in May 2012) “acknowledged that Low was a ‘1MDB Operator or intermediary in Malaysia.’”

After Low “had been deepening his connections to Goldman and had gotten to know [Goldman’s] Dubai-Based head of investment banking,” he was being “informally advised by Goldman” on a proposed deal. However, “Goldman’s compliance department told its bankers to stop working with Low or his entity in the deal, again citing concerns over his wealth.” However, Goldman just “switched to advising” the IPIC unit in the deal, “even though its bankers were aware that Low was still involved.” Consistent with a familiar pattern, one week after the deal closed $350 million was reportedly transferred into a shell company owned by Low, providing him with a “600% return in a matter of days.”

Third, after Goldman’s compliance department “ repeatedly ” flagged Jho Low as so much of a risk that they refused to let him become a client of the bank’s private client group, he nonetheless had a personal private audience with then-CEO Blankfein :

“One day in December 2012, a young Malaysian V.I.P. entered the gleaming headquarters of Goldman Sachs in Lower Manhattan. The man, Jho Low, a financier with close ties to the Malaysian prime minister at the time, was there for a private meeting with one of the most power people on Wall Street: Goldman’s longtime chairman and chief executive, Lloyd C. Blankfein.”

This was reportedly a “ one-on-one sit-down ” with Goldman’s CEO, a rare and extremely difficult audience to get and presumably only after the person is subject to the most rigorous background checks and due diligence. Even if all the other red flags were somehow missed, it’s inconceivable that the information in Goldman’s own compliance system would not have been known. (This is true even if, as Goldman reportedly claims , this was a two-on-one meeting.)

Fourth, Leissner and the other criminals just weren’t that smart and there were red flags waving all over the Malaysia relationship and Goldman’s 1MDB offerings, which caught the attention of senior Goldman officers . For example, “David Ryan, President of Goldman in Asia [and Mr. Leissner’s superior in Asia], was among those urging caution. He had visited 1MDB’s staff in Malaysia and came away with concerns over its plans to take on so much debt, and the inexperience of its management, none of whom seemed to have overseen multi-billion-dollar investments before.” He also “ voiced concerns ” about the unusual and incredibly lucrative no-bid contracts, which “struck” him “and other Goldman executives as possibly too good to be true .”

He went so far as to argue that “Goldman should reassess, and potentially end, its relationship with 1MDB.” Those concerns were rejected by the very senior people and committees that reviewed and approved the 1MDB offerings (including reportedly some of Goldman’s most senior officers). Mr. Ryan, a Goldman partner, was first “effectively sidelined” when another Goldman executive (a “proponent of the 1MDB business”) was installed senior to him and then he left in 2014 “partly because he was frustrated that his concerns about the 1MDB deals were not heeded.”

Mr. Ryan was reportedly not the only Goldman executive with concerns. Alex Turnbull, a Hong Kong based Goldman banker, “also raised concerns internally.” As detailed in Billion Dollar Whale , he “wasn’t involved in the deal but he knew how bond markets worked and he sent an email to colleagues expressing disbelief about Goldman’s profits. The email led to a reprimand from Goldman’s compliance department, while Turnbull’s boss told him to keep his mouth shut if he ever wanted to get promoted.”

Fifth, another red flag was the structure of the very first 1MDB offering. Goldman had suggested that it be guaranteed by the $70 billion Abu Dhabi state energy investment fund, International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC):

“Leissner’s colleagues at Goldman’s Middle Eastern headquarters in Dubai, who did regular business with IPIC, found the idea preposterous and declined to get involved.”

This is significant because “Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and others made huge profits arranging derivatives financing for IPIC,” but refused to participate in the 1MDB bond offerings. Could that be because of the involvement of Khadem al Qubaisi, an aide to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, who reportedly “had a reputation for taking kickbacks on deals”? Mr. al Qubaisi is now in prison in Abu Dhabi , although he claims to be a “ scapegoat for Emiratis .”

Sixth, Goldman asked the investment banking firm Lazard to value the power plants that 1MDB was supposed to purchase with the proceeds from one of the offerings but it refused because it “believed the whole deal smelled of political corruption.” Apparently lacking the same sense of smell, Goldman then assumed the additional role as an advisor to 1MDB and reportedly valued the power plants at a sufficiently high price to justify the purchase price. (Presumably because the prices paid for the power plants were grossly overvalued, the purchaser was one of the buyers of the bonds that Goldman had pre-sold prior to the offering.) In a prior 1MDB deal, Goldman’s Leissner tried to get Lazard to also value certain assets, but “it couldn’t come up with a valuation anywhere near high enough to make [the] plan work.”

Seventh, 1MDB used a “struggling Swiss bank called BSI,” which Low picked because it “was a small bank, one that would be dependent on his business and took compliance even less seriously than Wall Street behemoths.” As reported in Billion Dollar Whale , “BSI had thrived for generations in a similar fashion to all Swiss banks: aiding wealthy Europeans and Americans who wanted to hide their cash in private accounts and evade the payment of taxes at home.” Low (really 1MDB) quickly became “by far the biggest client that BSI had anywhere in the world.” Notwithstanding all that, at times, even BSI’s own compliance department got suspicious of 1MDB activities and had to be mollified.

Yet, for the largest of the three bond offerings (for $3 billion in March 2013 just before Malaysia’s elections), 1MDB wanted Goldman to deposit the entire amount into its Swiss bank account at BSI. Seeing the red flags waving, even Goldman’s lawyers in Singapore “pointed out in an email that it was unusual to use such a small private bank for a $3 billion deposit.” However, “Goldman shrugged off” those concerns: “Only days later Goldman deposited the proceeds from the $3 billion bond with BSI, and $1.2 billion immediately was purloined,” with $681 million reportedly moving into the prime minister’s account. It would seem that much of this would have been discoverable with even minimal diligence.

This is the money that enabled the then-prime minister to reportedly steal the election and remain in power for five more years: “Armed with the dirty 1MDB cash, the prime minister had a powerful weapon to win the 2013 election. As the vote approached, Low managed the account, diverting hundreds of millions of dollars to the prime minister’s allies across the country,” which enabled him to win by the “slenderest of margins.” However, as reporting started to reveal the extent of the prime minister’s alleged corruption and the activities of 1MDB, Malaysians protested and the prime minister moved to crush the opposition. At the same time, the deputy public prosecutor in the attorney general’s office leading the investigation of 1MDB and the prime minister’s corruption was murdered.

Eighth, Leissner, Goldman’s former Chairman of Southeast Asia, stated when pleading guilty: “During the course of the conspiracy, I conspired with other employees and agents of Goldman Sachs very much in line with the culture of Goldman Sachs to conceal facts from certain compliance and legal employees…”

The criminal allegations include that Goldman’s “system of internal accounting controls could be easily circumvented” and that the “business culture, particularly in southeast Asia, was highly focused on consummating deals, at times prioritized this goal ahead of the proper operation of its compliance functions.” DOJ’s entire criminal Information is worth reading.

This statement and allegation bear an eerie echo to statements attributed to Goldman’s new CEO, David Solomon, quoted by former New York Federal Reserve Bank regulator Carmen Segarra in her recent book “Noncompliant: A Lone Whistleblower Exposes the Giants of Wall Street.” In her book she quotes from hours of tape recordings, including Mr. Solomon reportedly saying

“A conflict is a perception, OK, of something that could affect the advice you’re giving, the judgment, et cetera,…. Our job … is to discuss those things and to work collectively with [clients] to decide whether or not those perceptions inhibit us.”

This also seems to echo the cultural bankruptcy and disreputable practices outlined in Greg Smith’s New York Times resignation as Goldman Sachs’ executive director and head of the firm’s U.S. equity derivatives business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Interestingly, the Financial Times exclusively reported that the New York Fed secretly required Goldman to “correct” deficiencies in its internal controls in 2013: “Goldman told to improve risk reporting shortly after 1MDB deal; Notorious 1MDB deal was approved after meeting where recused bankers stayed in the room.” It remains an open question whether these controls were evadable by design so that the bank could point to the appearance of compliance as a defense in the circumstances presented by the 1MDB case, even if in reality they lacked substance.

Finally, an advisor on the 1MDB offerings who worked for the former prime minister was quoted as saying there were red flags for anyone looking:

“This fund was dodgy from the beginning. There is no excuse for not knowing this fund had to do with [the former Prime Minister’s] political patronage and his election plans. This was an open secret.”

In fact, Lazard apparently quickly discovered this when it refused Goldman’s requests for it to participate in 1MDB deals, not once, but twice. Additionally, the real-life criminal portrayed in the movie “Wolf of Wall Street” (about brazen Wall Street fraud that itself was allegedly financed with money stolen from the 1MDB bond offerings), Jordan Belfort, quickly saw in 2011 before a single bond offering that that “these guys are f—king criminals… It was so obvious.”

But, Goldman Sachs, the leading global bank that sells itself to clients, customers and governments worldwide as having unparalleled intelligence and due diligence capabilities, either didn’t know this “open secret” or chose to ignore it, along with the many other red flags.

The Road Ahead for Goldman: Criminal and Financial Liability

It should be clear that Goldman’s attempted “rogue” defense is not likely to be successful, no matter how many fancy, glossy power points it gives to DOJ or how many inflammatory unsubstantiated allegations it makes against its former partner Leissner. However, Goldman’s new CEO, David Solomon—who was co-head of the investment banking division from July 2006 to December 2016 while that division handled the $6.5 billion 1MDB offerings and pocketed the $600 million—regrettably appears to be sticking to this ill-advised script.

He might get a better reception if this was Goldman’s first brush with the law, but, as is well known, its alleged involvement with 1MDB is just the latest in Goldman’s long history of reported scandalous and illegal behavior, including but not limited to the Abacus and other subprime wrongdoings, the “ vampire squid” expose , the AIG CDS backdoor bailout , Greek debt offering , Libyan Investment Fund , the firing of Fed examiner Carmen Segarra detailed in her recent book , the Greg Smith New York Times resignation over Goldman’s cultural bankruptcy , and numerous whistleblower complaints .

While it remains unclear exactly how much money 1MDB still has and how much money 1MDB will ultimately cost the people of Malaysia (60% of whom live on “ less than $1,600 a month ”), it reportedly amassed around $13 billion in debt as of April of 2016 from the Goldman bond offerings and other borrowings. Thus, Malaysia’s criminal and civil proceedings seeking $7.5 billion from Goldman seems potentially reasonable (particularly because it appears to also overlap with the Abu Dhabi lawsuit regarding its guarantee for some of the 1MDB bonds).

The key question remains: “How could so much money—originally meant to lift up a nation and improve the lives of its people—have been laundered and embezzled under everyone’s noses?” After all, what else is Goldman’s compliance division for? According to Goldman’s website , “the global compliance division is dedicated to protecting the reputation of the firm and managing risk across all business areas.” The compliance division is supposed to “ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and determine how the firm can appropriately pursue global market opportunities.”

This report is, of course, based solely on what is in the public record, including in particular from court filings, some fantastic investigative reporting and the terrific book Billion Dollar Whale . Presumably, with FBI agents, subpoena power and a grand jury to investigate, the DOJ can more thoroughly test the “four monkeys” rogue defense.

Nevertheless, this public reporting raises a key question: if it wasn’t just a rogue employee, but at least partly the fault of the bank itself, should the bank itself be held liable for any of the crimes committed by its executives and others as well as the systemic breakdown of what it claims was a compliance system? Isn’t this particularly so given Goldman’s RAP sheet over the last 20 or so years includes at least 33 major legal actions alleging violations of dozens if not hundreds of laws and resulting in almost $10 billion in fines and settlements?

Put differently, is DOJ just going to prove again that Wall Street’s biggest, most politically connected banks still get special treatment and are still too-big-to-jail , no matter how many crimes they commit, how many laws they break, how many victims there are or how much damage they inflict?

CEO Solomon’s Golden Opportunity: The Choice of True Leadership or More of the Same

Interestingly, the 1MDB crisis also provides CEO Solomon with a unique opportunity to create his own brand and chart his own course as he leads Goldman Sachs into the 21st Century. Will he follow the path of the past in a take-no-prisoners, defend and deny at all costs approach? Or, will he usher in a new era of responsibility and accountability for a bank that claims it wants to be trusted as a retail consumer bank and that wants to build genuine long-term customer relationships in wealth and corporate cash management (referred to as “ Solomon’s plan ”).

This would be a return to the partnership business model of “long term greedy,” rather than IBG-YBG (“I be gone; you be gone”) immediate profit and bonus maximization, clients, customers and counterparties be damned. That model was epitomized by the Abacus built-to-blow-up CDO as highlighted by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearings and the $550 million fine Goldman had to pay in its settlement with the SEC.

While it may not seem like a choice to Mr. Solomon, he is making a choice right now, every day. He can make an alternate choice, but it would require courage, boldness and enlightened self-interest. He wouldn’t minimize, deflect, deny and blame others. He would clearly and genuinely take responsibility. He would admit wrongdoing and take clear, forceful action to hold deficient people accountable and make injured people whole.

There appears little room for doubt that certain Goldman officers and partners committed crimes—Leissner at a minimum; allegedly Ng; and potentially the unindicted co-conspirator—and whoever or how many others there may be should suffer the full weight of the criminal law. There’s also little room for doubt that, however many criminals there are, they lied to and misled lots of people, including at Goldman.

That may have made it somewhat more difficult to uncover their criminal conduct, but despite Goldman’s current posture , that didn’t make it impossible. Any fair-minded review of the publicly known facts suggests that it shouldn’t even have been that difficult. More importantly, it simply cannot be an excuse for every level of Goldman’s management and every one of Goldman’s systems of checks and balances to fail. At a minimum, “Goldman’s internal committees, set up to catch fraud, had failed at their jobs.”

Mr. Solomon would also send a loud, clear message that such conduct and failures won’t be tolerated, not just among those who committed criminal acts, but also to those who were responsible for the breakdown in management, compliance and risk systems and controls.

They all—to varying degrees—egregiously failed, harming not just clients, but damaging Goldman Sachs itself.

People from senior executives on down need to suffer meaningful consequences for those failures, including terminations, demotions and compensation claw backs. That should start with Mr. Solomon himself and his entire management team. Leadership starts at the top and they should all have their bonuses cut and repay whatever amounts they previously received directly or indirectly attributable to 1MDB. (Disgorgement alone is insufficient: it only puts you back to even, with no penalty or pain.)

1MDB was ostensibly set up to “improve Malaysians daily lives.” Not only didn’t that happen, but those very same Malaysians are now on the hook to repay more than $6.5 billion in bonds and apparently billions more in other 1MDB borrowings, even though more than half of that was reportedly looted and will never benefit anyone in Malaysia. Thus, the Malaysian people have been doubly victimized and will continue to be so for many years, if not decades, to come.

That is wrong. Mr. Solomon should recognize that and say so, plainly, directly and unqualified. Then, rather than just adding to reserves and preparing to claw back compensation as a result of future costs, Goldman should publicly release a full accounting of whatever Goldman received in fees and commissions from 1MDB and immediately repay that to Malaysia, whether it’s $600 million or more. Voluntary full disgorgement of all gains associated with 1MDB simply must be the first step. Goldman must realize that, in doing this, it will gain more in credibility than it will ever pay in dollars, which will be the foundation for Goldman resolving all the many other aspects of the scandal.

Yes, the partners, lawyers, PR experts and others will scream, but this is going to happen sooner or later anyway so why not do it now in recognition of the horrible wrongs inflicted on the Malaysian people and build up a reservoir of good will? Mr. Solomon should then in good faith offer to mediate with Malaysia to determine an appropriate amount to settle all claims. It presumably has, after all, joint and several liability and will almost certainly be the deepest pocket in every litigation and other proceeding. Mediation will be the quickest and least costly way out of this hydra-headed legal morass.

Goldman should even consider offering its services for free to Malaysia in managing the unwinding of 1MDB, including dealing with the outstanding bonds it issued. Part of the settlement with Malaysia could even be contingent on maximizing the returns from the unwinding.

In the meantime, Goldman should enter a tolling agreement with the DOJ (which extends the time prosecutors can file charges), and, once it settles with Malaysia (and Abu Dhabi and anyone else) and after all the appropriate internal personnel and systems actions have been taken, go to DOJ with a reasonable offer, strike the best deal and live with it.

Those choices will put this crisis behind the bank in the quickest, least expensive way and with a repaired, if not enhanced, reputation. That’s being a true leader and will set the tone and direction not just for Mr. Solomon’s time as CEO, but for the bank’s future.

That won’t be successful, however, if Goldman maintains its current position that it did nothing wrong and that there are no “ deficiencies or weaknesses in its internal compliance mechanisms .” That attempt to prioritize minimizing legal liability above all else is blinding Mr. Solomon and Goldman to a more fundamental reality: given what has happened and the damage done not just to clients, but to the bank itself, there were massive, systemic failures of Goldman’s systems and, unless taken seriously and fixed, this will happen again. The contemplated window dressing is a bad legal strategy and an even worse business strategy.

Nevertheless, this is the choice currently being pursued: years of trench warfare litigation around the globe that enriches hundreds of lawyers, destroys the bank’s reputation, tarnishes Mr. Solomon’s ascent to CEO while distracting and consuming him, his leadership team and profits for years to come.

Most will conclude that it is naive and laughable to think that someone like Mr. Solomon, who has come up through the Goldman ranks, would ever do anything other than fight to the death rather than admit even the most minimal wrongdoing, failure or deficiency. However, sometimes an existential crisis like a pending criminal indictment helps clarify not only choices, but that there is in fact a choice to be made.

What’s it going to be Mr. Solomon?

The complete publication, including footnotes, is available here .

One Comment

I’m starting to believe that money is the root of all evil. These kinds of people should learn their lesson in prison.

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Lessons from the 1MDB Scandal

What happened.

1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was a Malaysian state investment vehicle created in 2009. In 2015, documents leaked to journalists evidenced widespread corruption and the embezzlement, on an unprecedented scale, of Malaysian state funds via 1MDB. Hundreds of millions of dollars (USD) were taken out of 1MDB illegally and went to Razak, the then prime minister of Malaysia, and his immediate family, as well as their close associates. Notoriously, tens of millions of dollars of 1MDB money was used to fund the Hollywood production of the Wolf of Wall Street. According to the US Department of Justice, the estimated total money embezzled from 1MDB is c.USD4.5bn. In 2015, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission began investigating allegations of criminal behaviour relating to 1MDB and there were separate law enforcement and regulatory investigations opened in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Eventually, the scandal led to the demise of Razak's government and his arrest and imprisonment. Following the subsequent law enforcement and regulatory investigations, it became clear that a number of banks and financial institutions (FIs) across the globe had been utilised by the protagonists in the scandal and were, therefore, involved in numerous regulatory and criminal breaches that occurred via 1MDB. Many institutions were initially involved with 1MDB legitimately, either to raise funds for the vehicle, or to manage its investments. However, many of those same institutions were subsequently used to misappropriate funds from 1MDB and / or to launder that money around the globe. 

How did it happen?

There are a myriad of reasons as to how and why the scandal managed to engulf established global FIs. There have been various root causes suggested by regulators and commentators globally regarding the failures of FIs involved in the scandal. These have ranged from weak compliance cultures and insufficiently designed and maintained compliance controls, to the deliberate and complicit criminal acts of certain individuals within FIs. One of the highest profile financial institutions engulfed in the scandal was Goldman Sachs International (GSI). GSI was subject to a financial penalty by the UK regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA's investigation relating to 1MDB identified material failures by GSI to:

• Assess and sufficiently manage financial crime risks;
• Ensure that appropriate information regarding financial crime risks was escalated to the relevant committees approving the 1MDB transactions;
• Manage allegations of bribery and misconduct regarding individuals involved in or associated with the 1MDB transactions; and
• Keep sufficient records to illustrate how the relevant committees had assessed the risks arising out of the 1MDB transactions or the reasons for approving them.

