Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

The narrator is always trying to fit into ‘coats’ that are “too big” and “too long” that Rebecca has left. Everyone around her is subconsciously comparing her to Rebecca and the narrator feels very uncomfortable around most people. In some way it is almost like Daphne du Maurier takes the conventions of a romance-genre and twists them so although Maxim apparently ‘saves’ the narrator from Mrs Van Hopper in fact he destroys her life. His world is full of pain and torture and now she has to go through that too. Another way in which Rebecca subverts the conventions of the romance-genre is by incorporating a murder into the plot. The narrator thinks Maxim to be dark and mysterious, which he is, because he has been hiding the fact that he killed his first wife and apparently his child. Daphne du Maurier has written a romance novel that actually subverts the conventions of a romance in many ways.

Mrs Danvers, Manderley's housekeeper, is both aware of and delighted by the narrator's fear of her. She is almost encouraged to continue her intimidation of the narrator, under the guise of subservient courtesy. As Mrs de Winter is not in possession of her own personal maid, Mrs Danvers is entrusted with the task of appointing one. This she fulfils, choosing a young girl of negligible experience and who was, "the only person in the house who stood in awe of" the narrator, insinuating that only the lowliest of servants finds it necessary to respect Mrs de Winter, because Clarice has had "no alarming standards" and consequently they seem to be "fit company" (p 143). Eventually though, after experiencing for only a short time, Mrs de Winter's insecurities and uncertainties, Clarice is confident enough to confide in her mother that serving the narrator is "not like being with a lady... it's like being with one of ourselves" (p 151). By this it can be assumed that Clarice is referring to the similar class and background she shares with the narrator, therefore considering it unnecessary to respect or fear the narrator, as the similarities they share are so numerous and of such social importance. This familiarisation, as perceived by Maxim and consequently, the narrator (devoid of her own opinions) is indeed an insult and displays a lack of respect for her betters on the part of Clarice, further lowering the

form the next day when Max invites her to join his table for lunch and

I Knew a Woman is about a woman who has more than just beauty. Theodore Roethke explains what he sees in this woman and the joy and pain about loving her. Roethke uses a

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines gutsy as “marked by courage, pluck, or determination; having a strong or appealing flavor ("Dictionary and Thesaurus | Merriam-Webster"). It may be common to associate this adjective with a skydiver or daredevil, but what about an eighteenth century columnist named Fanny Fern? Fanny Fern, or as her birth certificate would state, Sarah Willis Parton, lived in the mid to late 1800s and wrote famously about controversial issues that are still prevalent in the twenty first century. Fern wrote with whimsy and liveliness, making issues like gender inequality in marriage and women’s reform seem funny and lighthearted, although looking closer, we can see that (through the use of several tropes) she was anything but. With cuts such as a woman’s cult of domesticity disguised as a relatable entry about silly husbands, we can look back at Fern’s work today and admire her courage to write without compromising her beliefs, as well as her ‘guts’ and determination. Fanny Fern famously used a witty mix of sarcasm, pun, and metaphor in her eighteenth century writing to critique and challenge her highly oppressive patriarchal society.

John Demos’s nine point portrait of a witch is one way to analysis the case of Rebecca Nurse. To do so, one must first evaluate and understand the history of Rebecca Nurse and her role in the Salem in the late 1600’s. Rebecca Nurse was the wife of Francis Nurse, a farmer who became wealthy after buying and tending a large plot of land between Salem Village and Salem Town. Together they had eight children, and as a family they were prosperous. Connecting this information to Demos’s portrait of a witch, Rebecca Nurse falls under the first four points made in his sketch. These first two points are that she was “female” and that she was of “middle age”. However, the latter point is slightly inaccurate because Nurse was older than sixty years. The final two points that Rebecca Nurse falls under in Demos’s portrait of a witch are that she was of “English” and “Puritan” descent and culture, and that she was “married”, with little or no children. Again, the latter point is not fully accurate because Rebecca Nurse, while married, had, in fact, eight children in her lifetime. The significance of these traits of Rebecca Nurse agree, for the most part, with the

One of the most noble and well-respected citizens of Salem, this elderly woman is kindly and sane, suggesting that Betty 's illness is simply a product of being out too late in the cold. However, because she served as midwife to Mrs. Putnam, Rebecca Nurse is charged with the supernatural murder of Putnam 's children, who were each stillborn. Rebecca Nurse is the clear martyr in the play, the most pure and saintly character hanged for witchery.

