Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

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Recommended: The portrayal of women in literature

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

“Rebecca” is a novel that can be interpreted in many different ways and can be criticized from many different viewpoints. It is a complex novel that brings together both romance and a murder mystery. The characters change throughout the book as you learn more about each of them and the manderly estate. Rebecca herself is quite a mystery as well. We learn that she has different motives than first thought and is a different character completely as you read through the novel. The character that makes the most dramatic change is the unnamed narrator. She holds a postcard of the Manderley estate, but little does she know what big a part the stunning estate will play in her future.

At first glance the narrator seems very plain and uneventful as she is the companion of the very snobby and stuck up Mrs. Van Hopper. Due to her father’s death, she must take in this demeaning and demoralizing job of ailing to the needs of Mrs. Van Hopper. Her willingness to follow every order that her companion gives her without any word back or without sticking up for herself at all gives her character the image of weakness and boringness. This job, however, is the reason why her whole life changes and changes her character into an outspoken woman.

Rebecca then meets Mr. Dewinter while attending to her companion’s needs. Mr. Dewinter shows great interest in her right away and makes it clear that he is interested in her. “Rebecca”(16), “ I’m a...

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