Key Learnings 

1. Risk Management The FCA highlighted that due consideration was not given to the risks associated with the 1MDB transactions, which involved clients and counterparties in jurisdictions with known higher financial crime risks. The risk factors surrounding the transactions were also not assessed on a sufficiently holistic basis. All firms should have in place an anti-money laundering (AML) business wide risk assessment (BWRA) that is proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of the firm, to enable senior management to understand the inherent and residual risk exposure of their firm, particularly as a result of its client relationships. BWRAs must take into account risk factors relating to: customers, jurisdictions, distribution channels, transactions, and products and services. The results of any BWRA should then feed into a firm's calculation of a risk appetite statement, which acts as a benchmark and guide for senior management to measure business risks. Firms that lack sufficiently detailed risk appetite and risk management frameworks inhibit the ability of senior management to make informed decisions on risk. Senior Management of FIs should be able to evidence that they have considered higher risk situations (e.g. higher risk clients or particularly complex transactions) against their firm's risk appetite statement and accordingly, have made considered decisions. This is particularly the case in light of the obligations imposed under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR). 2. Customer Due Diligence Customer due diligence (CDD) failings have been identified by several regulators as a key issue for 1MDB exposed firms that led to illicit activity going undetected. Several banks in Singapore, for example, were found by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) not to have performed sufficient CDD at on-boarding or throughout the course of the business relationship. This resulted in an inaccurate picture of the level of risk posed by customers and inadequate relationship monitoring based upon the true risk that those relationships and connected activity posed. In a number of cases highlighted by regulators, firms were unable to demonstrate that they had identified the beneficial owners of corporate clients, a crucial requirement to help firms ensure they know who they are dealing with and quantify the level of risk posed. Part of the CDD undertaken for establishing a commercial relationship should enable firms to understand, and evidence, the economic rationale for a client opening an account. Firms must understand the nature of their clients' activities and the rationale for the structuring of legal entities and/or transactions. This is especially important to firms in potentially higher risk circumstances, such as where a client's legal structure or transactions appear overly complex, or where transaction structures seem to lack commercial sense because they are more expensive than other available alternatives. To mitigate potential risks, firms must implement effective policies, procedures and training regimes in relation to CDD in order to ensure that staff understand their obligations and execute internal controls effectively. These activities need to be reinforced with ongoing monitoring applied on a risk-sensitive basis, reflecting the identified and situation risks of the client relationship.  3. Transaction Monitoring Multiple regulators around the globe found that a lack of effective transaction monitoring systems and controls meant that firms were unable to spot suspicious transactions relating to 1MDB. The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and the MAS have both highlighted this issue following their investigations into firms implicated in the scandal. The MAS said its 1MDB investigations revealed a complex international trail of transactions involving numerous legal entities and individuals in multiple jurisdictions. The MAS also found that many institutions involved in 1MDB related transactions were either late in filing suspicious transaction reports, or failed to do so because their transaction monitoring systems and controls were ineffective. Results of the investigations carried out by the FINMA and the MAS showed that the transactions carried out FIs on behalf of 1MDB were often suspicious and appeared to lack economic sense. The MAS stated that its investigations revealed extensive layering of transactions aimed at disguising the true nature of certain activities and transactional flows – which went reported and undetected. Firms must have effective transaction monitoring systems and controls in place in order to detect and report suspicious transactions in accordance with their obligations under the applicable AML regimes. It is particularly important in the current remote working environment that firms' transaction monitoring systems are reviewed periodically, and re-calibrated if necessary, in order to reflect emerging financial crime risks.  4. Second Line Monitoring Effective second line monitoring helps FIs to understand the effectiveness of their AML controls and the financial crime risks they face. The FCA highlighted in its 1MDB findings that key information and red flags were not included in management information (MI) provided to the relevant decision-making committees, which resulted in those committees being unable to assess fully the risks involved in the transactions. It is, therefore, imperative that firms implement clear guidelines on MI being produced, it's purpose, that this is tailored where appropriate by the recipient committee and the level of detail required in the MI, to ensure that appropriate data is provided to decision makers, and that the MI accurately represent the relevant risks.  5. Escalation procedures and appropriate disclosures to regulators Allegations surrounding bribery in relation to some of the 1MDB transactions surfaced in 2013. However, the FCA found that these concerns were not escalated in accordance with the firm's policies and procedures. It is, therefore, essential for firms to ensure that their staff are aware of, and trained on, the relevant escalation policies and procedures, particularly where financial crime risks are concerned. Implementing periodic refresher training should assist in mitigating the risk of policies and procedures not being followed. Further, when allegations of an employee's potential misconduct relating to the 1MBD transactions came to light, these were escalated to the relevant control functions, but there was no record of how the allegations were investigated. The FCA was later notified of the same employee's non-1MBD related misconduct, but the allegations of potential misconduct surrounding 1MDB were not notified at the same time. In light of the obligations imposed on firms under the SMCR, it is now particularly important that firms: 

• Accurately record and deal with allegations of misconduct; and
• Consider information that needs to be included in any notifications to the FCA, including any past allegations that have not previously been notified.

Related Authors

Andrew Jacobs

Partner and Head of Regulatory Consulting

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1MDB: The inside story of the world’s biggest financial scandal

How a jailed former banker and a lone British journalist broke a story that shook the world

O n 22 June 2015, Xavier Justo, a 48-year-old retired Swiss banker, walked towards the front door of his brand new boutique hotel on Koh Samui, a tropical Thai island. He had spent the past three years building the luxurious white-stone complex of chalets and apartments overlooking the shimmering sea and was almost ready to open for business. All he needed was a licence.

Justo had arrived in Thailand four years earlier, having fled the drab world of finance in London. In 2011, he and his girlfriend Laura toured the country on a motorbike and, two years later, they got married on a secluded beach. The couple eventually settled down in Koh Samui, a tourist hotspot, just an hour’s flight south of Bangkok. After trying out a couple of entrepreneurial ventures, Justo eventually decided that he would go into the hotel business. He bought a plot with an imposing house and began building: adding a gym, villas and a tennis court.

That June afternoon, he was expecting a visit from the tourism authorities to sign off on the paperwork. Instead, a squad of armed Thai police burst through the unlocked door, bundling Justo to the ground . The officers tied their plastic cuffs so tightly around Justo’s wrists that he bled on the dark tiled floor. The police quickly moved into his office, ripping out the computers and emptying the filing cabinets.

After two days in a ramshackle local jail, Justo was flown to Bangkok and paraded before the media, in a press conference befitting a mafia kingpin. Still wearing shorts and flip-flops, he was flanked by four commandos holding machine guns, while a quartet of senior Royal Thai Police officers briefed the assembled reporters on the charges against him.

Justo was charged with an attempt to blackmail his former employer, a little-known London-based oil-services company named PetroSaudi. But behind this seemingly mundane charge lay a much bigger story.

Six months earlier, Justo had handed a British journalist named Clare Rewcastle Brown thousands of documents, including 227,000 emails, from the servers of his former employer, PetroSaudi, which appeared to shed light on the alleged theft of hundreds of millions of dollars from a state-owned Malaysian investment fund known as 1MDB.

The documents that Justo leaked have set off a chain reaction of investigations in at least half a dozen countries, and led to what Loretta Lynch, the US attorney general, described last week as “the largest kleptocracy case” in US history.

According to lawsuits filed last week by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ), at least $3.5bn has been stolen from 1MDB. The purpose of the fund, which was set up by Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak, in 2009, was to promote economic development in a country where the median income stands at approximately £300 per month. Instead, the DoJ alleged that stolen money from 1MDB found its way to numerous associates of Najib, who subsequently went on a lavish spending spree across the world. It also accused Najib of receiving $681m in cash from 1MDB – a claim he denied. Money from 1MDB, the US also claimed, helped to purchase luxury apartments in Manhattan , mansions in Los Angeles, paintings by Monet, a corporate jet, and even financed a major Hollywood movie.

The US justice department breaks the alleged theft down into three distinct phases: the first $1bn defrauded under the “pretence of investing in a joint venture between 1MDB and PetroSaudi”; another $1.4bn, raised by Goldman Sachs in a bond issue, misappropriated and fraudulently diverted to a Swiss offshore company; and $1.3bn, also from money Goldman Sachs raised on the market, which was diverted to a Singapore account.

“A number of corrupt 1MDB officials treated this public trust as a personal bank account,” Lynch told the press last week. “The co-conspirators laundered their stolen funds through a complex web of opaque transactions and fraudulent shell companies, with bank accounts in countries around the world, including Switzerland, Singapore and the United States.” PetroSaudi, which is not a party to the lawsuit, denied the US allegations and said that the DoJ’s asset-forfeiture claims are “no more than untested allegations”.

Najib, who has used every ounce of his power to obstruct investigations into the scandal – a charge he denies – is not mentioned by name in the US lawsuits, which refer to him as “Malaysian Official 1”. But the man at the centre of the intricate swindle depicted in the US lawsuits is an adviser to Najib: Jho Low, a Harrow-educated 29-year-old friend of the prime minister’s stepson. Low, a babyfaced young man who likes to party with Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton – and calls his Goldman Sachs banker “bro”, according to the DoJ – is accused by the US of masterminding the theft of $2bn from 1MDB, which was sent to bank accounts in Switzerland, Singapore and the Virgin Islands. Low has said that he has not broken any laws and was not being investigated.

Low’s sidekick is Riza Aziz, Najib’s stepson. Riza produced The Wolf of Wall Street – Martin Scorsese’s tale of corruption, decadence and greed – and both he and Low were thanked by name in Leonardo DiCaprio’s Golden Globes acceptance speech for best actor. In 2011, Low took a 20% stake in EMI, the world’s largest music-publishing company, for $106m – in the same year, he bought a $30m penthouse for his father at the Time Warner Center in Manhattan, overlooking Central Park. Riza’s Hollywood production company has said: “There has never been anything inappropriate about any of Red Granite Pictures or Riza Aziz’s business activities.”

All this and more is laid out in the US filing, which details claims of an amazing heist, carried out by conspirators who rinsed billions from the people of Malaysia through offshore accounts and shell companies in tax havens such as the Seychelles and British Virgin Islands. The scale of the enterprise echoes Balzac’s maxim that behind every great fortune lies a great crime.

The global effort to uncover Malaysia’s missing billions began with Xavier Justo. He leaked 90GB of data, including 227,000 emails, from his former employer PetroSaudi, an oil services company that had signed the first major deal with 1MDB. (PetroSaudi denies any wrongdoing.) Without these files, there would have been no reckoning.

J usto’s connection to PetroSaudi was his long friendship with one of the company’s two founders, a Saudi national named Tarek Obaid. The two men had met back in the late 1990s, when they both partied regularly in the nightclubs of Geneva. By 2006, the two men were inseparable: Justo had become an established businessman, running a large financial services firm, Fininfor, and the owner of a Geneva nightspot named the Platinum Club. Justo regarded Obaid as a “younger brother”, and in 2008, lent him $30,000 and a desk in the Fininfor offices to help start up PetroSaudi.

Obaid and Justo were an unlikely pair, brought together by a love of the high life. Justo, the son of Spanish immigrants to Switzerland, did not go to university. Obaid is a graduate of Georgetown University’s prestigious School of Foreign Service. His brother, Nawaf, served as a special adviser to the Saudi ambassador to the UK. Obaid’s PetroSaudi co-founder, Prince Turki bin Abdullah, is the seventh son of the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who ruled Saudi Arabia from 2005 until his death in 2015.

When Justo left Geneva in 2009, PetroSaudi was little more than a name on a calling card, formally incorporated in London with an address at an anonymous business unit near Victoria. Two years later, it had taken in $1.83bn.

PetroSaudi’s business was access capitalism: opening doors with the help of friends in high places. The basic idea was to capture a piece of the huge oil revenues being generated by state-owned firms in developing countries – treasure chests waiting to be unlocked by a firm that was a “vehicle of the Saudi royal family”, which could count on the “full support from the kingdom’s diplomatic corps”. PetroSaudi told potential partners that it controlled oil fields in central Asia, which it would put up as collateral to secure cash from state investors.

This was the pitch that landed PetroSaudi’s founders a meeting with the Malaysian prime minister in August 2009. Aboard a 92-metre long megayacht off the coast of Monaco, Obaid and Prince Turki spent the day with Najib, his adviser Jho Low, and other members of the prime minister’s family. Snapshots taken at the meeting have the look of a holiday cruise – baseball caps and shorts – but their discussion was serious business. What resulted was a decision for Low and Obaid to work together on a deal that would allow them both to control mind-boggling sums of money.

Although Low held no formal position in the Malaysian government, he had become a trusted confidant to the prime minister. Despite his youth, Low had been instrumental in working with Goldman Sachs to set up a sovereign wealth fund to invest the revenues of the oil-rich Malaysian state.

Around the time that Low and Najib went boating with the PetroSaudi founders, the Malaysian central government took control of the wealth fund – which was soon renamed as 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and given a mandate to promote economic development in Malaysia. The fund had more than $1bn to spend, and Najib had the sole power to approve investments and to hire and fire board members and managers. Low appeared to facilitate transactions – according to the DoJ, he even attended board meetings of 1MDB and acted as a link with the PM.

The new fund’s first major deal was signed a few weeks after the meeting with PetroSaudi – a $2.5bn joint venture agreement between PetroSaudi and 1MDB, inked during a visit by Najib to Saudi Arabia in September 2009. The press release said that the joint venture would “make strategic investments in high-impact projects” and “underscored the confidence Saudi Arabia has in Malaysia”.

But, according to the US justice department, the deal was merely a “pretence” for “the fraudulent transfer of more than $1bn from 1MDB to a Swiss bank account” controlled by Low – “a 29-year-old with no official position with 1MDB or PetroSaudi”. PetroSaudi has always maintained that all 1MDB funds were paid to entities owned by its shareholders.

The multibillion-dollar joint venture deal was completed with extraordinary speed – in less than a month. Shortly after the yacht meeting, on 28 August 2009, Obaid had introduced Low to Patrick Mahony – the company director who handled PetroSaudi’s business affairs. According to documents seen by the Guardian, Low and Mahony met for lunch in New York on 9 September to discuss the joint venture.

After dining at Masa – a sushi restaurant where the set menu costs $540 a head – Mahony emailed Low the next day with an offer: “We know there are deals you are looking at where you may want to use PSI [PetroSaudi] … we would be happy to do that. You need to let us know where.” PetroSaudi said the documents seen by the Guardian are unreliable, stolen, fake and that they have been selectively quoted.

Less than three weeks later, the deal was done. PetroSaudi would contribute $1.5bn in oil and gas assets to the joint venture, while 1MDB would inject $1bn in cash.

According to the US court filing, 1MDB transferred $300m into an account belonging to the PetroSaudi joint venture, but the remaining $700m was sent to a Swiss account at RBS Coutts, controlled by a Seychelles-registered shell company named Good Star. The US justice department complaint alleges that Jho Low, and not PetroSaudi, was the beneficial owner and sole authorised signatory of Good Star. US authorities claim that officials at 1MDB provided false information to banks about the ownership of the Good Star account in order to divert the $700m.

In documents seen by the Guardian, on 30 September 2009 PetroSaudi appears to direct that the $700m be paid into an account controlled by the company – but three days later, when the compliance department at RBS Coutts requested further details about the name of the beneficiary account, the address given by 1MDB was the Good Star account. On the same day, 2 October, Low emailed Mahony to say “Shld be cleared soon”. PetroSaudi told the Guardian: “No money put into the joint venture by 1MDB was misappropriated or is missing. Its investment was repaid with profit … All transfers from 1MDB were paid with the full approval of the 1MDB board.”

According to documents seen by the Guardian, the Good Star transaction made Obaid, then 32, and Mahony, then 33, very rich men. Records indicate that on 30 September 2009, Good Star agreed to pay $85m to Obaid, which the Seychelles company described as a fee for “brokering services”. The money was deposited into Obaid’s Swiss JP Morgan account. At the same time, emails and legal documents indicate that Mahony was given a contract as “investment manager” for Good Star. On 20 October, Obaid emailed his contact at JP Morgan to request that $33m be transferred into an account belonging to Mahony.

Four days later, Mahony began discussions to set up an offshore company to buy a £6.7m townhouse in Notting Hill – and by 12 November, contracts for the house had been exchanged. The former banker created a numbered bank account in Switzerland, and all payments for the purchase were made from this account, via a British Virgin Islands company that Mahony had set up.

In response to questions from the Guardian, PetroSaudi said the payment to Obaid was not a brokerage fee and that the transfer of $33m to Mahony had nothing to do with the PetroSaudi-1MDB joint venture.

L aura and Xavier Justo were blissfully unaware of their friend Obaid’s changing fortunes. The couple were sunning themselves on Thailand’s Andaman coast in December 2009 when Obaid rang Justo offering him a director’s position in London with PetroSaudi. He told Justo the company had become an overnight success, but it needed someone who could help it grow.

Justo rejected Obaid’s initial offer, but he was eventually persuaded by the temptation of a well-paid “adventure”. According to Justo, Obaid promised him a salary of £400,000, “millions in bonuses” and the perk of a £10,000-a-week flat in Mayfair, central London. Justo pitched up in London in spring 2010, and by June was a PetroSaudi director. But he was kept out of the lucrative Asian business. Instead, Justo, a native Spanish speaker, was tasked with launching a new operation in Venezuela, and spent much of 2011 flying between London and Caracas.

Between September 2010 and May 2011, 1MDB agreed to lend an additional $830m to the joint venture with PetroSaudi – bringing 1MDB’s total investment to $1.83bn. Of these new payments, US officials allege, $330m was paid into the Swiss account they say was controlled by Low, on the basis of a request by Obaid – who is identified in the US legal complaint as “PetroSaudi CEO”.

Emails and bank records seen by the Guardian suggest that in the nine months from September 2010, Obaid transferred $77m from his Swiss JP Morgan account to his PetroSaudi co-founder, Prince Turki bin Abdullah. According to the US authorities, banking records show that in the spring of 2011, Prince Turki also received $24m from the Good Star account controlled by Low – and that “within days”, $20m from these funds was transferred to an account belonging to the Malaysian prime minister, Najib.

Meanwhile, Low was becoming known on the New York club scene as a fixer for the global super-rich – snapped by paparazzi swigging magnums of Cristal with R&B singers and Hollywood stars. According to US authorities, Low spent $100m from the joint venture transactions on properties in Hollywood and $40m on New York apartments. The funding for The Wolf of Wall Street, the US complaint alleges, can be directly traced to the billion dollars diverted from the PetroSaudi joint venture.

In the meantime, Justo was growing disaffected with working conditions at PetroSaudi. According to his wife, Laura, the first sign of discontent was his discovery that his salary payments were only about half of what Justo said Obaid had offered him – a slight that was compounded when he learned that the promised multimillion-pound bonus would be considerably less than that – more like six figures than seven.

There were other niggles, too. He complained to Laura that he was often paid late, and sometimes not at all. He claimed that he ended up paying rent on the flat in Mayfair that was supposed to be covered by his employers.

At first, Justo told Laura, he thought these were just mishaps – nothing malicious, just poor corporate bookkeeping. But he became increasingly dismayed by Obaid’s behaviour. Justo told friends that Obaid had become “arrogant” after striking it rich. Justo was especially disturbed by what he described as changes in his younger Saudi friend – telling other people that Obaid had become irrational, and displayed “uncontrollable” rage.

Justo and Obaid’s long friendship, stretched to breaking point over 12 months of highly charged corporate life, finally snapped. At the end of 2010, Justo missed a flight for an important meeting. He apologised to Obaid, but according to Justo, his friend “went mad”, sending him a stream of abuse, via text messages and emails.

Sick with worry, Justo decided to resign in March 2011. In the angry email exchanges that followed, Obaid called Justo “arrogant” and a “smart ass”. In April, things came to a head in Mayfair. Amid the marble, dark leather and metal art deco detailing of the exclusive Connaught hotel bar, Mahony and Justo hammered out the terms of his departure. According to Justo, Mahony had agreed to pay him about 6.5m Swiss francs (£5m) in severance. However, in the midst of a heated conversation, Mahony’s phone rang. It was Obaid, who apparently told Mahony to settle on 5m Swiss francs (£3.85m). Justo, who had poured his heart out to Mahony, telling him he was at his “lowest point emotionally”, shed tears. A day later, Justo claims that he was told his severance package would, in fact, be 4m Swiss francs (£3m).

As the rancour set in, Justo took a copy of the data on the PetroSaudi servers. In September 2013, a little more than two years after he had left PetroSaudi, Justo sent a fateful email to Mahony. Justo was insistent that he be paid what was owed to him, warning that he had a file of information on PetroSaudi. “The official side paints a nice picture but the reality is commissions, commissions, commissions,” he wrote.

In the furious exchanges that followed, Mahony accused Justo of blackmail. Mahony presciently told his former colleague: “What troubles me so much is the way in which I see this situation ending – with the destruction of you.”

A few months later, over a Chinese meal in London, the journalist who would break open the 1MDB scandal first heard rumours about an extraordinary heist in Malaysia. Clare Rewcastle Brown met a contact at a restaurant in Bayswater who showed her screen grabs of internal documents from PetroSaudi: on a single printed page, there were highlights of PetroSaudi’s dealings with 1MDB, under the heading “Thousands of documents related to the deal (emails, faxes and transcripts)”. She recognised the names and the deal. Her heart skipped a beat. “A bomb went off in my head,” Brown recalled. She knew right away that this was a huge story.

Rewcastle Brown is a classic British rebel at the heart of the establishment. She was born on the island of Borneo – part of which now belongs to Malaysia – when it was still part of the British empire, where her father was a colonial policeman and head of the local intelligence service. Her brother-in-law is the former British prime minister Gordon Brown. After working as a reporter for the BBC, in 2010 Rewcastle Brown set up Sarawak Report , a website dedicated to uncovering corruption in the place of her birth.

Working out of her tiny kitchen in central London, she published story after story exposing corruption in the timber and oil industries that were despoiling the country’s rainforests for profit. Her email was hacked and she received death threats , but she carried on, regardless. Early in 2013, Malaysian politicians labelled her an “enemy of the state”. Rather than be cowed, she considered this a badge of honour. In person, Rewcastle Brown is a curious mix of the bawdy and the brave, almost to the point of recklessness. Her mantra: “I just want the story.”