This is all due to how the author, Rebecca, includes herself as a character in this novel. Overall the reader can truly make a connection with the author, as well as some of the other characters do to this choice. It grabs your attention, then allows you to empathize and understand exactly how the author is feeling in different moments throughout her research. Rebecca Skloot made an excellent choice by incorporating herself as a character in this

The book I read for this book report was called “After Eli” by: Rebecca Rupp. In the story the main character’s name is Daniel (Danny) Anderson. Since his brother Eli died in the war in Iraq, his parents acted different. His dad became detached and displeased by everything and his mom became silent and withdrawn. The reason Eli joined the army was because of the 9/11 bombing on the World Trade Center. Eli was very emotional about the bombings and decided to join the army. After Eli had died his mom quit her job at the local kindergarten and was very depressed and his dad stopped talking to people. This type of conflict is Man vs. Self because Danny’s parents are dealing with problems that they need to overcome. Another type of conflict is Man

Mrs. Fox, by Sarah Hall was published in 2014. Mrs. Fox is a short story by Sarah Hall about a woman who turns into a fox during her pregnancy, much to the dismay of her husband. Mrs. Fox describes a woman who is not satisfied with her life with her husband, Mr. Fox. They both remain detached thorough the story. When Mrs. Fox turns into a fox, Mr. Fox does not understand why his wife was not happy or satisfied in her human life. Sarah Hall does a wonderful job of displaying out an unusually intriguing setting, a breath taking characterization of the two main characters Mr. and Mrs. Fox, and she displays a dark and modern theme, rightfully earning the BBC National short story

The phases of life are described uniquely in the novel “Shirley.” At first glance, you don’t necessarily think that Charlotte Bronte is trying to describe life, but when you analyze it, it is a beautiful way of describing life and the changes that happen throughout it. Bronte uses personification, hyperboles, and a well written syntax and diction to describe these different phases.

The plot of Rebecca is an interesting and suspenseful story, but it would greatly differ if it were to occur in today’s current time period. Though some aspects of life have remained the same, there have been many changes in history and culture since Rebecca was written. Because of the contrast of roles in society, views on marriage, and technology for crimes, the plot of Rebecca would not make sense in the twenty-first century of America. The roles in the society of Rebecca differ from today’s

Furthermore, Rebecca reflects the conventions of the romantic genre by showing that the heroine?s first impressions of the hero were incorrect. She had first viewed him as ?hard? and ?sardonic? due to his remarks at Mrs Van Hopper, ?He got up at once, pushing back his chair. ?Don?t let me keep you,? he said. ?Fashions change so quickly nowadays they may even have altered by the time you get upstairs.?? However, following her first breakfast with Maxim, she realises that she was wrong and says, ?I had ill-judged him, he was neither hard nor sardonic, he was already my friend of many years.? The first impression of Maxim only lasts over one coffee with Mrs Van Hopper however is fixed soon after when he sends the heroine a note which reads, ?Forgive me. I was very rude this afternoon.? It is evident that as soon as she receives this note, her opinions of the hero change. She also elaborates on her feelings the next morning when Maxim invites her

Mrs. Danvers, in addition, consistently reminds Mrs. de Winter of Rebecca’s preferences adding to a growing sense of inferiority. Insecurities and self-doubt already present in the new Mrs. de Winter were an underlying part of her personality. Mrs. Van Hopper, her previous employer, “would employ me as bait to draw her prey” (du Maurier. 12). Mrs. Van Hopper’s treatment of her lead to an undiagnosed case of high anxiety; the constant and unsubstantiated worry that causes significant distress and interferes with daily life, within the young Mrs. de Winter exasperating the intensity of Manderley (adaa.org).

The theme of the book is how dangerous innocence can be, which was a huge belief that Daphne carried with her almost all of her life. One author, Frank Magil, says, “In Rebecca du Maurier is suggesting that in the real world, innocence can be dangerous, even fatal. It is experience, no innocence, knowledge, not ignorance, which enable the narrator to survive (432).” Daphne also showed how dangerous she thought it was for women to be too submissive to men in this novel, she thought it was deadly for both people in the relationship. Readers who have read Rebecca automatically assume that she relates herself to the protagonist of the book, Bride, but she actually relates herself to the antagonist, Rebecca (Magil 432). Just like Rebecca, Daphne cheated on her spouse a numerous amount of times, she was rebellious in her marriage and didn’t seem to regret it as much as she should have.