Rhys Ashworth

In the critical responses provided in the Penguin Books edition of Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, it is stated that “the only difference between [Jane and Antoinette] is their positons, one is on the edge of the empire, the other at its center” (162). The unnamed author of the response undermines the importance of this difference and fails to see how it affects both the representations. Without acknowledging that Jane narrates from the center, characterised by Walker (1999) as white male and heterosexual

Jean Rhys' novel Wide Sargasso Sea portrays how hair determines a crucial role in one’s status and identity through physical appearance. Hair helps provide an interpretation of a person’s complex relationships and perplexed identities. Rhys uses vivid imagery of hair as a strong representation of Antoinette’s resemblance to her mother as well as her sexual attraction towards Rochester. This strong sense of imagery is demonstrated throughout Antoinette’s imperious relationship with Rochester and her

Jean Rhys' Use of Conflicting Narratives of Antoinette and Rochester in "Wide Sargasso Sea" There are many techniques Jean Rhys uses to bring across the point that the narrators are unreliable and the truth twisted, it is an interesting and effective idea as it makes the reader feel confused on who to trust and really involves them in the book, they become party to the secrets. Rhys’ book is so complex as it is obviously linked to the Classic book- ‘Jane Eyre’; this is classic English

In Jean Rhys’s novel Wide Sargasso Sea, Edward Rochester can be considered as an embodiment of patriarchal and colonial oppression. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, patriarchal means, “relating to, characteristic of, or designating a society or culture in which men tend to be in positions of authority and cultural values and norms are seen as favouring men…” (“Patriarchal”) moreover colonial means “of, belonging to, or relating to a colony…” (“Colonial”). In addition, oppression means

Mr. Rochester vs. The Man Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte and Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys are novels with an obvious connection, however, this connection is not definite one. The main male character’s name in Jane Eyre is Mr. Rochester who has a very mysterious history in the Caribbean while The Man in Wide Sargasso Sea moves to the Caribbean after living in England for his entire life. Jean Rhys never states that the two men are the same, but the similarities between the two lead the reader

Divisions between Women in Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea In Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea, a sea of “differences” engulfs the women, stirring up prejudice and animosity. Instead of perceiving how much they are alike, these women allow the water to destroy the bridges between them. They are envious of each other’s wealth, leery of each other’s premature aging, and unforgiving towards those who do not “belong” to their ethnic groups. Differences in economics, age, and nationality among the women

Comparing Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte In the novels Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, the theme of loss can be viewed as an umbrella that encompasses the absence of independence, society or community, love, and order in the lives of the two protagonists. They deal with their hardships in diverse ways. However, they both find ways to triumph over their losses and regain their independence. The women in both novels endure

God and Religion in Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea      Jane Eyre, from Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, and Antoinette Mason, from Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea, both depict very different creeds. While Bronte created Jane with a Christian background, Rhys has birthed Antoinette into a more primitive, confused faith. Analyzing each writer's description of the red room will reveal the religious nature of their characters. In both texts, the rooms are symbolic of church. As Jane is sent to

An Interpretation of Jean Rhys' Used to Live Here Once Jean Rhys’ “I Used to Live Here Once” is a very well written and thought through short story. Rhy is very descriptive about all of the surroundings in the story. She makes sure to leave out no details regardless if the reader realizes it or not. That is why I say Jean Rhys’ “I Used to Live Here Once” is not about where “she” use to live, it is about a woman remembering the first time she knew that she

leaves Thornfield Hall, unable to put love before her faith, and Mr Rochester is devastated. Eventually, with much difficulty and sacrifice, Jane and Mr.Rochester are able to get married in the end, and live out the rest of their days in peace. Jean Rhys, in her novel Wide Sargasso Sea, offers a very different portrayal of Mr. Rochester, through the eyes of his first wife, Bertha Mason. In her version of the tale, Bertha, then known as Antoinette, is a young girl trapped in