After the meeting in Bayswater, Rewcastle Brown knew she needed to get the 1MDB documents. The first hurdle was that the source of the PetroSaudi papers apparently wanted millions for the information. It was money she did not have.

Another stumbling block was that no journalist in Malaysia wanted to touch the story. In Malaysia, Najib had just won a tightly contested election, and was flush with power. Rumours were swirling around the cache of PetroSaudi documents – some said the Russian mafia was behind the data dump, while others speculated that it might be an elaborate trap, set by the prime minister to ensnare his critics.

Undeterred, Rewcastle Brown arranged with her contact to meet the source in Thailand. In October 2014, she pitched up at the lobby of the Plaza Athénée hotel, in Bangkok. She had told her husband she was hoping to meet a “balding bespectacled short Swiss guy”. Instead, into the foyer stepped Xavier Justo – muscular and 6ft 6in tall. Rewcastle Brown was faced with a “physically imposing, extremely elegant” man. “Oh my God,” she thought. “This guy is going to duff me up.”

But Justo admitted that he was just as scared as she was. According to Rewcastle Brown, he seemed “very, very nervous” and repeatedly warned her that “the people we were dealing with were ruthless, had huge amounts of money and were very, very powerful – and they could do what they liked to us”.

Justo told Rewcastle Brown that he wanted $2m in exchange for the PetroSaudi-1MDB documents. It was, he said, the money he should have been paid when he left PetroSaudi.

Although he shared a few documents at the meeting, Justo was adamant: no cash, no data. Rewcastle Brown needed to find a rich person prepared to pay for the papers.

At around this time, concerns about 1MDB had begun to spread in Malaysia. Financial analysts pointed out that the fund was not generating enough cash to cover interest payments on the billions of dollars of debt it had acquired. The hundreds of millions that had been spent on art work, jewellery, real estate, gambling and parties did not realise any return on the “investment”. By 2014, Najib’s political opponents had taken to taunting him with the accusation that the wealth fund should be renamed “1Malaysia’s Debt of Billions”.

In August 2014, Najib received another political blow. Mahathir Mohamad, the towering figure of modern Malaysian politics who served as prime minister from 1981 to 2003, announced that he was withdrawing support for Najib, his former protege. In the weeks that followed, Mahathir became more vocal in his criticism, warning that 1MDB was adding to Malaysia’s dangerously high debt levels.

This warning went unheeded. The fund’s debt swelled. By November 2014, 1MDB owed almost $11bn. Najib, who chaired the fund’s advisory board, appeared unconcerned, telling the state news agency that the government was not liable for the debt if the fund went bankrupt.

As the crisis deepened, Rewcastle Brown continued her quest for a person willing to pay Justo for the PetroSaudi-1MDB documents. She noticed that some of the most searching reporting on the scandal had appeared in Malaysia’s best-selling business weekly, the Edge . Sensing that she may have found a wealthy ally, Rewcastle Brown contacted the Edge’s owner, Tong Kooi Ong, a former banker turned media tycoon, who owned a number of business publications.

In January 2015, Tong, Rewcastle Brown and Justo met in a five-star Singapore hotel, the Fullerton. Tong booked a conference room, and brought a number of IT experts, as well as the editor of the Edge, Kay Tat. At the meeting, Justo laid out the 1MDB joint venture, making the same claims that the US Department of Justice would set out 18 months later: namely that hundreds of millions of dollars that were intended for economic development in Malaysia had instead been diverted into a Seychelles-based company. The man at the centre of the transaction was alleged to be Najib’s adviser and family friend, Jho Low.

It was a potentially huge scoop. Tong agreed to pay Justo $2m. Tong and Rewcastle Brown were immediately handed disk drives with the data. But the payment was never made. Justo did not want the money in cash, and he worried that a large transfer of funds into his account would look suspicious. Tong offered Justo one of his Monets as collateral – but Justo declined, and said “no, I trust you”. Rewcastle Brown finally had the documents she had been chasing for more than six months.

O n 28 February 2015, Rewcastle Brown posted the first big story online – under a typically unrestrained headline: “HEIST OF THE CENTURY!” The article claimed to show how $700m had disappeared from the 1MDB joint venture and found its way into various offshore companies and Swiss bank accounts.

The impact of the article was felt around the world. In the US, law enforcement officials who had been alerted to reports that Low was spending huge amounts on New York apartments now had a fix on the possible source of his wealth.

While researching the story, Rewcastle Brown had teamed up with the Sunday Times, which helped her decrypt the files Justo had given to her. The paper ran an interview with Mahathir, the former Malaysian prime minister, who called for an immediate investigation and a full audit. “Somebody must be doing something stupid to part with $700m for no very good reason as far as I can see,” he said.

In Malaysia, the response was immediate. On 1 March 2015, 1MDB’s management claimed that it had exited the joint venture in 2012, and that it had received back its investment in full, with an additional profit of $488m. PetroSaudi claimed that the $700m had all gone to “PetroSaudi-owned entities” – denying, in other words, that companies controlled by Jho Low had received payments in the deal.

Not long before Rewcastle Brown’s story broke, 1MDB’s bonds had been effectively downgraded to junk. After another £200m of Malaysian government funds were required to plug a hole in 1MDB’s finances, Najib bowed to the inevitable and ordered investigations by the country’s auditor general and the parliamentary accounts committee. Soon, the country’s central bank and anti-corruption agency were also looking at 1MDB. Malaysia’s top policeman was reported as saying that the prime minister would also be investigated.

Najib tightened his grip on power. As prime minister and finance minister, he wielded enormous authority: in April, the government pushed through harsh penalties and restrictions on free speech, particularly on social media. Five executives of Tong’s The Edge Media Group – which had also published details of the PetroSaudi deal – were arrested for sedition. The government also introduced a new law, ostensibly aimed at terrorists, which allowed suspects to be detained indefinitely. In July 2015, the Edge weekly was banned from publishing.

Although the scandal only seemed to be getting bigger, it had not ensnared Najib personally. Then, on 2 July, Rewcastle Brown and the Wall Street Journal reported that Malaysian government investigators had discovered that $681m from banks, agencies and companies with ties to 1MDB had been deposited in Najib’s private accounts in 2013 . A few days later, investigators raided the offices of 1MDB.

Najib was now at the centre of a corruption probe relating to allegations that billions of dollars had disappeared from a Malaysian investment fund he controlled. Deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, once a supporter of Najib, publicly called on him to answer questions about the fund. It seemed that Najib was cornered .

On the morning of Monday 28 July, the attorney general, Abdul Gani Patail – a party loyalist who had previously gone after the prime minister’s opponents – arrived at his office expecting to finalise corruption charges against Najib. The indictment, which Rewcastle Brown later obtained and published, would have charged the prime minister with corruption resulting from the investigations into 1MDB.

The attorney general never got to press those charges. On reaching his office, he was summarily dismissed by a civil servant. In a public statement, Najib said the country’s top legal officer was too ill to continue in the role. Also relieved of their posts were the head of special branch and the deputy prime minister. Meanwhile, four members of the investigating parliamentary accounts committee were promoted, without any choice, to cabinet positions, which left them with no power to continue investigating, and the committee’s work was declared suspended. The next day, a mysterious fire swept through police headquarters, where records of white-collar crimes were kept.

It seemed that Najib was in control again.

T he crackdown revealed a ruthless side to Najib. However, there was a loose end that could unravel everything: Xavier Justo. Not only had Justo leaked information about 1MDB’s dealings with PetroSaudi, he was also a potential star witness in any future court proceedings about the financial scandal.

After Justo was arrested for blackmail and flown to Bangkok in June 2015, he was placed in a cell with 70 other prisoners. The floor was covered with sweat and urine, and the room was so tightly packed that prisoners could not sleep on their backs. According to Justo’s wife Laura, her husband’s first foreign visitor was his former friend, colleague and PetroSaudi director, Patrick Mahony. Smooth and charming, Mahony flashed a smile and said he was there to help.

Laura says that Mahony offered Justo a deal: confess and plead guilty, and PetroSaudi will get you out of here by the end of the year. Justo reluctantly agreed. He signed a confession – without a lawyer present – which claimed that he had attempted to blackmail his former employers, and apologised to Mahony and Obaid “for the harm stress and anxiety I caused them”. According to Laura, a man who claimed to be a Scotland Yard detective – and later told her he had been hired by PetroSaudi – took down Justo’s confession. (PetroSaudi told the Guardian that Justo had “illegally obtained commercially sensitive, confidential and private documentation” and was in prison for “blackmail and extortion”.)

Justo was sentenced on 17 August 2015 at Southern Bangkok criminal court. At the trial he was granted a translator, but his lawyer did not turn up, sending an assistant instead. The trial and sentencing took 15 minutes. Justo got three years in a Thai jail for attempting to blackmail a UK company out of $2m.

Life behind bars in Klong Prem Central prison, where Justo is incarcerated, is not for the fainthearted. In a city where temperatures rarely drop below 26C, Justo shares a cramped “VIP” cell with 25 other prisoners. Breakfast is at 7am. Water is rationed. Prisoners have no food after 3pm. There is a small bathroom area at the rear of the cell , which consists of a tap and a hole in the floor for a lavatory.

As 2015 wore on and it became clear that her husband was not going to be out of jail by the end of the year, Laura grew increasingly suspicious of her contacts at PetroSaudi. A series of stories in the Swiss and Malaysian press purporting to tell Justo’s side of the story depicted him as an unwitting pawn in a political plot against the Malaysian prime minister. Things were not getting better for Justo – they were getting worse. In his prison cell, Justo was now sleeping on a thin blanket – his mattress was withdrawn a few months after he arrived, as was his exercise hour.

Laura came to believe that Justo was a victim of a deceit by his former friends, who tricked him into confessing and handing over copies of PetroSaudi’s servers, in an attempt to protect themselves and their Malaysian associates by burying the case. In May 2016, in a last-gasp effort to save her husband, Laura turned to the one person who she knew Justo trusted: Rewcastle Brown, who brought her to the Guardian.

When I met Laura in June 2016, she was at first calm and composed, but broke into tears when speaking about her husband, her voice cracking with emotion. Justo has not seen their son since he was eight months old. “I only want justice to be done,” Laura recently wrote in an email. “Xavier was no thief, he was only asking for what he had been promised. Even through this darkest and most difficult time of his life, which is right now, he writes to me that he is keeping strong for our son and I – that he will fight for us whatever it takes.”

Since reaching out to Rewcastle Brown and the Guardian, Laura has handed over notes smuggled out of prison in which Justo says he has been framed. Laura believes that Patrick Mahony of PetroSaudi has controlled Justo’s life behind bars, deciding how comfortable his living space would be and who could visit him. (Foreign prisoners have a list posted outside the prison of permitted visitors. Mahony is listed as number two. Laura is number five.)

Laura says she has emails and WhatsApp messages, as well as recordings of phone calls from last year that suggest that Mahony is under increasing pressure from Najib, on one hand, and from US and Swiss investigators combing through 1MDB’s deals, on the other.

In taped telephone conversations with Laura, Mahony appears obsessed with Rewcastle Brown, whom he refers to as a “bitch”. In a recorded conversation with Laura from November 2015, Mahony refers obliquely to a powerful person whom he claims could help reduce Justo’s sentence: “I told you the other evening, who the ultimate person is controlling this, and I am due to have another meeting with him soon … This guy is still stressed because it’s his political career on the line. He’s in deep shit and that’s all he cares about, nothing else.”

When Laura asks what she should tell her husband, Mahony says: “The only way that you can show that you’re on his side – to be a team player – is if you’re ready to put yourself out in the media. You are ready to denounce all the people who are conspiring against him … I am not going to lie to you … You can help the situation or you cannot help the situation.”

When Laura presses for Justo’s release, Mahony snaps. “I’m still dealing with this shit every day. You need to remember we are all in the shit. I know he’s in prison and you are alone with the baby. And I looked at you the other day and I told you I feel for you. But me, I’m also in the shit. And a lot of other people are in the shit. A prime minister of a country is in deep shit because he has been put in this shit.”

By December, Mahony admits in another phone call that he had been to the US, where “the FBI is looking at all this shit” and that he had been pulled in by the Swiss attorney general’s office. “The Swiss are continuing to really give us shit … They know they have nothing … But they say they are fearful of being accused of not doing anything.” PetroSaudi said that it will cooperate with any official authority in any jurisdiction and added that it is not the subject of any investigation in any jurisdiction. Mahony has not been interviewed by US or Swiss officials.

T he consequences of Justo’s leaks are still reverberating around the world. When the US Department of Justice laid out the case against 1MDB last week, it pulled no punches. “The Malaysian people were defrauded on an enormous scale,” said Andrew McCabe, the FBI’s deputy director. US officials told the Guardian that any party who wanted to contest the attorney general’s claim must file a response in a federal court within 60 days to answer the factual allegations.

In a separate case, the DoJ is also investigating whether Goldman Sachs violated US banking law in its handling of $6.5bn in bond offerings that it carried out for 1MDB. The Wall Street behemoth earned $593m in fees for the issue. Goldman Sachs denied any wrongdoing. The bank told the Guardian: “We helped raise money for a sovereign wealth fund that was designed to invest in Malaysia. We had no visibility into whether some of those funds may have been subsequently diverted to other purposes.”

Most important was that the DoJ allegations directly contradicted repeated assertions by Prime Minister Najib about the origins and purpose of hundreds of millions of dollars that ended up in his personal bank accounts – which he had claimed was a gift from a Saudi benefactor .

The DoJ filing was released at a critical moment for democracy in Malaysia. On 1 August, a draconian national security act introduced by Najib comes into force – allowing the Malaysian government to establish martial law in any designated geographic area. The law will dramatically expand the powers of Malaysia’s security forces – allowing for arrests, searches and seizures without warrants and the bulldozing of buildings.

But in the rest of the world, investigations into the sprawling corruption scandal are continuing to expand. In Switzerland, the US justice department identified RBS Coutts and Rothschild Bank as conduits for transactions in the corruption complaint. The Swiss attorney general is probing the billion-dollar fraud. The banks declined to comment when contacted by the Guardian.

Singapore found “lapses and weaknesses” in anti-money-laundering controls at major banks. For the first time in the island state’s history, the authorities shut down a merchant bank. In April the United Arab Emirates froze hundreds of millions of dollars in accounts held by alleged conspirators in the 1MDB fraud and banned the account holders from travelling abroad.

The board of 1MDB said that it was “confident that no wrongdoing had been committed” but as a “precautionary measure”, its accounts for 2013 and 2014 should no longer be “relied on by any party”. Najib has said that he did not commit “any offence or malpractice”. His attorney general cleared him of corruption earlier this year.

For now, the man whose revelations enabled the exposure of this vast fraud remains in a Bangkok prison. Xavier Justo was motivated by a mixture of morality and revenge – the desire to settle scores with a friend who betrayed him. To get even, he chose to blow the whistle, for a price. He may not go down in history as a hero who selflessly risked ruin to expose the truth. But in doing so, he did unwittingly sacrifice himself.

Follow the Long Read on Twitter at @gdnlongread , or sign up to the long read weekly email here .

On 7 October 2016 Mr Obaid and Mr Mahony stated through their lawyers that they strongly deny claims that they deceived Mr Justo into confessing to the Thai authorities in order to bury the case, and that Mr Justo confessed because he knew there was no way out of the charges he was facing. They also deny having any control over Thai judicial or penal authorities, Mr Justo’s prison conditions or the length of his sentence. They also state that as regards his employment at PetroSaudi, Mr Justo was always paid on time and in accordance with his contract, left by mutual agreement and was paid 4 million Swiss francs under a binding severance agreement.

23 December 2016: PetroSaudi, Mr Obaid and Mr Mahony also deny that a confession by Mr Justo was taken down by a former Scotland Yard detective hired by them.

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Timeline: how malaysia’s 1mdb financial scandal unfolded.

1MDB was set up as a state fund to drive new investment in Malaysia, but investigators say the money went elsewhere.

Malaysia is awaiting the verdict in the first of a series of cases charging former prime minister Najib Razak with corruption over his alleged involvement in the scandal at 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund that Najib founded to drive new development in the country.

The fund’s business is under investigation in at least six countries over allegations that billions of dollars were siphoned off to buy luxury property, designer jewellery and art, and to fund the Hollywood movie Wolf of Wall Street.

Keep reading

Peru’s pm quits amid claims of influence peddling, germany confirms probe into former lebanon central bank chief salameh, former austrian chancellor sebastian kurz found guilty of perjury, malaysia says it recovered $5m of stolen 1mdb assets over last 13 months.

Najib, the son of the country’s second prime minister, is the first Malaysian leader ever to go on trial for corruption in the country.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Jho Low, the elusive Malaysian financier at the centre of the 1MDB allegations, as well as for others believed to have been involved.

Here is a timeline of some major developments in the scandal.

Then prime minister and finance minister Najib launches 1MDB, a “strategic development company driving new ideas and new sources of growth”. The fund is wholly owned by the government of Malaysia and Najib is chairman of its board of advisers.

September 2009

1MDB signs a deal with PetroSaudi International to set up a joint venture company and invests $1bn cash for a 40 percent stake. PetroSaudi,  backed by oil and gas assets said to be worth $1.5bn, takes 60 percent in the business.

Najib launches the Tun Razak Exchange, built by 1MDB as a new financial district for Kuala Lumpur. Najib tells invited guests the first phase of the development will bring in RM3.5b ($856.8m) in direct foreign investments.

May and October 2012

US investment bank Goldman Sachs helps 1MDB sell bonds worth $3.5bn to raise money to buy power assets.

Goldman Sachs helps 1MDB raise a further $3bn in an additional bond sale, this time to cover “new strategic economic initiatives” between Malaysia and Abu Dhabi.

December 2013

The “Wolf of Wall Street”, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role, is released in the United States. The $100m film was produced by Red Granite Pictures, a newcomer co-founded by Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz. The end credits included a thank you to Jho Low, a young Malaysian financier.  

January 2015

1MDB misses a loan payment of about $550m.

Under pressure, Malaysia’s government sets up a ‘special taskforce’ to investigate 1MDB.

The Wall Street Journal and Sarawak Report say nearly $700m suspected to have originated with 1MDB was deposited into Najib’s personal bank account.

Najib sacks the attorney general who was leading the Malaysian investigation and reshuffles his cabinet, removing key critics, including deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin. The ruling party politician leading the parliamentary inquiry into 1MDB is made a deputy minister.

The changes effectively shut down the domestic investigation.

January 2016

The new attorney general clears Najib of any wrongdoing, saying the $681m was a donation from a prince in Saudi Arabia and $620m was returned.

The United States Department of Justice files a civil suit to seize assets it alleges were bought with funds stolen from 1MDB. The suit says $681m found its way into the personal account of ‘Malaysian Official 1’, later identified as Najib by both the US and a Malaysian minister.

The justice department announces it believes more than $4.5bn was siphoned from 1MDB by senior officials and their associates.

August 2017

The justice department says a criminal investigation into the fund is underway. The attorney general later describes the scandal as “kleptocracy at its worst”.

Najib is defeated in Malaysia’s general election amid deepening anger over 1MDB and the rising cost of living, and his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) finds itself out of power for the first time since independence. Two days later, Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, are barred from leaving the country.

Malaysian police raid Kuala Lumpur properties connected to Najib, seizing jewellery, designer handbags, luxury watches and cash valued at around $275m.

The first charges are laid against Najib in relation to 1MDB.

October 2018

Rosmah also finds herself in court where she is charged with money laundering and tax evasion.

December 2018

Malaysia files criminal charges against Goldman Sachs in relation to the 1MDB bond sale.

Najib appears in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on April 3 to face seven charges in relating to SRC International, a unit of 1MDB, in the first of a series of trials relating to the failed fund.

Malaysia announces it has completed the sale of Equanimity, the $250 million superyacht allegedly bought with money diverted from 1MDB. 

August 2019

Najib goes on trial in Kuala Lumpur in the biggest of his five 1MDB-linked trials. The lead prosecutor told the court that Najib had carried out an “elaborate charade” that was acted out in four phases. “His objective was to enrich himself,” Gopal Sri Ram said.

December 2019

After being told to enter his defence in the SRC trial, Najib takes to the witness box in his own defence, reading from a prepared statement.

A power grab within the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition triggers the resignation of Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister. After a week of uncertainty, the king names Muhyiddin Yassin to the top job saying he has a majority in parliament. The manoeuvring returns UMNO, where Najib remains influential, to government.

Malaysian prosecutors agree a $107.3 million settlement with Riza Aziz, and drop money laundering charges against the former prime minister’s stepson.

Malaysia reaches a $3.9bn settlement with US investment bank Goldman Sachs, agreeing to drop its criminal investigation into the bank’s role in the 1MDB scandal.

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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The most sensational trial in Malaysia’s history was set to begin on Tuesday 12 February in Kuala Lumpur’s High Court, however it was postponed the day before following a last-minute move by Najib Razak’s defence team. The former prime minister, faces more than 40 criminal charges linked to government entities and scandal-tarred 1MDB, the state investment fund from which the US Department of Justice (DoJ) alleges $4.5bn has gone missing.

