Antoinette

In what ways does Jean Rhys characterize Antoinette as an outsider in Part One of the novel and to what effect?
Consider the significance of theme and context.

Alienation and the idea of otherness is one of the main themes of novel Wide Sargasso Sea. This theme can be seen as the driving force behind many of the destructive actions of the main characters within the story. Antoinette’s position as an outsider begins in Part One of the novel and progresses and evolves until she eventually becomes alienated from her family and even herself.

Antoinette’s characterization as an outsider in Part One is mainly composed around the complex racial dynamics and resulting tension that was developing in Jamaica in the 1830’s. Between the whites born in England and the black ex-slaves, Antoinette’s creole background leaves her stranded in an ambiguous middle-ground. Antoinette narrates that “They say when trouble comes close ranks, and the white people did. But we were not in their ranks.” Despite being white, Antoinette and her family are not accepted by the upper-class white Jamaicans and are therefore treated as outsiders. This is as a result of the family’s economic status and Annette’s behaviour and appearance. This line is key in characterizing Antoinette’s struggle to find her place in the racial hierarchy as she identifies the “white people” but does not actually identify as one. Furthermore, Antoinette’s family stems from a line of former slave owners which creates animosity between her family and the recently emancipated slaves on the island. Through this distinction, Rhys is able to portray the true complexity of the racial and class turmoil of this time period.

In addition to this, Antoinette is characterized as an outsider through the portrayal of her relationships with her members of her family and her friend Tia. During Antoinette’s narration she describes the way in which she used to seek comfort in the arms of her mother however, this description is clearly in the past tense emphasizing that this is no longer the case. Regarding her friendship with Tia, Antoinette considers her the closest friend she has however after the fire at Coulibri Tia succumbs to external pressure and betrays their friendship by throwing a stone at her.

Through the establishment of this particular aspect of Antoinette’s character, Rhys emphasizes the depth of a character that had previously been reduced to a simple caricature of a cultural group. In Part One of the novel the author is laying the groundwork for the core theme of the story which will eventually results in the demise of the protagonist.