The trial will mark a new low for Mr Najib, who suffered a sharp reversal to his fortunes when he lost the general election to his former ally Mahathir Mohamad in May last year.

The former leader of Malaysia’s Umno party served as prime minister for nine years. Now, if found guilty, Mr Najib could face life in prison. Here’s how it all unfolded.

1MDB’s fall from grace

Keen to catapult Malaysia’s economy out of the middle-income trap and into the high-income bracket, one of Mr Najib’s first moves as prime minister was to launch 1MDB, a state investment fund tasked with furthering Malaysia’s development by investing in green energy and tourism.

Thanks to ties with Middle Eastern investors and top banks such as Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, the state fund raised billions of dollars for projects and joint ventures. But the debts piled up and became unmanageable, forcing Malaysia’s government to start secretly repaying 1MDB’s debt obligations.

This year marked the beginning of tighter scrutiny on 1MDB’s dealings. Reports emerged that Mr Najib received transfers of $681m into his personal bank account, which he has since claimed came from a Saudi government eager to bolster a moderate Muslim country at a time of Islamic extremism. According to the DoJ, this was one of many “ layering ” transactions in which cash was bounced around bank accounts to blur its origin: 1MDB.

As a result of the $681m transfer, authorities including Swiss and Singaporean investigators as well as the DoJ kicked off an international probe into 1MDB to map the flow of cash allegedly siphoned out of the state fund. In 2017, the DoJ released a bombshell document outlining how embezzled 1MDB money was moved around the globe before being used to buy luxury real estate in the US, precious artwork and custom-made jewellery.

May 2018: month of madness

Nonagenarian Mahathir Mohamad ousted his former protégé Najib Razak in an extraordinary electoral win on a platform condemning corruption in the wake of the 1MDB scandal. Malaysia’s political system was shaken to the core. Barisan Nasional — the coalition headed by Mr Najib — was defeated after holding sway over the country’s politics for decades. And Anwar Ibrahim , Malaysia’s longtime opposition leader who was imprisoned on charges he claimed were politically motivated by both Mr Najib and by Mr Mahathir — during Mr Mahathir’s previous time as prime minister — walked free from jail days after the electoral win as a critical member of the winning coalition.

It took Mr Mahathir just 48 hours to ban Mr Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, from leaving the country, in what was a taster of the fierce 1MDB investigation to come. Reports circulated of a passenger manifest showing that Mr Najib and his wife were scheduled to leave Malaysia on a private jet. They never made it. Malaysia’s immigration office had blacklisted the couple from leaving the country.

Malaysian police took action. Forces swooped on property linked to Mr Najib’s family, seizing $275m in luxury goods including 284 boxes of handbags, $30m in cash denominated in different currencies and a jewellery collection featuring, among other objects, 14 tiaras.

The reckoning unfolds

“I think it’s about time,” is how Maria Chin Abdullah, an MP who spent decades battling human rights abuses by Malaysia’s authoritarian governments, described the arrest of Mr Najib. In a shocking move that would have seemed impossible just two months before, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission detained Mr Najib overnight before prosecutors slapped the former leader with the first set of many criminal charges linked to SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary.

August 2018

By August charges against Mr Najib had started piling up, with Malaysian prosecutors — led by attorney-general Tommy Thomas — accusing the former leader of money laundering .

October 4, 2018

Two months later, Malaysian authorities dragged Ms Rosmah into the spotlight, accusing her of money laundering and tax evasion . The hearing was welcomed by her critics. Unfazed by the scandals engulfing her family, Ms Rosmah had been continuing to flaunt her opulence.

October 11, 2018

Just days after his wife was pulled into Kuala Lumpur courts, Mr Najib was unrepentant in an interview with the Financial Times in which he denied all wrongdoing and blamed others for his downfall in the May election. Asked about the trial expected in 2019, he said he welcomed the chance to clear his name. Here he is in a video interview with the FT at the time:

February 11, 2019

The trial was postponed on a technical matter. Mr Najib faces more than 40 charges of breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power linked to state entities and 1MDB. The former leader has been on a charm offensive leading up to the trial, bolstering his social media presence to salvage his image. But Tuesday’s court battle is set to be fierce, with Mr Thomas — known for his fight against corruption and for openly criticising Umno, Mr Najib’s party, while he was in power — working closely with the prosecution.

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Discursive Approaches to Politics in Malaysia pp 251–268 Cite as

Conceptualizing Money Laundering in the 1MDB Scandal: An Analysis of Metaphors in The Sarawak Report

• Rachel Lim 9 &
• David Yoong 9  
• Open Access
• First Online: 01 January 2023

2517 Accesses

Part of the Asia in Transition book series (AT,volume 18)

The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal is one of the most complex and widely reported scandals in the world as it involves a complicated web of financial transactions, business deals and other forms of transactions. The complexities of this scandal were first exposed by an online news portal called The Sarawak Report . Metaphors were extensively used by the primary writer, Clair Rewcastle Brown, to describe the scandal, which helps readers comprehend the magnitude of the scandal. The data used in this chapter come from 1MDB-related articles in The Sarawak Report blog. Critical metaphor analysis is used to identify, interpret, and explain the primary orientation of the conceptual metaphors found in the blog posts. This approach unpacks the metaphors used in context and reveals underlying meanings and motivations of surface level metaphors, helping readers to make connections between the subject matter and the concepts that are used to describe it. The analysis shows that the mixing of different concepts and analogies enable readers to understand the actions of the culprits, the act of money laundering, and the severity of the crime of corruption. This chapter demonstrates how metaphors can be used to make a complex and challenging issue easier to comprehend.

• Conceptual metaphors

Download chapter PDF

13.1 Introduction

The Sarawak Report (TSR) on 28th February 2015 first revealed the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, which amassed a massive debt of US$11.73 billion for Malaysia. The extent of this scandal was so significant that US Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, remarked in 2017 that 1MDB was “kleptocracy at its worst.” 1MDB’s dealings involved a complex web of activities and money trails that are difficult to follow due to secrecy in its national and international transactions, as well as the data being shrouded in technical financial-business language. Preliminary analysis suggests that TSR made the technical information of the clandestine money laundering details more accessible to the public using conceptual metaphors. Consider the following excerpt.

Extract 1: An Example from TSR (Brown, 2016f )

World’s Biggest Money Laundering Investigation Goes Up Another Gear [a car changing gear to speed up]

Malaysia could find fame for triggering [ a human entity/celebrity discharging a weapon ] a new, more effective level of regulatory cooperation between the financial centres of the world—one positive development from landing at the centre of the world’s biggest money laundering investigation [ arriving at a destination ].

Today’s events have been an indicator of how closely investigators are working to trace the US$7 billion, which Malaysia’s Auditor General now calculates to have gone missing from the 1MDB development fund into a network of obscure off-shore “treasure island” companies [ pirate buried treasures ], before emerging once again in the bank accounts and asset portfolios of politically connected Malaysians.

There is extensive literature that examines how metaphors are employed in the news (e.g. Kennedy, 2009 ; Shie, 2010 ), and there is research that has focussed on how metaphors are used by alleged wrongdoers to deflect blame (Dryll, 2017 ; Hansson, 2018 ; Richard, 2014 ). Arguably, the choice of metaphors is also idiosyncratic because it reflects a writer’s creativity in expressing ideas and educating his/her audience, as seen in Farrah Diebaa and Su’ad (Chap 4 ). For this reason, it is worthwhile examining how author and editor, Claire Rewcastle Brown of TSR used conceptual metaphors to narrate the 1MDB saga creatively and to help the public comprehend the significant events that took place. To explore this phenomenon further, we pursued the following line of enquiry in this research: What metaphors were used in TSR to describe the 1MDB scandal, specifically when describing money, the main perpetrators, Najib Razak and Jho Low as well as the scandal as a whole?

We used Sketch Engine to identify the different collocations used with the search term ‘1MDB’ in TSR’s published blog posts. Following that, a list of concordances was used to recognise other contextual metaphors. Charteris-Black’s ( 2004 ) critical metaphor analysis (CMA), which consists of metaphor identification, interpretation, and explanation, was used to determine the deployed metaphors. Additionally, the study uses the Merriam-Webster dictionary ( Merriam ), Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English ( Longman ), Collin’s Cobuild Dictionary ( Collin ), and the Online Etymology Dictionary ( Etymology ) to confirm the original uses and origins of the metaphors found to verify their use and meaning in context. Besides that, these dictionaries also display examples of how the conceptual metaphors were used in similar contexts.

13.2 The 1Malaysia Development Berhad Scandal

Launched to increase foreign investment into Malaysia, 1MDB was founded by Najib Razak when he took office in 2009 as the Prime Minister of Malaysia. On its now-defunct website, the company’s vision was to be “a strategic enabler for new ideas and sources of growth.” Its mission was “to drive sustainable economic development by forging strategic global partnerships and promoting foreign direct investment (FDI)”. Besides being the founder of the investment fund, Najib also led the advisory board and was heavily involved in overseeing all operations in the company. Initially, the company was set up to buy privately-owned power plants in Malaysia and even the Middle East. Other plans include the development of a new financial district called the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) in Kuala Lumpur. In 2014, rather than earning extra revenue, 1MDB generated a debt of US$11 billion, and this drew condemnation from various opposition groups (Adam et al., 2018 ).

Whilst she was investigating the illegal logging trade by then Chief Minister of Sarawak and now Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Abdul Taib Mahmud, Clair Rewcastle Brown was handed a total of 227,000 leaked documents with in-depth details of the 1MDB fraud in 2015. The leaked data revealed money laundering trails and elaborate scams. They disclosed the different perpetrators involved in the scandal, which included Najib Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor, and Jho Low. The scandal gained greater infamy in July 2015 when the Wall Street Journal published documents indicating that Najib Razak had accepted at least US$681 million as payment into his private bank account (Channel News Asia, 2018 ).

In 2017, the United States Department of Justice (US DOJ) released a press statement regarding the scandal. According to the DOJ, funds of US$4.5 billion belonging to 1MDB were allegedly embezzled by high-ranking officials of 1MDB and their partners. The DOJ mobilised to recover approximately US$540 million in assets stolen from 1MDB (US DOJ, 2017). From the years 2009–2015, money was allegedly used to finance extravagant shopping sprees of designer bags, real estate, and luxurious jewellery. Besides that, Jho Low also misappropriated the funds from 1MDB and spent the money lavishly on luxury yachts, alcohol, and expensive parties as well as fund the production of the movie The Wolf of Wall Street .

13.3 Conceptual Metaphors

Metaphors are powerful tools that enable communicators to persuade and convince people to believe a version of the truth, to evoke certain emotions for specific reasons or it may be a heuristic, to summarise a concept or story in the most straightforward and more relatable way possible. As Charteris-Black and Musolff ( 2003 , p. 158) put it, metaphors enable the communicator to:

…achieve particular rhetorical goals such as establishing a relationship with the reader and making judgements by selecting particular words and phrases to refer to important topics when these words or phrases usually refer to other topics.

Conceptual metaphors are a formal statement of an idea by using some imagery or figure of speech to describe a particular scenario or even a character. According to the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) formalised by Lakoff and Johnson ( 1980 ), conceptual metaphors highlight the role of cognition in the interpretation of discourse. Metaphors cannot be deciphered just by finding its meaning in the dictionary without considering the context. Koller ( 2004 , p. 3) states that “by favouring particular metaphors in discourse, journalists can reinforce, or even create, particular mental models in their readers’ cognition.”

Mapping is a core concept in the conceptual metaphor approach. The mappings between basic and abstract domains can be described using conceptual metaphors and conceptual keys. Charteris-Black ( 2004 , p. 15) says that conceptual metaphors are “formal statements of any idea that is hidden in a figure of speech that can be inferred from several metaphorical expressions and helps to resolve their semantic tension.” He adds that conceptual keys are “inferred from a number of conceptual metaphors and is a higher level of metaphor that explains how several conceptual metaphors are related” (ibid.). When combined, conceptual metaphors and conceptual keys show the motivation of surface level metaphors. They are a “valuable notion of describing and classifying figurative language.” Besides that, they also explain which ideas are associated with the source (Charteris-Black, 2004 , p. 16).

In examining conceptual metaphors, we need to consider three stages: Identification, interpretation, and explanation. Cameron and Low ( 1999 , p. 34) construe that the three stages “typically proceeds by collecting examples of linguistic metaphors used to talk about the topic… generalising from them to the conceptual metaphors they exemplify and using the results to suggest understandings or thought patterns which construct or constrain people’s beliefs and actions.”

The following describes how CMA is carried out. It begins with metaphor identification. Metaphor identification consists of two stages. In the first stage, the analyst manually goes through the selected texts from the chosen corpus to identify words, phrases or sentences that may be identified as possible candidate metaphors. In the second stage, the analyst decides whether the metaphors found are used in a literal or metaphorical sense. During this stage, concordance software can be used to support the analysis to observe the different contexts the keywords have been used in to make precise comparisons.

The next stage of CMA is metaphor interpretation. It “involves establishing a relationship between metaphors and the cognitive and pragmatic factors that determine them” (Charteris-Black, 2004 , p. 37). At this stage, conceptual metaphors and conceptual keys are identified and mapped. Analysts need to take into consideration the extent of metaphor choices in “constructing socially important representation” (p. 38) to determine whether or not the word choices used were rhetorically successful in showcasing the writer’s evaluations of the subject matter.

The final stage of CMA is metaphor explanation. In this stage, the analyst focuses on distinguishing the social agencies involved in the discourse production and their “social role in persuasion” (p. 39) The analyst would have to identify the functions of the conceptual metaphors and conceptual keys found in the corpus to propose the writer’s ideological and rhetorical motivation. The evidence of said motivations is not found in the writer’s intuition but in the context in which the metaphors occur. This stage can also be supported by using corpus concordance to compare uses in context.

13.4 Text Analysis Research Methods

One hundred ninety-nine blog posts were extracted from TSR’s official website. These articles were found using the search term ‘1MDB.’ The articles were then saved as *.txt files and compiled into a corpus using the Corpus Building Tool in an online lexicology software called Sketch Engine (Kilgariff et al., 2014 ). The articles date between 2010 and2017 when the scandal first began to be investigated by TSR.

The study applies the empirical method of critical metaphor analysis based on Charteris-Black’s ( 2004 ) three-steps of identification, interpretation, and explanation. Firstly, metaphorical expressions and metaphor keywords are manually identified and classified according to their source domain (linguistic content) and the target domain (what they describe). The definition of a metaphor is based on the primary orientation of metaphors, as suggested by Charteris-Black ( 2004 ). Then, cognitive semantics are employed to infer the assumptions that underlie metaphor use and to explain the relationship between its linguistic choices and metaphorical meanings.

In past corpus-based studies of metaphors, Krennmayr ( 2014 ) conducted a quantitative analysis of metaphors in a set of British newspapers to explore whether metaphors were truly ubiquitous in news writing. Su’ad and Norazit ( 2013 ) compared the metaphors used to describe and report the 2008 global economic crisis in major newspapers in Malaysia and Singapore using corpus linguistics tools.

Corpus concordance methods were used because they provide “a set of procedures, or methods, for studying language” (McEnery & Hardie, 2012 ). It enables us to carry out “rapid searches of patterns that can be investigated qualitatively and quantitatively” (Krennmayr, 2014 , p. 532). To perform metaphor identification, a manual reading of all 199 blog posts was replaced using Sketch Engine . The ‘Word Sketch Function’ narrows down the collocations of ‘1MDB.’ Then, the concordance tool which lists the ‘Keywords In Context’ (KWIC) are manually checked for the most salient metaphors used in describing the 1MDB scandal. A metaphor becomes salient when a word or group of words come from different conceptual domains, e.g. ‘Look east policy.’ ‘Look east’ is a visual direction-orientation focus action that is connected to ‘policy,’ which is an abstract idea of governance. The dashboard interface of Sketch Engine is shown in Fig.  13.1 .

The dashboard of Sketch Engine

The data are presented in the form of bar charts and tables to identify and process the metaphors used in the corpus. Next, the metaphor interpretation is supported using Merriam , Longman , Collin , and Etymology is also used to understand the etymological meanings or the original meanings of the metaphors. Finally, the interpreted data are explained by comparing the conceptual metaphors with their original definitions, based on the contexts found in the text. Context refers to the surrounding words that contribute towards meaning accuracy.

13.5 Analysis

In this section, we discuss how conceptual metaphors were used in the texts to provide a description and comparison of the powerful culprits, simplify the act of money laundering and intensify the severity of the crime of corruption.

13.5.1 Metaphors Used to Describe the Culprits

The personification of 1MDB was very evident in the collocation of the search terms ‘1MDB + has.’ The verb ‘has’ indicates possession or ownership, i.e. it represents the actions and experiences of a person in the perfect tense and the conditional mood of that individual at a particular time. 130 appearances of this keyword were noted (Extract 2).

Extract 2: ‘1MDB + has’ (Brown, 2016a , 2016b , 2016c )

So 1MDB has now suddenly admitted it has ‘documents’ for the Aabar BVI company after all, even though it had refused to produce them to the PAC or Auditor General (Brown, 2016a ).

It also dissolved its board of advisers, which Mr. Najib chaired. 1MDB has said it would cooperate with investigations but hasn’t been contacted yet by any outside agency (Brown, 2016b ).

1MDB had claimed this money was being ‘invested’ by its subsidiary 1MDB Global, however it has already been queried why so much government cash was passed to the small, private BSI Bank after the bond issue by Goldman Sachs?” (Brown, 2016c ).

In these examples, we see how 1MDB exist as an agent who can speak, admit something, and make claims. Rewcastle Brown has also described Jho Low as the Jay Gatsby of the twenty-first century. She did so 11 times in the 199 articles. Jay Gatsby is a fictional character from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece, The Great Gatsby . He is a mysterious millionaire with shady business connections who amassed great wealth by illegal means. Whilst he usually does not want to be acknowledged when throwing lavish parties for his wealthy and famous friends, he did try to win the heart of a lady he fell in love with, trying to impress her with his riches and possessions.

Extract 3: Examples of ‘Jay Gatsby’ (Brown, 2015a )

‘ Jay Low’ acting out for real the role of his best Hollywood pal Leo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby?

Close up—follow the trail showing the first payments into Jho Low’s company Good Star, followed by the pay offs for his co-conspirators! *Secret ‘ Jay Lho’ Gatsby of the twenty-first century party scene* It is clear that Jho Low was immediately desperate to wallow in his fabulous sudden riches from 1MDB and keen to impress new collaborators for future scams, such as the then Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Aabar fund and the Hakkasan chain, Khadem Al Qubaisi, who became a key pal and business partner

Like the fictitious conman Jay Gatsby of the iconic American novel The Great Gatsby, Jho Low has attempted to keep to the background of the enormous parties he has funded

By comparing Low to Gatsby, Brown presents Low as a swindler who obtained a substantial amount of money for himself, his family, personal friends, ex-lovers, associates, and especially for Najib Razak and Rosmah Mansor. Jho Low has also been known to have played a part in the production of the Hollywood movie, The Wolf of Wall Street , which was a project by Riza Aziz, the step-son of Najib Razak. Jho Low also organised expensive and alcohol-filled parties for celebrities such as Jamie Foxx, Paris Hilton, and Leonardo DiCaprio. It was also reported that Low had purchased expensive jewellery for his ex-lovers, including a diamond necklace for Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr (Malaysiakini, 2018 ), a wedding ring for a proposal to Taiwanese singer Elva Hsiao, and for the socialite, Paris Hilton (Chen et al., 2019 ). Moreover, he also used the usurped money to acquire precious stones and jewellery for his family.

Sketch Engine also revealed the word orchestrator and orchestrated being used in several contexts. These words appeared 14 out of 45 times to compare Jho Low and Najib Razak with a musical orchestrator, who provided high-level directions of songs and arrangements in musical performances:

Extract 4: Examples of orchestrator (Brown, 2016d )

This money was also used by Low to acquire business and other assets in the US. *The Aabar/BVI Phase—Money went directly to Najib* The DOJ goes on to deal with what it describes as the second major phase of the kleptocracy scam, plainly orchestrated by the one man still in charge throughout, PM Najib Razak

“Jasmine Ai Swan Loo was originally identified by TSR as a key player in so-called Project Uganda, the operation orchestrated by Jho Low to channel money out of 1MDB and through PetroSaudi in order to buy up Taib Mahmud’s family concern UBG group.”

This PetroSaudi deal was, as we now know, the first of several sums that disappeared from 1MDB in a similar fashion over subsequent years, each of which was orchestrated by Jho Low, who has simultaneously managed the Prime Minister’s private business, right down to paying for his wife Rosmah’s diamond purchases in Hong Kong

A search on the Word Sketch Function of Sketch Engine under the English Web 2015 corpus listed the word orchestrator as a noun that had a frequency of 6229 per million, often used alongside the word of. Using the Keyword in Context (KWIC), it was found that orchestrator was used in a few contexts. Merriam and Longman define the verb orchestrate as “to compose or arrange (music) for an orchestra” ( Merriam ). Similarly, Longman defines the verb as “written to organise an important event or a complicated plan, especially secretly.”

13.5.2 Metaphors Used to Describe the Elaborate and Complex Process of Money Laundering

The most significant metaphor used by Brown to simplify the process of money laundering is a liquid metaphor. The notable liquid metaphors identified in the articles are syphon , channel , flow , and splash . The following words clearly illustrate that the frequency of liquid metaphors used in the article is of a significant number and influence in the reporting of the 1MDB scandal. According to Etymology , the original meaning of syphon is in the form of a noun is defined below:

A tube bent to form two legs of unequal length by which a liquid can be transferred to a lower level over an intermediate elevation by the pressure of the atmosphere in forcing the liquid up the shorter branch of the tube immersed in it whilst the excess of weight of the liquid in the longer branch when once filled causes a continuous flow; a bent tube used for getting liquid out of a container, used by holding one end of the tube at a lower level than the end in the container.

To dishonestly take money from a business, account, etc. to use it for a purpose for which it was not intended.

In TSR, the term syphon was used a total of 31 times throughout the 199 articles, making it the most saliently used term to refer to liquid cash. Syphon (verb) is a word used to describe illegal money transactions. As a metaphor, it is still synonymous with the first definition as the movement of money is described as a one-way process. The following are some examples of how it was presented in the articles:

Extract 5: Examples of syphon (Brown, 2016g )

TSR has obtained exclusive close-ups of documents held up by Apandi at the event, which show that investigators had traced a further RM33 million on top of the RM42 million, which the PM has now admitted was syphoned from the KWAP public pension fund into his personal bank accounts.

Low had poured US$300 million into PetroSaudi and paid Tarek a US$85 million brokerage fee for acting as “a front” in the scheme to syphon a total US$1.4 billion out of the 1MDB joint venture.

When the scandal first erupted, Najib had responded wide-eyed to suggestions that money had been syphoned out of the struggling 1MDB by his close friend Jho Low.

To this end they say Najib has orchestrated the syphoning of major chunks of Sarawak’s infrastructure and health budgets into companies controlled by Bustari Yusof, as we reported.

The word channel is the second most frequently used word in the 199 articles from TSR. Etymologically, it was first used as a noun in Old French, channel which referred to a “bed of a stream of water” and “by which something passes or is transmitted” ( Etymology ). The word is more frequently used as a verb throughout TSR. Longman defines the verb as: “to control and direct something such as money or energy towards a particular purpose.” In TSR, the verb channel was found to be used 32 times, most saliently in phrases such as channel money to, channel money out of and channel (money) from, as in Fig.  13.2 .

Frequency of channel in TSR

Channel often collocates with the nouns related to money such as billions (of dollars) and funds . The examples are listed below.

Extract 6: Examples of channel (Brown, 2016e )

Najib’s fighting fund was the 1MDB theft’s smoking gun Indeed, without their ability to buy votes in Sarawak/Sabah BN would have long since lost its majority in Federal Malaysia and this was the reason why Najib has openly admitted that he used money from 1MDB to channel his bogus “Saudi royal donation” into his election fighting account at AmBank in March 2013.

Aabar is a fund known to have strong investment ties with Malaysia’s 1MDB and also the Malaysian business tycoon Jho Low, whom it backed during a bid for the Claridige’s hotel group in London Yet, Red Granite, which is owned by Najib Razak’s step-son, Riza Aziz, had earlier threatened to sue TSR for querying if the hundreds of millions channelled into the company’s various film projects could indeed be linked to Riza’s Malaysian connections and his close party friend, Jho Low.

We have detailed how US$1 billion + US$500 million + US$330 million (= US$1.83 billion) were channelled from 1MDB into a fraudulent deal with PetroSaudi, where most of the money was diverted into the Zurich account of the company Good Star Limited belonging to its official ‘Advisor’ Jho Low.

The figures show that the first $148 million in stolen money were transferred into Jho Low’s US accounts on 21st October 2009, just a couple of weeks after the $700 million was channelled out of 1MDB into his Good Star account in Zurich.

The first uses of the word flow were as the Old English word flowan , which meant “to flow, stream, issue; become liquid, melt; abound, overflow” ( Etymology ). Longman refers to the word in verb form and defines it as “if money flows somewhere, such as into a bank account or into a particular country, it is moved there.” In TSR, the word ‘flow’ has been used as a verb in describing the movement of cash 39 times, as in Fig.  13.3 .

Frequency of the word flow in TSR

O’Connor ( 1998 ) states that money is usually related to the transferability and instancy of access. This refers to the immediacy of availability when it is conceptualised as a liquid. The MONEY IS A LIQUID conceptual metaphor may also show “transitoriness and instability” which are most often associated with the concept of flow , which relates to the process of moving or running smoothly with unbroken continuity of moving liquid (Henderson, 2000 ) Hence, money might flow in and out of a company, organisation or individual’s bank accounts, which in this case is conceptualised as a container, resting on the image schema of a CONTAINER. Here are some examples of how flow was used in the articles from TSR.

Extract 7: Examples of flow (Brown, 2016g , 2016h )

It can be seen that sums totalling RM12 million flowed on from the PM’s account ending *880* into his other AmBank account ending *906* (which was also to receive some of the monies paid later from the RM42 million).

Armed with this decision making control, the Jho Low controlled Panama Investment Manager bought over UBG bank in the name of Tarek Obaid and PetroSaudi International: Li Lin Seet–answered to Jho Low and was the signatory of the two companies that controlled the money which flowed from 1MDB to the UBG buy out Li Lin Seet—answered to Jho Low and was the signatory of the two companies that controlled the money which flowed from 1MDB to the UBG buy out Delightfully for the young men involved, there was clearly plenty of money left over in the system to fund a very expensive life-style for Seet and some new found friends on the celebrity circuit.

This, BN tells them, is ‘progress’ and keeping the money flowing through Sarawak’s “safe deposit” is Najib’s priority to keep his party and himself in power.

The word splash originated from the noun plash, which was defined as “small puddle, shallow pool, wet ground.” Later in 1736, it was used as a noun to refer to “water or liquid thrown upon anything” ( Etymology ). In Sketch Engine under the Word Sketch function in the English Web 2015 Corpus, it was found that the word was not also collocated with the natural movement of liquid such as splashed water or splashed paint. Instead, it was also found to be used with words such as money, cash, and millions. In TSR, the word splash was found to be used 27 times in the 199 articles in variations such as ‘splash,’ ‘splashed’ and ‘splashing’, as in Fig.  13.4 . All of them are in the form of verbs.

Frequency of the word splash in TSR

Splash is more frequently used in describing the act of overspending, giving the image of treating money as if it was a large amount of water without thorough consideration. The following are examples of how it was used in the articles from TSR.

Extract 8: Examples of splash (Brown, 2015b )

Najib used both a Visa and a MasterCard on the 2014 holiday splurge Najib used both a Visa and a MasterCard on the 2014 holiday splurge Prime Minister Najib Razak splashed over US$1 million on his credit cards during the month of August in the year following the election, according to information received by TSR.

Two weeks beforehand Jho Low was living it up in St Tropez with Paris Hilton. Newspapers in New York had registered Jho Low when he first started splashing money in October 2009 straight after the PSI joint venture was signed.

Jho Low has been splashing out on ‘philanthropy’, e.g. US$50million to US cancer research…but did the money come from Malaysia’s development fund?

Liquid metaphors were the most salient conceptual metaphors used to describe the process of illegal transactions through money laundering. They may have been used because liquids can easily be shaped and controlled. Furthermore, liquid also moves at rapid speed. It may indicate that the millions were very swiftly and efficiently transferred from one place to another on command. Besides that, liquid can be controlled more easily than gas, indicating that Najib and his collaborators may have had full control on where the direction of the millions go, just like the motion of water. The use of splash when describing how the money was spent showed the evaluation that the vast sums of money were mindlessly and excessively spent by Najib, Low and the other culprits of the scandal, often without any consideration or even remorse, intensifying the severity of their actions.

In an email interview with Brown (personal communication, 2nd April, 2019), she mentioned that by describing cash with words associated with a moving liquid process, it neatly suggests a continuous and regular movement of money. Therefore, if there is a system in place for the transfer of funds, words such as channel or flow would be most suitable in this context. However, if it is related to a one-off cash transaction, then words such as syphon would be more appropriate for the situation. Brown also says that people also respond to alliteration and assonance. As a journalist, she reiterates that such usage of liquid metaphors tends to be a natural process as she has only one main objective in mind whilst reporting, which is to engage with the reader instinctively.

13.5.3 Metaphors Used to Intensify the Scandal

The conceptual metaphor abuse is often used alongside the noun ‘power’ to describe the misuse of power by people in power. Longman defines abuse as “the use of something in a way that it should not be used.” Etymology says the word ‘abuse’ comes from “wicked act or practise, shameful thing, violation of decency.”

Extract 9: Examples of abuse (Brown, 2016g , 2016h )

But, every shred of evidence in the 1MDB case (which is what this is all about) shows only one thing, which is that the Prime Minister had been stealing billions from Malaysian public funds in a massive abuse of trust and power.

And what must their neighbours in Saudi Arabia also be thinking, given the similar set of claims 1MDB made over PetroSaudi? *Why Najib cannot escape* The ultimate problem is that all this lying and abuse of power in Malaysia, which is based on a local misconception that Najib is ‘all-powerful’ and ‘untouchable,’ cannot cover up the international money trail, which has started to emerge.

Najib has utilised the law against scores of key figures in Malaysia over the past few months, who happen to have voiced concern against his blatant abuse of the legal system and over the widespread corruption allegations relating to 1MDB and the PM’s own bank accounts.

According to Etymology , the word abuse is associated with non-consensual, forced sexual activity. Brown’s use of the conceptual metaphor in phrases such as abuse of power, abuse of trust and abuse of the legal system when describing the main perpetrators’ actions show that they consider themselves to be above the law. They can do anything they like for the purpose of gaining wealth and access. The money they stole from 1MDB was supposed to be used to benefit the people of Malaysia. However, the act of abusing the power that has been given to them can be likened to sexual abuse such as rape, not allowing the victim to make any choice or support any decision making.

Body part metaphors were also used to portray how lavishly money was spent and stolen by the perpetrators, highlighting the intensity and seriousness of the act of money laundering and corruption. They brought about an aesthetic function whilst describing the lavishness of the money profited by the different parties described, ascribed to tangible and intangible ideas to improve the clarity or astuteness of the articulation. In the context of this paper, handsome is used to describe the level of lavishness in profit for the different individuals involved in 1MDB. According to Walters-York ( 1996 ), the aesthetic function of a metaphor carries meaning closer to ‘emotive or sensual experience’. For example, any attempt to reword the phrase ‘representational faithfulness’ would bring about a different meaning and would lack the impact and suggestiveness that the word ‘faithfulness’ gives in describing accounting. (Walters-York, 1996 ). The following are examples of some of the body part metaphors used in TSR.

Extract 10: Examples of handsome (Brown, 2016i )

Bridge Partners were supposed to pay a handsome price of US$2.3 billion for these shares, according to the ‘sale purchase agreement,’ which was advertised by 1MDB as a successful profit on its original US$1.83 billion investment into this series of PetroSaudi related enterprises.

The Prime Minister cum Finance Minister has nevertheless persisted in maintaining that 1MDB sold out its ‘interest’ in the PetroSaudi venture for a handsome profit to a third party (who has mysteriously remained anonymous) and that the proceeds (alleged to be US$2.3 billion) were stashed in a shadowy and anonymous Cayman Islands fund.

The adjective handsome was used 7 times in the 199 articles and was found to collocate with words related to monetary gain such as profit, price, remunerations, price and million (dollar fund). The adjective fat on the other hand was used as a conceptual metaphor 7 times throughout TSR articles. It was found to often collocate with the word profit, which refers to “a valuable return” ( Merriam ).

Brown’s choices of metaphors suggest that she was trying to not only emphasise the fact that a sizable amount of money was stolen from 1MDB, and she also reinforces the seriousness of the issue. These adjectives handsome and fat share a common characteristic: all of them were used to reiterate that huge sums of money were stolen. Instead of using basic physical adjectives such as big and huge, the body part metaphors inflicted an intense evaluation of the crime of corruption and suggests how everything related to money in this scandal is either given or taken in large amounts.

Although they were not as frequently found as compared to the other conceptual metaphors, the few examples of these metaphors found in the 199 articles are enough to show Brown’s evaluation of Najib and Low’s lavish expenditures.

13.6 Discussion and Conclusion

However, it should also be stressed that there were some difficulties that emerged throughout the process of identifying the conceptual metaphors and their contexts. Firstly, even though a framework and guideline were provided by Charteris-Black ( 2004 ) for identifying conceptual metaphors, there was a danger of over-analysing the words found and jumping to conclusions. Secondly, some of the metaphors used in the articles were not commonly used amongst people who did not learn English as a first language. In the email interview with Brown (personal communication, 2nd April 2019), she mentioned that she did write her blog posts to suit and target a certain audience. This implies that the readers would have to have a similar linguistic background or prior knowledge of the metaphors that she had chosen, or they would not get the impact of these choices.

The metaphors that Brown chose to use emphasised the seriousness of the scandal, and arguably, it aroused curiosity in people and compelled anger amongst those who read TSR. Citizens started to call for investigations into the stolen funds and the criminal wrongdoings highlighted in the alternative media also led to the downfall of the government in the 14th General Elections. On the face of it, what can be concluded from the findings and analysis is that metaphors are very useful in shaping viewpoints and helping readers to understand a subject matter in a more simplified manner through images and even concepts which they are familiar with. Further studies can be carried out to test these ideas via experimental research designs.

This research also suggests that it is important for readers to not just read at a surface level, but to delve deeper into the blog posts and decipher what message the writer intends to send across. Additionally, future research can compare how other news media describes the 1MDB scandal using metaphors. For example, another news media outlet that has covered the scandal is the Wall Street Journal . A comparative study can be conducted to explore the different metaphors used to describe the main perpetrators, Najib Razak and Jho Low to explore whether there are similarities between writers, the evaluation shown and the impact on readers. Besides that, future studies can also look into Brown’s book, TSR: The Inside Story of the 1MDB Exposé that was released in 2018. The other conceptual metaphors she uses in her book should be studied and explored and future researchers might want to include the feedback from her readers to gather the impact of her choice of conceptual metaphors and how it helped them to understand the scandal better.

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Lim, R., Yoong, D. (2023). Conceptualizing Money Laundering in the 1MDB Scandal: An Analysis of Metaphors in The Sarawak Report . In: Rajandran, K., Lee, C. (eds) Discursive Approaches to Politics in Malaysia. Asia in Transition, vol 18. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5334-7_13

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we have always lived in the castle essay questions

We have always lived in the castle.

By shirley jackson, we have always lived in the castle essay questions.

How is sisterhood portrayed in the novel?

Sisterhood is portrayed as an unbreakable bond in We Have Always Lived in the Castle . Merricat’s chief motivation throughout the novel is keeping Constance in isolation with her because she longs to be close to her, while Constance seemingly immediately forgives Merricat for murdering their family and even risks going to jail for the killings herself.

How are male and female roles within the family portrayed?

Male roles within the Blackwood family tend to be linked to money and the logical, rational outside world, while female roles are tied to the home and a less rational form of magic. For example, Charles interrupts the Blackwood sisters’ isolation and is deeply concerned with the family safe, while Merricat uses her witchcraft to attempt to send him away and regain her isolation with Constance.

Does Uncle Julian differ from other men in the Blackwood family? If so, how?

Yes—unlike most of the men in the novel, he never tries to establish himself as an authority figure over Constance or Merricat. Instead, he seems comfortable letting Constance lead the household. He also shows little care for money or social norms, unlike other male characters.

What is the significance of the novel’s title?

The title romanticizes the Blackwood property by elevating it to the level of a home for royalty, and also suggesting that it is a site of heavy fortification and security. It also references Merricat’s childish nature and tendency to daydream—living in a castle is the sort of thing a young girl would fantasize about. The word “always” goes along with the sense of timelessness that appears in the end of the novel, when Merricat and Constance are fully isolated.

How do the Blackwood sisters respond to loss in the novel?

The sisters respond to death and other forms of loss in a very muted, almost emotionless manner. Despite living with Uncle Julian for years, they barely mourn him and quickly move on from his death. When the house almost burns down, Constance is more concerned that Merricat missed dinner than she is with the restructuring that she will have to do to her life.

Does Merricat show remorse for killing her family?

Though for the most part Merricat seems not to feel guilt for killing her family, there are several small moments that suggest she might feel a small degree of remorse. For example, one morning she wakes up and thinks she can hear them calling her, which is unusual considering that six years have passed. This moment suggests that her family are present in her mind more than she acknowledges.

What do the preserves represent?

Food is a common source of female power in the novel. The preserves, created by generations of Blackwood women, represent the generational roots of this power. Ultimately, they are key to allowing Merricat and Constance to live in full isolation since they provide them food without having to leave the house.

Why does Jackson mention that Charles resembles John Blackwood?

Charles's physical resemblance to the sisters' father parallels his ideological and thematic resemblance to the patriarch of the Blackwood family. Like John, Charles is chiefly concerned with money, and he also attempts to control Merricat.

What is the significance of the scene in which Merricat envisions dinner with her dead family?

The scene reveals the reality of what happened the night of the murders: Merricat was punished by being sent to bed without dinner. This experience seems to have scarred her psychologically, since she still dwells on it six years later. Since the reader doesn't know why Merricat was punished, it's difficult to gauge to how outlandish her reaction is.

What is the significance of the novel's final line?

The final line of the novel ("We are so happy") indicates that Merricat has finally been victorious in converting Constance to her worldview and life of happy isolation. Though Constance has always been wary of outsiders, she considered leaving the house earlier in the novel, much to Merricat's concern. At the end of the novel, Merricat no longer has to worry about "protecting" Constance and can live happily ever after with her in their house.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Where is the fire foreshadowed in the book?

In Chapter Six, Merricat goes to the summer house, somewhere she hasn't visited in six years. While there she explains that no one in her family liked the summerhouse, and her mother even asked to burn it down.... forshadowing a possible fire.

What is the dynamic between men and women through the symbol of nature?

I'm not sure about the nature part of your question. Through the dynamics of the Blackwood family and the town as a whole, Merricat’s world is split starkly into male authority and female power. The magic that Merricat practices and believes in...

I cant seem to find the page number for the quotes

I don't know what quotes you mean. Page numbers also differ from copy to copy.

Study Guide for We Have Always Lived in the Castle

We Have Always Lived in the Castle study guide contains a biography of Shirley Jackson, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About We Have Always Lived in the Castle
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• Character List

Essays for We Have Always Lived in the Castle

We Have Always Lived in the Castle essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson.

• Pearls in the Castle: Comparing Materialism and Gender in Fiction by Steinbeck and Jackson

Lesson Plan for We Have Always Lived in the Castle

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to We Have Always Lived in the Castle
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
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• We Have Always Lived in the Castle Bibliography

Table of contents, quote bank for whalitc, essay 1 : “family is the cause of all the problems in we have always lived in the castle.’ do you agree, essay 2 : merricat and constance find safety in their ruined house, but they sacrifice their freedom. discuss..

• Essay 3 : “In We Have Always lived in the castle the women are stronger than the men” discuss.
• Essay 4 : In We Have Always Lived in the Castle the villagers are motivated by fear more than anything else. Do you agree?
• Essay 5 : “The world is full of terrible people,” says Merricat. How accurate is Merricat’s assessment of the people around her?
• Essay 6 : IN WHALTIC, the Blackwoods see change as a threat. Do you agree?
• Essay 7 : Safety is ultimately restored for the Blackwood sisters, but at what cost? Discuss.
• Essay 8 : Merricat and Constance are both the heroes and the villains in WHALITC. Discuss.
• Essay 9 : The choices Merricat makes are always based on self-preservation. Do you agree?
• Essay 10 : How does Jackson create an atmosphere of menace in We Have Always Lived in the Castle?

Shirley Jackson’s gothic novel WHALITC, set in a conservative and claustrophobic village, denotes the severe ramifications that oppressive societal expectations and conformist attitudes can have on the members of a nuclear family. While the plot revolves around the members of the Blackwood family, the cause of all the problems that plague them arise from the intense pressures of patriarchal standards placed upon the Blackwood sisters, contributing to the death of their family and the destruction of their house. However, it is also important to note the compounding effects that isolation can have on the demeanour and mental state of the characters and its contribution to the disasters of the novel. Through an analysis of the consequences of overbearing patriarchal values, expressed through the death of the family and the destruction of the house, in addition to the effects of isolation from the village, one can understand Jackson’s fable as an investigation into the complex web of relationships in a family which are often fraught with conflicts.

The two incidents in the novel that form the basis of plot – the death of almost all of the Blackwood family, and the destruction of the Blackwood estate – arise from the overbearing patriarchal nature that govern the family members. Indeed, the framing of the novel through the first-person narration of Merricat in her leading role in these events demonstrates the rebellion against the patriarchal and patrilineal characteristics of the nuclear family in the 19th Century. Firstly, her role in the poisoning of the family is construed within the symbol of food – an inherently female-oriented aspect of life in which the Blackwood women are seen to preserve “deeply coloured rows of jellies and pickles and bottled vegetables and fruit.” Through the use of polysyndeton, in addition to colourful imagery – “maroon and amber and dark rich green” – Jackson bombards the reader with the massive extent to which the women of the Blackwood family centred on food. In tying the value of food with the role of women, Jackson expresses the fundamental restriction of the women of the Blackwood family’s power and value when the male characters in the novel impose on their restrictions. This is displayed when Merricat is described as “a great child of twelve, sent to bed without her supper.” In portraying the oppressive nature of the male characters, in ironically inhibiting their access to their own creations, Jackson illustrates how patriarchal society inhibits the well-functioning of the members of a nuclear family. Therefore, when Merricat poisons the family through their meal, food becomes a symbol of female power and of liberation from the oppression of the patriarchal power dynamics of families in the 19th Century. While through morally unsound methods, Merricat harnesses food as an instrument to champion her rights and win her autonomy within the remaining household. Thus, it is a result of patriarchal dominance in the family that is the cause of the first disaster in the novel.

The second disaster – the burning and looting of the Blackwood estate – serves as another symbolic act of rebellion against the patriarchal forces and societal pressures that confine and marginalise the Blackwood family. Pivotal to this is the character of Charles, who, as a cousin to Merricat, comes back as a “ghost” to ‘haunt’ her of the patriarchal and patrilineal nature of her previous family dynamic. He is seen to be a shadow of John Blackwood, who “used to record the names of people who owed him money.” As Charles seeking the family wealth and estate by marrying Constance, these two male characters are reflections of each other through the theme of greed. In bringing this family member, the equilibrium of Merricat, Constance and Uncle Julian is thrown into disarray, in which Jackson highlights the ramifications of the social expectation of wealth as a male prerogative. The fundamental concepts of the family unit such as marriage are called into question, as Charles’ attempt to lure Constance into a relationship signifies the abuse of the patrilineal and patriarchal nature of families in the pursuit of money. As a result, the burning of the Blackwood estate serves as a instrumental tragedy in which fire can be interpreted as a ‘cleansing’ element which destroys the impurities and injustices that plague the Merricat and the family. Similar to the death of her family, the destruction of the house signifies a rebellion against all the traditional roles and expectations imposed upon them by not only their family but from society, standing as a cathartic release from the burden of the past. The “six blue marbles” that Merricat had used to protect the house “had no connection with the house we lived now,” indicating the new life that the fire has afforded them. Therefore, Jackson expresses the fact that oppressive patriarchal figures within the extended family can result in – given enough pressure – disastrous acts of rebellion.

While the inhibiting influence of male figures in the Blackwood family contribute significantly to the disasters in the novel, the impact of the isolation of the family is crucial to not only the deterioration of Merricat’s mental state but of the village’s increasing tension and animosity. Jackson commences the novel by portraying the dire consequences of the death of her family, through the narration of Merricat who reflects casually that she “likes [her] sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and … Everyone else in [her] family is dead.” In opening with Merricat’s scattered thoughts in a journal-entry style, Jackson insinuates that the death of her parents are the cause for her eccentric mind, exacerbated by the pressures and tension from society. This stark antagonism is seen in Merricat’s fears of the villagers, who may “touch [her] and the mothers come at [her] like a flock of taloned hawks.” The ostracization of the family from the town results in the Blackwood family becoming a repository for the villager’s animosity and woes, exemplified through the menacing simile. Their position in the village becomes entrenched into one of antagonism as the murder of the family has no clear conclusion, leading to gossip and growing contentions. In expressing the oppression of societal conformity and of the deteriorating mental and physical state of the Blackwood sisters, Jackson highlights not only the gothic mood and themes of rebellion but the antagonism that arises from social segregation. Therefore, the woes of the novel lie not only within the Blackwood family’s gender power dynamic but in their social and physical isolation from society.

In conclusion, WHALITC examines the intricate web of family dynamics and the profound influence that it has on the lives of the Blackwood sisters. The novel presents the dire consequences of strained family relationships as a result of domineering male figures, exacerbated by their extensive isolation from society. Jackson therefore demonstrates the express need for family units to be resilient and respectful of all members’ voices and maintaining amicable relationships internally and externally.

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Summary and Study Guide

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a contemporary gothic novella written by Shirley Jackson. It was first published in 1962. It is narrated by Mary Katherine Blackwood, known to her family as Merricat, and tells the story of the misfortune that befalls the secretive Blackwood family when the outside world encroaches and Merricat’s peculiar values are put to the test. In this story, Jackson underscores themes of rebellion versus conformity in a world of class, murder, cooking, and even a dash of witchcraft. This summary refers to the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, published in 2006.

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Blackwood Manor is a large family estate that houses a peculiar trio: 18-year-old Mary Katherine “Merricat” Blackwood , the protagonist; her older sister Constance; and Uncle Julian. The other Blackwoods were murdered after ingesting arsenic-laced sugar. Constance takes care of Merricat and Uncle Julian, who survived the poisoning but uses a wheelchair ever since. Uncle Julian, who is obsessed with the murders at Blackwood manor, relitigates them at every turn while getting no closer to an answer. What he knows is that the poisoning itself happened six years earlier while the family was having dessert. The sugar was poisoned with arsenic, and it was used to sweeten the blackberries for dessert. Constance doesn’t take sugar, so she didn’t eat any while Merricat had been sent to her room early without supper as punishment. The rest of the family, however, consumed the dessert. Merricat’s parents John and Ellen, her aunt Dorothy (Julian’s wife), and her younger brother Thomas died. Constance was accused of committing the murders. Though tried, she was eventually acquitted.

The story is told from Merricat’s point of view , and she describes a weekly schedule of unerring regularity. Constance now has agoraphobia and obsessively cooks and pickles foods from the family’s garden. Uncle Julian uses a wheelchair, so neither he nor Constance leave the family’s property. Merricat secures the essentials for their survival by walking into town every week for supplies and library books. Though Constance was acquitted, the townspeople still strongly believe she’s guilty, and there’s palpable dislike for the Blackwoods. Merricat is often taunted ruthlessly when she journeys to town, both by children who sing a crude nursery rhyme about her and by the gossiping adults. The Blackwoods only connection to the surrounding village is through regular visits from Helen Clarke and the town’s doctor, who regularly assesses Julian’s health. Merricat buries items all over the Blackwood estate to protect the property from townspeople and bad spirits. Her thoughts often turn to murder and mayhem, especially when her rigid schedule is undermined. She is often shocked and disturbed when Constance suggests a change in the usual routine or curiosity about the outside world.

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Soon, their cousin Charles Blackwood arrives, undermining Merricat’s rigid schedule. Now that Charles’s father (Julian’s brother) has died, lifting the extended family’s stonewalling of Merricat and her sister, Charles is free to do as he pleases. He claims he has arrived on a charitable mission to help the Blackwoods. Constance welcomes Charles and the change he brings. However, Uncle Julian is befuddled by Charles’s presence, and Merricat perceives him as a purely malevolent presence, a “ghost” haunting Blackwood Manor. As she creates various passive charms and spells to get Charles out of the house, Charles begins to assess the monetary value of every little trinket in the house and keeps asking about the locked safe and the rumored fortune held within. The conflict escalates between Merricat and Charles, and Charles finally makes the fatal error of suggesting to Merricat that she will be sent to bed without her dinner. Soon after, Charles’s pipe starts a fire in a wastepaper basket that burns the top floor of the house down. The firefighters arrive, as do many of the villagers. The strangers form into a mindless and unaccountable mob, and after the fire has been put out, the mob begins throwing rocks at the windows of Blackwood manor. They rush the house, breaking furniture and dishes, their actions fueled by years of pent-up frustration and fear of the Blackwoods.

During the destruction, Uncle Julian dies of a heart attack while both Constance and Merricat hide in the woods until the destruction is over. Charles, ever greedy, attempts unsuccessfully to carry away the safe but eventually disappears. While hiding, Constance admits she has known all along that Merricat is the murderer. Merricat admits to the crime and says she placed the arsenic in the sugar bowl because she knew Constance wouldn’t eat any. After the mob leaves, Merricat and Constance move into the ruins of their home. They clean the kitchen and seal off the rest of the house, salvaging what they can from the debris. Additionally, they end up wearing Uncle Julian’s old clothing and no longer go into town for anything. The pair live quietly in the house, making do with what they have. Constance previously stored a large supply of canned goods in the cellar, so they have food. Moreover, the townspeople eventually feel guilty for their actions, so they journey to the manor, which is now covered with ivy, to make amends. At night they leave food on the porch in baskets along with apology letters. Though the townspeople feel guilty, they’re also afraid of the girls now more than ever. Constance and Merricat use this fear to their advantage, living a life of isolation that Merricat calls “happy.”

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An Ultimate Guide to We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Instead of focusing on paranormality, Jackson conveys a “vast intimacy with everyday evil, with the pathological undertones of prosaic human configurations: a village, a family, a self”. The novella disinterred the wickedness in normality, cataloguing the ways in which repression tips into psychosis, persecution, and paranoia, into cruelty and its masochistic, injury-cherishing twin.

Set in a secluded town, the novel chronicles the lives of the Blackwood sisters, Merricat and Constance, who are both outcasts in their community. Despite the antagonism they face from the townspeople, the sisters are able to find comfort in each other and in their ancestral home, where they live in relative seclusion.

Through the character of Merricat, Jackson examines the psychological impacts of isolation and persecution. Merricat is an eccentric and paranoid young woman who has been ostracized by the townspeople, who view her as a witch. Due to her isolation, Merricat's mental state begins to deteriorate, leading to an increase in her paranoia and delusions. Despite this, she remains fiercely protective of her sister and their home, and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep them safe from the outside world.

Jackson's incorporation of Gothic elements, such as the eerie and dilapidated Blackwood estate and the supernatural beliefs of the townspeople, adds to the novel's atmosphere of unease and isolation. The novel also explores the consequences of societal persecution, as the townspeople's mistreatment of the Blackwood sisters ultimately leads to tragedy.

Genre and Narrative Conventions

Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a work of gothic fiction, known for its eerie and uncanny atmosphere. The novel explores themes of isolation and madness through the eyes of the protagonist, Merricat Blackwood, who is haunted by the double of her dead father. The Blackwood family's remote, crumbling house serves as a symbol of their own decay and isolation, adding to the novel's gothic mood. Jackson also uses elements of the supernatural, such as the mention of Merricat's ability to "put things right" with her mind, and the use of symbols, such as the black cat, to depict the relationship between the natural and the unnatural.

The risk of nature’s revolting is challenged through the construction of Merricat as the embodiment of sympathetic magic — naturalising the unnatural. Particularly, she confronts nature’s anger through raw and natural elements: soil and leaves being scattered, fire being lit up. Jackson thus marries magic — characteristically an evil and unnatural power, with prehuman elements, so as to avoid readily vilifying Merricat. The fire aforementioned symbolically incinerates the female stronghold and feminine power, preventing it from being invaded.

The distinction between reality and fantasy is also blurred, which only adds to the sense of unease. The house symbolises both the physical and mental isolation of the Blackwood sisters, and the way in which they have cut themselves off from the outside world. By characterising Merricat as the antithesis of her sister, Jackson also highlights the themes of repression and rebellion, which are central to the Gothic genre.

Constance Blackwood is characterised as hypersensitive and afraid, whereas Merricat Blackwood, the fable’s first-person narrator, is attuned to “nature, to the rhythm of the season, and to death”. As the culprit in the unresolved crime that takes centrality in the narrative, she challenges patriarchal institution and the law of proprietorship, acting as the antithesis of a docile, domestic woman. Merricat’s ingenuous and defiant voice helps foreground the disintegration permeating the story. 

Isolation and Persecution

  The novel's isolated setting and its exploration of the psychological effects of isolation and persecution on the main character, Merricat, highlight the ostracisation of those who exhibit ‘otherness’. The protagonist and her sister Constance, who is afflicted by an anxiety disorder, are strongly attached, and their isolation is a defence mechanism against the social norms and rules propagated by their community.

 The tragic consequences of the townspeople's treatment of the Blackwood sisters further underscore the theme of the dangers of societal persecution. The novel suggests that isolation can lead to madness and self-destruction, as the Blackwood sisters are unable to cope with their isolation and gradually become more and more isolated from each other and from reality.

 Female self-sufficiency, Jackson suggests, specifically women's forceful establishment of power over their own lives, threatens a society in which men hold primary power and leads inevitably to confrontation.

Supernatural, Magic and Witchcraft

In "We Have Always Lived in the Castle," magic and witchcraft are presented as a means of coping with and resisting the difficulties and isolation faced by the main characters. For Merricat, her practice of sympathetic magic can be seen as a way of trying to exert some control over her circumstances and to find a sense of agency in a world that often seems unfair and unpredictable. By engaging in magical practices, Merricat is empowered to create some sense of order and meaning in her life, and to connect with a world that is beyond the narrow-mindedness and judgment of the villagers. Magic and witchcraft characters’ resistance and subversion of the expectations and norms of their society.

Jackson also uses the supernatural to represent the otherness of characters. The ghost in Gothic literature often manifests as a phantasmic spectre of a “Madwoman in the Attic” (a term coined by Gilbert and Gubar and the title of their work), an outcasted woman. However, in Castle , this role is filled by  Charles – a masculine presence – who is always referred to by Merricat as a ghost. By replacing the madwoman with a male ghost, Jackson enables the preservation of female power and subverts the relationship between men and women.

Power and Masculinity

The novel provides a critique of the causes and consequences of female victimisation and alienation (which have been explored briefly in the previous section). Jackson subverts masculine authority from the outset of the novel, which has already suffered a defeat at the hands of the protagonist through her poisoning. This poisoning has resulted in a transfer of power from Blackwood men to Blackwood women. The victim, John Blackwood, is a patriarch who "took pride in his table, his family, his position in the world" (p. 47). His preservation of wealth and material possessions is represented through the narrator’s description of the ways "he used to record the names of people who owed him money, and people who ought, he thought, to do favors for him". Acts of altruisms are replaced by quid pro quo transactions; John views all loans as financial investments and benefits the town’s scarcity of resources. Jackson establishes John as the archetypal patriarch and proprietor that dominates society.

 Julian, John’s brother, is characterised as the antithesis of John, dependent on his brother's charity and subject to his authority. He is emasculated by the lack of authority and the failure to accumulate private wealth. In a society that defines wealth as a male prerogative, Julian is outcasted, rendered both legally and symbolically powerless. His invalid state confirms that financial failure for men leads to powerlessness, dependency, emasculation. However, whilst his emasculation ensures the empowerment of Constance and Merricat, his insistent denial of Merricat’s existence is a reminder of her invisibility to the Blackwood men

Womanhood and Domesticity

Jackson uses Gothic tropes to marry the sanitised domestic space with psychological entrapment and horrors. Merricat and Constance “have always lived” in the castle, suggesting a sort of entrapment within the space. After her opening describing her character, Merricat remarks on the day to day life inside the structure with Constance and her family:

We always put things back where they belonged. We dusted and swept under tables and chairs and beds and pictures and rugs and lamps, but we left them where they were… Blackwoods had always lived in our house, and kept their things in order… and so our house was built up with layers of Blackwood property weighting it, and keeping it steady against the world (Jackson 421)

In this passage, the collective “we” is inescapable. The narrative reads almost like a cleaning manual, dusting and sweeping various locations. Jackson’s use of domestic imagery alludes to the duties of female members in the Blackwood family – constantly working to maintain the order of the household and its façade, but lacking power and involvement.

 This depiction of domesticity is juxtaposed against Merricat’s rebellion, which culminates in her subversion of the Blackwood patriarchy. By establishing Constance as the head of the family through the murder, she replaces masculine power with feminine power. Constance and Merricat are contrasted in Jackson’s initial depiction, where Constance represents the domestic and traditional, and Merricat represents the creative and unrestrained. This depiction, however, is challenged through Jackson’s deconstruction of the domestic. Domestic tasks are portrayed as creative tasks instead of mundane, repetitive routinely chores. Constance, despite being relegated to the domestic sphere, discerns creativity. Similarly, Merricat’s rebellion is paired with self-imposed rules and insistence on routine, which helps Jackson further eradicate binary oppositions and rigid characterisations.

Idea to Explore:

The annihilating fire that transforms the Blackwood mansion into ““a castle, turreted and open to the sky”. Guiding notes:

Despite that the castle image is Gothicised, the structure is still filled with domestic bliss.

The fire exacerbates their isolation from the world and entrapment; they are more so contained in their home’s blackened walls.

However, the two are not bothered. Merricat remarks, “We were going to be very happy”

Their “great many things to do” become commonplace domestic tasks such as cleaning fragments of the former home, and barricading  themselves—literally and figuratively—against the outside world.  

Class and Wealth

In Shirley Jackson's "We Have Always Lived in the Castle," the theme of class and wealth is evident in the hierarchy and distinction between the wealthy, aristocratic Blackwood family and the poorer, working-class townspeople. The Blackwood family's history of wealth and privilege is portrayed through their large, grandiose mansion and their pride in their family's legacy and proprietorship of the town. This distinction is further emphasized by the antagonism between the Blackwoods and the townspeople, represented through representations of the Blackwood’s proprietorship and snobbery towards others, resulting in persecution and isolation. The family is conscious of their snobbery towards the village, and simultaneously conscious of the role persecution plays in confirming their elevated self-image. The forewords of the novella refer to this double confession of culpability, a typical feature in Jackson’s texts. She propounds that, to revel in injury is a form of exultation, and to suffer exile from conformist groups, is not an implicit moral victory, but a form of bohemian one-upmanship.  

Merricat is aware of such animosity:

“The people of the village disliked the fact that we always had plenty of money to pay for whatever we wanted; we had taken our money out of the bank, of course, and I knew they talked about the money hidden in our house, as though it were great heaps of golden coins and Constance and Uncle Julian and I sat in the evenings, our library books forgotten, and played with it, running our hands through it and counting and stacking and tumbling it, jeering and mocking behind locked doors.”

The reference to “money hidden in [their] house” and the archaic equivocation to “great heaps of golden coins” allude to the economic disparity between the people and the Blackwoods, which results in class antagonism. Private property is a falsifier of economic relations, and the mansion symbolises the family’s ability to accrue wealth. The perceived prestige attached with the Blackwood family’s ownership of property and wealth creates divisions within society and fuels conflict.

Authorial Intent: What is it saying?

A Brooding Examination of Persecution and Paranoia  

Jackson's narrative is heavily steeped in the motif of small-town New England persecution. Yet, she cleverly repackages this persecution, transforming it from a broad social critique to a deeply personal fable. Central to this narrative is the character development of the Blackwood sisters. Constance is depicted as hypersensitive and fearful, while her younger sister Merricat, the novella's first-person narrator, maintains a close bond with nature, the changing seasons, and the concept of death.  

Merricat, implicated in a central unresolved crime, dares to defy patriarchal institutions and the law of proprietorship. She symbolizes the antithesis of the docile, domestic woman, her defiant and innocent voice echoing the thematic disintegration that permeates the narrative. This voice serves as a stark contrast to Constance's fear, demonstrating the psychological complexities and contradictions within the two main characters.

Sympathetic Magic: Marrying the Natural and Unnatural  

Jackson's narrative also delves into the relationship between the natural and the unnatural, drawing heavily on Gothic tropes. Merricat, portrayed as the embodiment of sympathetic magic, challenges the risk of nature's rebellion, thereby naturalizing the unnatural. She confronts nature's fury with raw, elemental forces: the scattering of soil and leaves, the ignition of fire. By aligning magic—an inherently unnatural power—with prehuman elements, Jackson effectively prevents the reader from outright vilification of Merricat.

The symbolism of fire is particularly poignant in this context. It serves as a metaphorical barrier, safeguarding the female stronghold and feminine power from potential intrusion. This underscores Merricat's unconventional strength and her defiance of traditional gender roles.

Unveiling Class Antagonism: The Blackwoods and Their Pride  

Class antagonism is another critical theme that Jackson explores in the novella. The Blackwoods' proprietary attitudes and their disdain for others lead to their persecution and isolation. The family is painfully aware of their snobbery towards the village, recognizing that this persecution only serves to cement their elevated self-image. Jackson argues that this reveling in injury is a form of exultation, suggesting that suffering exile from conformist groups is not just a moral victory but also a form of bohemian oneupmanship.

In-Depth Analysis of the First Chapter

The first chapter of the novella sets the stage for the drama that unfolds. Here, Merricat Blackwood is introduced as an 18-year-old living with her sister, Constance. Right from the outset, Jackson establishes the role of sisterhood in replacing heterosexual romance and patriarchal structures. Merricat's narrative provides an intriguing the juxtaposition of innocence and evil, reflecting her ideological escape from reality through magic. She imagines being “born a werewolf”, emphasising her existence as the foreign ‘other’, and the description of her “the two middle fingers on both [her] hands [being] of the same length”, representing physical abnormality, further highlights her otherness.   

The Blackwood family is portrayed as stagnant and dull, “never much of a family for restlessness and stirring”. The stagnated state of the family parallels the inanimacy of objects, “the books and the flowers and the spoons”. Framed using a polysyndeton, with the conjunction “and” being repeated, Jackson’s description of the family’s possessions connotes excess and abundance. The family takes care to preserve their material possessions, which are “dusted and swept under the tables and chairs and beds and pictures and rugs and lamps”, but “left them where they were”. The lack of utility of these furnitures renders them mere signifiers of wealth, or falsifiers of economic relations. Their wealth is preserved and transferred through patriarchal lineage, and marriages help the family accumulate further wealth and economic capital. Marital relations, and by extension, the Blackwood wives, are commodified in Merricat’s narration, with their identity being attached to their “belongings”, which help build up with “layers of Blackwood property”. 

The wealth of the Blackwoods are preserved and transferred through patriarchal lineage, with marriages serving as a means to accumulate further economic capital. The commodification of the Blackwood wives is evident in Merricat's narrative, where their identities are reduced to their "belongings," which contribute to the "layers of Blackwood property."

The gendered description of “the men [staying] young and [doing] the gossiping and the women aged with grey evil weariness” establishes the chasm between the lives of men and women. The passivity of the women standing “silently waiting for the men to get up and come home” demonstrates the drudgery and monotony of domestic lives. Women are disempowered by the laws, which act as patriarchal institutions that deprive them of proprietary rights. Merricat expresses her admiration towards The Rochester house, “the loveliest in the town”, which “by rights it should have belonged to Constance”. Their mother, despite being “born there”, lacks proprietary rights and is unable to transfer ownership to Constance. The binary language in Merricat’s narration — “disliked” and “liked”, establishes a childlike sense of injustice.

The theme of entrapment, a staple of Gothic literature, is evident in the depiction of Constance and Uncle Julian. Constance's inability to venture “past her own garden” is juxtaposed with Uncle Julian's physical immobility. In postmodern literature, the “garden” symbolises liminality — the in-between space between the confines of the domestic space and the public sphere. We may infer that Constance desires access to the outside world but fears the hostility of the townspeople. Merricat, on the other hand, is empowered by “the simple need for books and food”, representations of her needs, both spiritual and physical.

Similar to The Lottery, Castle also uses a cliched description of “the sun … shining” in a “fine April morning” to unveil the co-existence of good and evil. The “false glorious promises of spring … showing oddly through the village grime” create foreboding malevolence; Jackson eradicates binary oppositions by marrying natural imagery with references to beauty’s falsity.

Thematic ideas explained:

Evil in Normality: Jackson unravels the sinister aspects hidden within everyday life, focusing on the progression from repression to psychosis, persecution, paranoia, cruelty, and masochism.   Persecution and Paranoia: The narrative underlines the motif of small-town persecution, illustrating how societal persecution can tip over into personal paranoia. Defiance of Patriarchy: Through the character of Merricat, Jackson challenges patriarchal institutions and the traditional image of the docile, domestic woman.

Sympathetic Magic and the Natural vs. Unnatural: Jackson illustrates he relationship between the natural and the unnatural, with Merricat representing sympathetic magic, which naturalizes the unnatural.

Class Antagonism: The theme of class antagonism is represented through the Blackwood family's snobbery, leading to their isolation and persecution.   Gothic Tropes and Entrapment: Jackson's use of Gothic tropes, such as physical and psychological entrapment, is highlighted through the characters of Constance and Uncle Julian.

Coexistence of Good and Evil: The narrative explores the coexistence of good and evil, often revealed through seemingly ordinary circumstances.  

Key Symbolism

 Shirley Jackson's Gothic novel 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' features an array of symbols that reflect the genre's traditional themes of isolation, decay, and psychological turmoil. A strong understanding of Gothic tropes will enable a deeper understanding of how Jackson represents the invisible forces that shape the experience of her female characters. The conventions of female Gothic writing are deployed to interrogate the position of women within family structures as claustrophobic, oppressive and combative. The novel has been referred to as a Radcliffean Gothic (named after Ann Radcliffe, one of the earliest Gothic writers), particularly in its use of vulnerable heroine and malevolent Gothic spaces.  

The symbols used in the novel include ubiquitous Gothic motifs such as the decaying mansion, reclusive characters, and ominous natural elements. This section will explore a few elements that may be missed by many VCE students in their studies of this new addition to the text list.  

About the Genre: What is Gothic Literature?

Gothic literature is a genre of fiction that originated in England during the latter half of the 18th century but has transformed over the centuries. The genre has evolved from Romantic-era Gothic, characterized by supernatural elements, to the more psychological Gothic of the 20th and 21st centuries. Despite its evolution, Gothic literature typically involves eerie and mysterious scenarios that evoke sensations of fear, dread and suspense in the reader. While Gothic literature can vary in content and style, it is unified by a general preoccupation with death, darkness, hauntings, and entrapment.

Features of different sub-genres of Gothic Literature can be seen in various parts of Jackson's novel: for instance, supernatural elements such as omens, reminding us of the Romantic era, and the Uncanny - referring to the similarities between Charles and John, reminiscent of the psychological Gothic. Also, the text replaces monstrosity, visceral horror, and violence with psychological terror, paranoia, and psychosis, which is a common Postmodern Gothic feature.

Evocation of the Supernatural

One of the prominent features of Gothic literature is its evocation of the supernatural, and Shirley Jackson's "We Have Always Lived in the Castle". References to hidden secrets, curses and spells in the novel allude to the supernatural. However, unlike so many gothic writers, Jackson’s version of the supernatural represents a preferable alternative to life for her characters. Sympathetic magic - imaginative power - empowers Merricat, and allows her to escape the constraints to patriarchal power. The supernatural "life on the moon" represents an alternative economy to the exploitative and oppressive capitalist system of their town. The sisters eschew modernity and choose instead to reside in a dilapidated castle, which smells of "smoke and ruins", 'turrets and open to the sky". The upper level is unsuitable for habitation, thereby limiting their living space to the kitchen and living area. They opt for familiarity with their former dwelling and lifestyle over the formidable challenge of reintegrating into society, forging a novel sense of tranquillity within their private realm.

Even the novel’s setting and atmosphere are subjected to the will of the characters. No rogue spirits or hostile creatures haunt the woods surrounding the Blackwood mansion – only Merricat, who roams them as comfortably as if they are her bedroom. She sleeps on a bed of leaves beneath the tree and walks without fear because she has power and agency in this world. If anything haunts the grounds of her family property, it is her. She is the haunting. 

The environment and ambience portrayed in the novel are intricately tied to the actions of its characters. While no malevolent entities or otherworldly beings lurk amidst the foliage enveloping Blackwood manor, Merricat herself roams freely as if it were her sanctuary. Fearlessly wandering through the woods and taking up residence beneath a verdant canopy, she exerts control over her surroundings with ease. Indeed, if there is any presence that might be considered eerie on this familial estate, it is none other than Merricat - for she embodies an ethereal essence all her own that permeates every inch of space around her.

Murder and Madness

Evil seems to be domesticated and interiorised as madness in the novel, with most of its horror emanating from within Merricat's mind. Jackson's evocation of seemingly disturbed psychological states and association of these states with acts of violence is representative of her critique of societal norms and morality. A history of trauma and abuse is implied through the sisters' frequent references to the poisoning incident and their eventual isolation from society. Merricat's homicidal thoughts and anxieties are presented as an understandable response to the trauma and abuse she has endured, rather than a manifestation of inherent evil.

   “Their tongues will burn, I thought, as though they had eaten fire. Their throats will burn when the words come out, and in their bellies they will feel a torment hotter than a thousand fires.”  

The novel portrays evil not as an external entity but rather as a domesticated and internalised form of madness that is prominently displayed in Merricat’s antagonistic relationship with the townspeople.

However, to subvert the male-centred narrative that associates these states with innate female 'hysteria', Jackson also focuses on the hallucinations and mental instability of Uncle Julian. The psychologisation of terror is herein revealed through the ambivalent psychological dimension that destabilises Julian's perception of reality.

Adolescence and Trauma

Traumatised adolescence and its location within dysfunctional family units are implicitly explored through Jackson's Castle, enabling an examination of Merricat and Constance's experiences. As an 18-year-old girl, Merricat has endured a significant amount of emotional and psychological trauma, which has ostensibly shaped her hostility towards the villagers.

There are no explicit references to her transition from childhood to maturity, yet the novel's folklore elements invite reading through a lens of initiation, where Merricat's withdrawal into ritualistic behaviours and her obsession with magical practices serve as coping mechanisms to such transition.

   “It’s spring, you’re young, you’re lovely, you have a right to be happy. Come back into the world.”  

   “I could not breathe; I was tied with wire, and my head was huge and going to explode; I ran to the back door and opened it to breathe. I wanted to run; if I could have run to the end of our land and back I would have been all right, but Constance was alone with them in the drawing room and I had to hurry back.”  

Through Merricat's traumatic adolescence, Jackson highlights the impact of family dysfunction on mental health and development. Her fear of Constance leaving (e.g., panicking as Helen Clarke invites Constance out) and controlling personality are symbolised by the regimented routine of her weekly grocery outings, whereby she fulfils her role to ensure their self-sufficiency without a paternal presence.

Unreliable Narration

Gothic fiction, including Shirley Jackson's writing, frequently employs the use of an unreliable narrator as a tool for projecting the protagonist's emotional instability. This instability is often linked to Gothic themes of persecution and punishment and can manifest in forms bordering on madness or paranoia. In "We Have Always Lived in the Castle," Merricat vacillates between her internal reality - where she imagines taking revenge against those who have wronged her family - and presenting a veneer of normalcy during external interactions with others.

   “I never turned; it was enough to feel them all there in back of me without looking into their flat grey faces with the hating eyes. I wish you were all dead, I thought, and longed to say it out loud. Constance said, “Never let them see that you care,” and “If you pay any attention they’ll only get worse,” and probably it was true, but I wished they were dead.”  

The portrayal of Merricat serves as an incisive commentary on gender roles that restrict women's power within society since her isolation stems from these constraints imposed upon her.

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Shirley jackson, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

The narrator, Mary Katherine Blackwood (known as Merricat) introduces herself and reveals that all of her relatives are dead, except for her sister Constance . She then begins her story some time earlier, on the day she brought home the library books that still sit on her shelf, long overdue.

It’s Merricat’s job to go into town for groceries, but she doesn’t like having to face the villagers, who are hostile towards her. The Blackwoods’ land is closed off from the outside world with a fence, and the villagers have always hated the Blackwood family. Merricat hates the villagers in return and often wishes them dead. When she enters the grocery store, everyone goes silent until the owners have helped her and she leaves.

On her way home, Merricat goes into Stella ’s café to show that she isn’t afraid. Jim Donell follows her inside to pester her, insisting he’s heard that she and her sister are moving away, which Merricat denies. Joe Dunham comes in, too, and Merricat has to endure their sly insults until Stella tells her to go home. On the way home, the Harris boys chant a rhyme at her about Constance poisoning her with a cup of tea.

Merricat returns home, where Constance welcomes her and begins making lunch while their Uncle Julian looks over his papers, which detail the death of the rest of the family six years earlier. Then they prepare for tea, as an old family friend named Helen Clarke is coming to visit. It becomes clear the Constance isn’t used to interacting with people other than Merricat and Uncle Julian.

When Helen Clarke arrives, Merricat greets her and finds that she’s brought her friend Mrs. Wright . Over tea, Helen Clarke urges Constance to reenter the world, and Constance’s openness to this idea worries Merricat, so she smashes a pitcher in the kitchen.

Uncle Julian comes into the drawing room and begins to discuss the night that the rest of the family was poisoned with arsenic at their dinner. Julian himself also ate the arsenic, but in a small enough quantity that he survived, though it has affected his memory. Mrs. Wright can’t help showing her fascination with this topic, despite Helen Clarke’s disapproval. Julian details the reasons why Constance might have been guilty or might have been innocent. She was tried for murder but acquitted. Constance and Merricat enjoy his performance, and eventually Helen Clarke forces Mrs. Wright out the door.

The next day, Merricat senses that a change is coming in their lives, so she chooses three magic words that will prevent it coming until the words are said aloud. Uncle Julian’s health seems bad that day, and after Dr. Levy comes to examine him, the sisters and Uncle Julian sit in the garden and talk about the day of the poisoning. Uncle Julian reveals that he and his wife felt that the sisters’ father resented the financial burden of their presence in the household.

On Sunday, Merricat and her cat, Jonas , wander the property. Merricat checks on various items that she has buried as magical protection for the house. She finds that a book she nailed to a tree has fallen, and she takes it as a terrible omen. After lunch, Merricat sees a man coming up the steps of the house. She thinks he’s one of the many people who come to try to gawk at Constance and take souvenirs from the house because they’ve heard about the poisoning. However, Constance lets the man into the kitchen and introduces him as their cousin, Charles Blackwood . Merricat is upset that she has let him in, so she spends the night in her hiding place by the creek with Jonas.

The next morning, Merricat returns to the house. Though she says that Charles was a ghost, Constance insists that he spent the night in their father’s bed, which is proved when Charles comes downstairs and meets Uncle Julian. He tries to make friends with Merricat, but she refuses to speak to him. Uncle Julian wants to write about Charles’s perspective on the trial, but Charles doesn’t want to talk about it.

While Merricat and Constance clean the house, Charles tries to get closer to Merricat through Jonas, and Merricat plots how to get rid of Charles. She eats dinner with the family because Constance wants her to. At dinner, Charles offers to take over the job of getting groceries in town, and Constance is grateful to him.

The next day when Charles goes into town, Merricat takes her father’s gold watch chain out of Charles’s room and nails it to a tree. When Charles finds it, he’s enraged that she would damage something so valuable. He threatens Merricat while Constance is out of the room.

Under Charles’s influence, Constance begins to think that she has done wrong by keeping the family isolated from the world. Merricat asks Charles to leave, but he refuses, so she breaks the mirror in his room. Uncle Julian has also begun to mistrust Charles, and he hides his papers in a box.

On Thursday, while Charles tries to fix the back step, Merricat tries to wipe out Charles’s mark on the house. She breaks her father’s watch, which Charles has claimed, and fills his room with wood and dirt. Meanwhile, Charles digs up the silver dollars she’s buried in the woods. She cleans out her shelter by the stream to get rid of his influence, and when she returns home, Charles is furious about the state of his room. He wants to punish her and is exasperated by Uncle Julian’s delusions—it becomes clear that Julian believes Merricat died during Constance’s trial. Eventually Merricat runs away and goes to the deserted summerhouse, where she imagines her dead family showering her with words of praise and indulgence.

When Merricat returns to the house, Constance, Charles, and Uncle Julian are eating dinner. Merricat goes upstairs and tips Charles’s burning pipe into the trash can, then joins them at the dinner table. Before long, Charles smells smoke and discovers that his room is on fire. He runs for help while Uncle Julian goes to collect his papers. Merricat and Constance shelter on the porch, hidden behind some vines. Firemen arrive along with a crowd of villagers, who would like to see the house burn down. Charles is most concerned about getting the safe out. Once the fire is out, Jim Donell, the chief fireman, throws a rock through the drawing room window, spurring the villagers to storm the house and begin destroying it from inside.

Merricat and Constance try to run to the woods, but the villagers surround them, taunting them. They only stop when Dr. Levy and Jim Clarke announce that Uncle Julian is dead. Merricat takes Constance to her shelter by the stream, where they acknowledge for the first time that Merricat poisoned their family.

When Merricat wakes up the next morning, she knows that everything will be different from now on. She and Constance discover that only the ground floor of their house is left. The kitchen is littered with broken china, glass, and furniture, but Constance manages to make breakfast anyway. When they eventually get up the courage to look at the rest of the house, they find that the drawing room and the dining room are both a mess. Merricat shutters these rooms and they close the doors forever. They clean the kitchen and the front hall, and lock the front door.

Before long, Helen and Jim Clarke turn up at the door, calling for the sisters and claiming that they want to help. Merricat and Constance hide, and eventually the Clarkes leave. Merricat covers the kitchen windows with cardboard so no one can see in. Later, Jim Clarke returns with Dr. Levy, who wants to make sure they’re not hurt. Merricat and Constance sit at the table behind the covered windows until the men leave. Constance apologizes for the night before when she reminded Merricat why their family died and she promises she’ll never bring it up again.

Over time, the sisters create a new pattern for their life. Merricat always makes sure the front door is locked, and she barricades the sides of the house with junk to prevent people from getting into the garden. People use the path through their front yard now, and sometimes children play on the lawn. Constance wears Uncle Julian’s old clothes, and Merricat wears tablecloths. They plant a rosebush on the spot where Uncle Julian used to sit in the garden.

The villagers begin to leave food on the porch in the evenings with notes apologizing for various items they broke the night of the fire. Merricat never strays past the garden anymore, and she and Constance often sit at the front door and watch the people outside. One day, Charles arrives with another man, who says he’ll pay Charles for a picture of him with one of the sisters if he can get them to come out. Charles begs Constance to let him in, but she doesn’t. The moment he leaves they both laugh uproariously at his foolishness.

The people who walk past the house always speculate about the sisters, and children are afraid of them. There’s a rumor that the sisters eat children, and Merricat and Constance joke about it. They feel they have little to fear anymore, and they are happy.

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We Have Always Lived In the Castle, Essay Example

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Introduction

Throughout the centuries, outsiders, pariahs, and misfits have been victimized for their wrongdoings, which has resulted in them becoming scapegoats for their community or families. These are usually individuals who have refused to conform to societal norms and have chosen unconventional lifestyles and beliefs to the disapproval of all around them. People have viewed these outsiders as an example of ‘misbehavior’ for defying social conventions but ironically have become new models for their communities in the process.

In this essay, I would like to analyze how Toni Morrison and Shirley Jackson use literary aspects such as allusions, symbolism, foreshadowing, tones, and epigraphs in their texts to show how an outsider strengthens the unified bond between community members.

Both the main characters Sula and Merricat, are scapegoats of their communities; all the ‘bad’ is projected onto them. Nevertheless, it is evident that these communities are better off with these outsiders as they served as a model for bad behavior. Thus, these protagonists played a pivotal role in creating a more unified bond within the community, which has banished them, as the more they adhered to their unique lifestyle, the more the community members would deliberately ensure that they do not resemble them in any way. Thus, the further they would detach themselves from what they perceived to be bad behavior through the lens of these two main characters, the more they would resolve their wrongful behavior which thus, created a more unified (yet homogenous) community.

Literary devices are the soul of a literal piece and give life to it. What devices to infuse or not are usually at the author’s discretion, and examples of these literary devices include; similes, metaphors, allusions, flashbacks, among many others. In this paper, we are going to place two books; “ Sula ” and “ We Have Always Lived in a Castle ,” under the lens, applying much scrutiny, whilst investigating the literary devices employed by the two authors of these great reads, as well as themes present, the books’ tones, genres, brief character analysis, setting of the stories and a lot more, in light of literal analysis.

Literary Aspects: “Sula” vs. “We Have Always Lived in a Castle”

Inked by celebrated American novelist Toni Morrison, the book “ Sula ” sets a perfect example of how literary elements are blended effortlessly into the book. On the other hand, “ We Have Always Lived in a Castle ,” authored by Shirley Jackson, provides a pedestal upon which most literal pieces in the 20 th century perceive to be the gold standards of writing. Both books tend to focus on stories of individuals who are labeled as rebels, outsiders, and pariahs in their communities. Their behaviors influence not only the community but also the champion for change. This is evident where the main actors Nel and Sula friendship survive the test of time. They are both misfits as they do not align themselves to the societal conventions as black women in the ’20th century. Another lot of misfits, according to Shirley Jackson’s book, are Merricat Blackwood and Constance, her sister, who gets isolated from the community and live outside the castle in solitude in their home. They get separated from society when they lost their family members after being poisoned by sugar in a breakfast cooked by Constance. Evidently, the protagonists in Morrison’s “Sula” include Hannah, Sula, and Nel, whereas in “ We Have Always Lived in a Castle ,” Charles gets portrayed as the chief antagonist, alongside the villagers, while Merricat comes across as the Protagonist. Both writers emphasize the roles of outsiders, pariahs, and misfits in community development. Given the negative records for development in communities, an outsider approaches issues before initiating development activities. However, an outsider can leave when faced with dilemmas in the communities where they live.

Form, Structure, and Style

First and foremost would be to decipher the narrator’s point of view. In the first book, “ Sula, ” the author has used a third-person narration approach. This effectively achieves omniscience while the reader is allowed to access the inner thoughts of each character. This proves to be extremely helpful since the readers are allowed to reserve judgment as the author judges them not either. For Shirley Jackson’s book, on the other hand, the story is given from a 1 st person perspective, with the person in question being Merricat, “Mary Katherine Blackwood.” Language enables authors to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in the novels. The language used in “ Sula ” by Morrison provides ample evidence through dialectics of identity about the anchorage, voyage, and ascent. The tone used in Morrison’s book is very straightforward, as she does not waste much precious time mincing words or using superfluous English; she prefers to adopt a simple and more direct approach. For “ We Have Always Lived in a Castle ,” the author uses a very frightening, at times sinister, and darkly humorous tone for the better part. Morrison also employs a lot of allusions, mostly biblical, like, for example, Eva in the book references Eve from the bible. There are also allusions to Shadrack, who is a biblical character known mostly for the incident where he walked through fire unscathed. Apart from this, Ham’s sons mirror the ideology that Africans are descended from Noah’s son, Ham. More to this, there is Jude, who draws similar traits to Judas, the disciple that famously betrayed Christ. There are also secondary sources where allusion applies as well, like the scriptures borrowing heavily from “ Chicken Little ” and the conspicuous epigraph linked to the play “ The Tattoo Rose ”; “Nobody knew my rose of the world but me […] I had too much glory. They don’t want glory like that in Nobody’s heart.” This epigraph is heavily linked with Sula’s facial birthmark, which many find that it looks like a rose. Morrison focuses on Hannah to reveal how outsiders, pariahs, and misfits act as scapegoats. The novel “ Sula ” by Morrison addresses how traditions affect social relationships. Morrison asserts that “Hannah’s companionships with ladies were, seldom and short-lived, eventually discovering what a hazard she was” (26). The language used by Morrison enabled the author to communicate the central ideas of the novel. For example, Hannah had brief affairs with men because she did not fancy the institution of marriage and practices that defined matrimony. Pariahs pursue various practices in an attempt to establish meaning and attain enjoyment. Through language, Morrison communicates events leading to Hannah’s reference as a pariah. A literary language is different from other linguistic approaches. The difference is brought out from the form of language employed in the novels by Morrison and Shirley. Through language, the authors communicate that misfits panic and are banished by adherents to communal practices when mutual objectives are disregarded due to individuals’ self-centered undertakings. For instance, Morrison asserts that failure to moderate irritability hindered Hannah from relating with community members. There is the light application of similes in” Sula, ” a simile which can provide evidence here is the softball of fur that was scattered will now create something new, a new change within Nel and maybe in the community as well. At that point, it shows that she felt different about Sula; she realized it was only with her that she was able to be more herself, more vulnerable. She realized Sula was not actually all bad as she had perceived her, so we see this ambivalence of good and bad and a hope for change.

Symbolism is heavily used by both authors in their books. In “ Sula,” for instance, birds are used to invoke the notion of flight. This evidently makes sense because Sula flees at a certain point in the book. Flowers are also used by the author intermittently to bring out certain points, such as Sula’s rose-shaped birthmark, which serves as the book’s epigraph. Apart from the above-stipulated examples, there is also the use of water, which was associated with demise in the book. For Nel and Sula, it represents Chicken’s drowning. Also, a townsperson is recorded as dying in the tunnel slides and hitting the ice. In “ We Have Always Lived in a Castle ,” foreshadowing is evident where the revelation that Merricat is the real killer/ poisoner by comparing her to a werewolf, a deadly creature.

The Role of An Outsider in Community Formation

Often, outsiders have different cultures, class, lifestyle and their geographical locations are diverse. An outsider visits and settles in a community due to the need to engage in development works. Outside figures embrace their actions by not shying away from partaking in practices that are frowned upon by others. The friends Sula and Nel are raised from very different and diverse backgrounds. The story is based majorly on the friendship of these two individuals. Nel has grown in a household that she finds pretty suffocating and orderly. This is because Nel’s mother, although not necessarily controlling and unloving, is described as someone who views everything systematically and believes in social norms and order. Nel’s mother also demands a lot of respect, is often very strict with her children, and follows all social conventions, which Nel finds disturbing.

On the other hand, Sula is from quite an unorthodox background. Her grandmother Eva is said to have cut her leg up to cut her family, and she also burnt her son to relieve herself of his childish habits of dependency. Sula’s mother is also labeled as a misfit in society as she tends to sleep with multiple men in the Bottom. Although the background of both Nel and Sula seem quite distinct and unique, they are quite close to each other. Their relationship seems to be one of equality and honesty. Sula and Nel tend to find peace in each other when at one time, they are stressed and dig a hole, and they buried the trash. This action was symbolic of them together trying to get rid of bad things in their lives.

In Shirley’s book, Mary Catherine goes out and does errands as her sister never gets out of the house; she goes out to the garden but not beyond the family estate. However, the community is not fond of her. The uncle relays the history of the family, but he does not have many visitors to give the story.

Mary Catherine loves the sister but seems very regretful of not being friendlier to the uncle, the uncle is called Julian. Apart from this, she hates the town’s people and loves the isolated life, and she wants to do this through magic. In addition to magic, she wants to kill people and shutter people away in order to keep her privacy. Mary Catherine cares too much about her older sisters, and Constance takes care of their family so much, she is sometimes tempted by other people to relate to the external environment outside the isolation. Constance creates an environment for both the sister and uncle. Isolation is distinct in that they are comfortable with this life and are not bothered by it, and they are happy about it. The town’s people have a mob mentality which initially in the study was suppressed until it had an opportunity to escape.

The community hates this family because six years prior, the family that lived in this house were poisoned, and the villagers thought that Constance killed the parents and the rest of the family. The Blackwoods are thought to be poor, yet the rest of the villagers seem quite poor. Mary is 18 but does not behave her age; the way that she behaves makes her sound 13 and feels as if she is a child, and this is likely the consequence after the tragic experience of the death. This death really lets them live in a bubble, and this makes them very stuck in constant stages and past time. They do not want to relate to the world and overcome their very past. They seem to be hunted by their past and their mistakes and also their isolation from other people. Everyone believes that Constance killed their family, as she was taken to court and questioned, but was acquitted innocent of the crime. Mary goes to the town twice a week to get vegetables, and the children taunt her with songs of the sister being a murderer; she constantly gets people staring at her. There are “no trespassing” signs everywhere, which make her feel extremely unwanted, and like an outsider.

Back to “ Sula,” the book has several misfits who act as scapegoats in society. Hannah, Sula’s mother, serves as a scapegoat for Sula when she comes back from college and decides to sleep around as her mother did in the past. The community also uses Shadrack as a scapegoat, as they take their dear lives with the influence of Shadrack, who acts as a leader. Shadrack was a bitter man. He is a man from war, and the fight both shook him and also messed him up. Sula also used her family background as a scapegoat for her actions. This is because her family was unsystematic, and they never did follow the social conventions of society. The grandmother burned his son because she was tired of his dependency on her as a parent, and she could not keep up with his childish behavior. Sula’s mother is also one who sleeps around and therefore does not provide a role model to her daughter. Sula is also blamed for the divorce of Nel since she slept with Nel’s husband. Sula is also blamed for the poor condition of living of the family as they had lost the family’s breadwinner. In the context of the book, it is keen to note that Nel was not a woman as empowered as women today and therefore may have faced difficulty looking for work in the Bottom as women and men did not get the same privileges. Sula is also responsible for the staleness in the friendship between her and Nel. This is caused by the infidelity between her and Sula’s husband. The impact of this infidelity was both financial and of friendship as they were not as close as they initially were, although they felt connected as friends. This is evident when Nel mourns for her friend when she dies.

Identity Reconciliation

The style used in Morrison’s novel enabled the author to convey information on how protagonists regain their identity. Morrison uses a third-person perspective throughout the novel. In the novel, Hannah reconciled her identity with that of the community by guiding Sula to observe decency. Although Hannah had revolted on the societal traditions, she regained identity through the family, which is the community’s basic unit. According to Morrison, “Nel, she remembered, always thrived on a crisis. The closed place in the water; Hannah’s funeral” (67). Hannah had endured challenging community aspects, which served as a lesson for Sula after the mother’s death. Hannah’s affirmation about love changed Sula’s perspective of the mother’s practices. Reconciliation with Sula enabled Hannah to reconcile her identity through the family. Thereby, third-person narrative enabled Morrison to tell a narration through characters not mentioned in the novel.

Morrison’s book takes the readers through a journey, from where Sula and Ne become friends, the blossoming of their relationship, to the point where Sula lies with Nel’s husband. After this point, the story takes on a spiral, breaking the relationship between the two girls, but more pertinent is Sula’s failure to comprehend why her affair with Nel’s husband, Jude was wrong. This was mainly because she perceived that the two ladies were free to share anything, even Jude. The climax is when Nel vents her anger on Sula, letting out all she had kept inside her, with there being a lot of tension as Sula attempts to explain the affair, although not satisfactorily. Eventually, Sula passes away, paving for the winding down of the story, “a falling away, a dislocation was taking place.” As much as scapegoating Sula brought people in the Bottom temporary relief, they now have to grapple with their numerous shortcomings. People start being less kind to one another and quit trying to better themselves.

In conclusion, literary elements such as language, structure, and style play an integral part in the text’s implication among readers. Shirley and Morrison apply these literary tools to help uncover the standout characteristics outsiders, pariahs, and misfits possess. These characteristics call for a great deal of attention from readers since these contribute towards society’s realization of its turning point towards advancements. Critical analyses of the two novels by Morrison and Shirley assisted in unearthing the mannerisms via which outsiders facilitate community development. Further, analysis has also helped ascertain that self-definition is detrimental for solitary individuals in order for them to reclaim their identity in society or family setups purposefully. With the help of analyzed texts, it is therefore evident that literary elements applied in both books; “ Sula” and “ We Have Always Lived in a Castle ,” have infinitely aided in the conveyance of the message that an outsider is integral, especially for establishing models for sorting out communal issues. Nevertheless, it is evident that these communities are better off with these outsiders as they served as a model for bad behavior.

Works Cited

Jackson, Shirley. We have always lived in the castle. Penguin UK, 2009.

Morrison, Toni. Sula. Sperling & Kupfer, 2012.

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Family in “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” by Shirley Jackson Essay

Introduction, family theme, role of the ‘castle’, the uncanny story, works cited.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle , written by Shirley Jackson and published in 1961, was the final novel of the author, representing several characteristics of her personality. As mentioned by Bartnett for the Guardian, the female characters of the novel are “yin and yang of Shirley’s own inner self – one, an explorer, a challenger, the other a contented, domestic homebody.” The novel tells the story of two sisters – Merricat Blackwood, who is characterized as headstrong and naïve, and her older sister Constance Blackwood, who avoids venturing any further than her garden. The main mystery behind the two sisters was that they were the remaining members of a large old family that died suddenly from poisoning. Thus, the topic of family is persistent throughout the novel, especially given the consequences that led to the death of almost all Blackwoods.

It is revealed that Merricat was the one to murdered her family, including parents, her aunt, and her brother, leaving only Constance and her uncle, who survived the poisoning of arsenic due to mere luck. Constance was the only family member whom Merricat truly loved, and despite her sinister actions, the author gave explanations for it by pointing out the oppressive nature of family relationships with regard to women. To get a deeper understanding of why Merricat had a chaotic and illogical attitude toward family life, the history and structure of the family as an institution should be considered.

Social rules and gender roles that exist within the family context are predominantly male-centered, which means that the power is usually patrilineal. For instance, the family name is generally passed down from fathers to sons who also have traditionally inherited the majority of the property. Daughters, however, we’re expected to follow family rules until they get married, when they had to come under their husbands’ rule. Therefore, there is a history of blatant oppression of females within the family context (Chae 262). Given the nature of family structure and power, it is not surprising that Merricat wanted to rid herself of the oppressive traditions that her family held.

The most negative aspects of masculinity in the novel are illustrated through the character of Charles Blackwood. He is obsessed with getting rich and thus tricks his cousins out of money under the disguise of pretending to help them. Charles even plans to make Constance his wife, which threatens the relationship between Merricat and her sister (Begonia). The marriage between Constance and Charles can not only ruin the sisters’ relationship but also severely damage the female-oriented family that Merricat wanted to preserve. Therefore, the institution of family and marriage is depicted in the novel as something that keeps women away from helping each other and maintaining solidarity. To a large degree, Jackson intentionally portrays marriage as a treat to familial relationships rather than a vehicle for strengthening them.

Familial relationships depicted in We Have Always Lived in the Castle are complex. Charles is already Constance and Merricat’s relative, which gives him the right to entire their house regardless of any efforts of preventing him from doing so (Lape 153). Merricat is always aware of the boundaries she must set for protection; she checks the fence that surrounds her property every week, uses talismans to safeguard herself from danger, has “hiding places” for escaping abuse (Jackson 76). Charles is very dismissive of her cousin’s practices and intends to take the power that she gained through murdering her oppressive family. He starts treating Merricat the same way in which her late family treated her in the past.

In contrast to Charles’ strive for money and power, Merricat is not interested in none of her financial inheritance. Rather, she places special importance on the cultural and historical value of the objects left behind by generations of Blackwood women who inhabited the castle. Canned food and chinaware have a special place in Merricat’s heart because they represent the contributions of Blackwood wives and daughters who were continuously oppressed by their husbands, fathers, and brothers. These objects show that women have always followed the stereotype of fulfilling their role of cooks for their families. Food is also a tangible symbol of women being crucial contributors to family dynamics when Merricat murders her family, food changes from the oppressive instrument to the beacon of liberation.

As mentioned earlier, Blackwoods’ family residence has always been of great value for Merricat and her sister, not from a financial but from a historical perspective. To Merricat, the house represented the nature and essence of its female inhabitants: “as soon as a new Blackwood wife moved in, a place was found for her belongings, as so our house was built up with layers of Blackwood property weighing in, and keeping it steady against the world” (Jackson 1). The house was indeed a castle that protected Merricat from the outside world, and she cherished its history in the same way as she cherished her freedom and control over her life after murdering almost the entire family. Despite Merricat’s disdain with the traditional roles that women had to play in their houses, she still enjoyed neatening and cleaning it as an homage to the hard work that she previously had to do: “on Mondays, we neatened […] carefully setting the little things back after we had dusted, never altering the perfect line of our mother’s tortoise-shell comb” (Jackson 42). As the novel climaxes with Blackwood’s estate getting caught on fire that destroyed most of the building, both Merricat and Constance are devastated from the destruction of the place that they held so dearly to their heart despite the oppression that experienced.

Seeing the treasured objects of Blackwood women’s history destroyed is a shock to the sisters because both of them valued the contributions of their ancestors. The author writes, “silverware that had been in the house for generations of Blackwood wives […] tablecloths and napkins hemmed by Blackwood women, and washed and ironed, again and again, mended and cherished” (Jackson 114). These lines illustrate the attachment sisters had to the house and the respect they had for it. Overall, by the numerous ways in which Merricat tried to protect her house and maintain its history, it can be concluded that the ‘castle’ played a significant role in the main characters’ lives. Importantly, it reflected the long tradition of hard work that Blackwood women had to do to make the house feel like home. Unfortunately, no one except for Merricat and Constance understood the value of that work.

In Gothic literature, the uncanny mode is used for providing a look at the darkest sides of humanity. To a large extent, the uncanny brings out the internal conflict that a character may experience because of (the) underlying external conflict (Kristinsson). In We Have Always Lived in the Castle , the uncanny is manifested in Merricat’s struggle to get away from the oppressive nature of her family by making a decision to poison her relatives with arsenic. Again, the literary mode relates directly to the key theme of the novel – male-dominated family structures.

The atmosphere that persists in the entire novel can be characterized as uncanny because readers get to know that the protagonist murdered her family and still manage to sympathize with her. Also, the fact that Merricat’s sister also knows about the intentional killing does not seem too over-the-top for readers because they understand that the novel speaks about the most negative characteristics of people, which is inherent to Gothic literature. The uncanny qualities of the protagonist contribute to the overall eerie atmosphere of the novel because her actions are a secret to nobody.

To conclude, family relationships in We Have Always Lived in the Castle as extremely complex. For getting herself and Constance away from the oppressive family dynamics, Merricat makes a decision to murder her relatives. However, in the course of the novel, her family ‘haunts’ Merricat through the figure of Charles, who wants to take power over the Blackwood money and property, thus illustrating the most negative aspects of male-dominated families. The ‘castle’ plays a unique role in the novel; it provides shelter and sanctuary for both sisters while still reminding them of the long history of women being oppressed in its walls. Jackson’s novel is uncanny in its attitude toward family life and the use of Gothic symbolism.

Bartnett, David. “We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson – A House of Ordinary Horror.” The Guardian . 2015, Web.

Begonja, Lucija. Female Characters and Setting in Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Thesis, University of J.J. Strossmayer in Osijek, 2017.

Chae, Haesook. “Marx on the Family and Class Consciousness.” A Journal of Economics, Culture & Society , vol. 26, no. 2, 2014, pp. 262-277.

Jackson, Shirley. We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Penguin Modern Classics, 2009.

Kristinsson, Sebastian. “The Split Psyche and the Uncanny in Scottish Literature.” Skemman , 2016, Web.

Lape, Sue Veregge. The Lottery’s Hostage: The Life and Feminist Fiction of Shirley Jackson. Dissertation, Ohio State University, 1992.

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IvyPanda. (2020, December 13). Family in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson. https://ivypanda.com/essays/family-in-we-have-always-lived-in-the-castle-by-shirley-jackson/

"Family in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson." IvyPanda , 13 Dec. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/family-in-we-have-always-lived-in-the-castle-by-shirley-jackson/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Family in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson'. 13 December.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Family in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson." December 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/family-in-we-have-always-lived-in-the-castle-by-shirley-jackson/.

1. IvyPanda . "Family in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson." December 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/family-in-we-have-always-lived-in-the-castle-by-shirley-jackson/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Family in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson." December 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/family-in-we-have-always-lived-in-the-castle-by-shirley-jackson/.

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Essays for We Have Always Lived in the Castle. We Have Always Lived in the Castle essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. Pearls in the Castle: Comparing Materialism and Gender in Fiction by Steinbeck and Jackson

Here is a list of practice questions for the metaphoric masterpiece, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, a text that some of you will be studying this year. As students who want to do very well for the exam at the end of 2023, you should be able to deal with these sorts of questions.

Essay 1 : "Family is the cause of all the problems in We Have Always Lived in the Castle.'. Do you agree? Essay 2 : Merricat and Constance find safety in their ruined house, but they sacrifice their freedom. Discuss. Essay 3 : "In We Have Always lived in the castle the women are stronger than the men" discuss.

Historical Context of We Have Always Lived in the Castle. This novel, written just a few years before the radical social movements of the 1960s and '70s began, is a reaction to the return to traditionalism that occurred in the United States after World War II. During the 1950s, women were expected to stay at home to cook and clean and support ...

Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to ...

What could Constance have done differently over the past six years in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle"? Ask a question. We Have Always Lived in the Castle Questions and Answers - Discover the ...

We Have Always Lived in the Castle was a best seller and named one of Time magazine's Ten Best Novels of 1962. It could be considered Jackson's most complete book. She intertwines several ...

Genre and Narrative Conventions. Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a work of gothic fiction, known for its eerie and uncanny atmosphere. The novel explores themes of isolation and madness through the eyes of the protagonist, Merricat Blackwood, who is haunted by the double of her dead father.

This analysis of We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962), Shirley Jackson 's last novel, has a special emphasis on Mary Katherine (Merricat), the younger of the Blackwood sisters central to the story. Excerpted from Girls in Bloom: Coming of Age in the Mid 20th Century Woman's Novel by Francis Booth, reprinted by permission.

Her trip was unpleasant and uncomfortable. The villagers hate Merricat; they rudely avoid her, gossip about her in front of her, and taunt her. She is treated this way because her family was all killed, except for Constance and Uncle Julian. Describe the narrator's trip to the village. Include how the narrator is treated; why she might be ...

Charles begs Constance to let him in, but she doesn't. The moment he leaves they both laugh uproariously at his foolishness. The people who walk past the house always speculate about the sisters, and children are afraid of them. There's a rumor that the sisters eat children, and Merricat and Constance joke about it.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a 1962 mystery novel by American author Shirley Jackson.It was Jackson's final work, and was published with a dedication to Pascal Covici, the publisher, three years before the author's death in 1965.The novel is written in the voice of eighteen-year-old Mary Katherine "Merricat" Blackwood, who lives with her agoraphobic sister and ailing uncle on an estate.

Literary Aspects: "Sula" vs. "We Have Always Lived in a Castle". Inked by celebrated American novelist Toni Morrison, the book " Sula " sets a perfect example of how literary elements are blended effortlessly into the book. On the other hand, " We Have Always Lived in a Castle ," authored by Shirley Jackson, provides a pedestal ...

Introduction. We Have Always Lived in the Castle, written by Shirley Jackson and published in 1961, was the final novel of the author, representing several characteristics of her personality.As mentioned by Bartnett for the Guardian, the female characters of the novel are "yin and yang of Shirley's own inner self - one, an explorer, a challenger, the other a contented, domestic homebody."

Get an answer for 'What are three adjectives that describe Constance in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle"?' and find homework help for other We Have Always Lived in the Castle questions at eNotes

Recent work on Shirley Jackson has emphasized how Jackson masks the horror in her work to show violence and trauma embedded in ordinary domestic life. We Have Always Lived in the Castle seemingly departs from this pattern with a first-person narrator who is a murderer prone to delusive magical thinking. In this paper, I show that we can understand Castle's first-person narrative as a mask of a ...