Insanity in Wide Sargasso Sea Paragraph

Characters within the novel are not inherently mad but instead, they are driven to madness through a range of traumatic events and the propagation of hegemonic and patriarchal attitudes. Annette's descent into madness was driven by situational factors instead of a result of her disposition. The traumatic experiences Annette faces such as the fire at Coulibri which causes the death of her son placed her in a vulnerable state. From this state she was driven to madness as Christophine explains, "They drive her to it. When she lose her son she lose herself for a while and they shut her away. They tell her she is mad, they act like she is mad. " Antoinette experiences a journey into madness similar to that of her mother's. In the beginning of the novel, Antoinette's childhood shows the reader that while she may have had a troubled upbringing, she was in no was "mad". However, after her marriage to Edward Rochester Antoinette is driven insane by a period of long term exposure to her husband's patriarchal and hegemonic influence. As a result of Rochester's oppressive behaviour, Antoinette is stripped of her identity and driven to her eventual breaking point. In Part Three of the novel, the compromised nature of Antoinette's mental state becomes revealed to the reader as Rochester's treatment and abuse has finally driven her to true madness.

Read More

Insanity in Wide Sargasso Sea

Discuss the portrayal of insanity in Wide Sargasso Sea.

Thesis:

Within the context of the novel, Jean Rhys presents insanity or madness as a social phenomenon defined by a defiance of cultural and social norms rather than perhaps a true illness of the mind. Annette and Antoinette are both driven to madness by an inherently patriarchal society and racial tensions as a result of colonial attitudes and values.

Topic Sentence 1:

At the centre of the story lies a patriarchal society that promotes the oppression of women which ultimately served as a contributing factor  to Annette's and Antoinette's madness.

Evidence:

• Women are oppressed through the legal system that is designed to benefit men
• Seen through Antoinette's marriage to Rochester
• “You want her money but you don’t want her. It is in your mind to pretend she is mad. I know it.The doctors say what you tell them to say. The man Richard he say what you want him to say -- glad and willing too, I know. She will be like her mother” - Christophine, page 145

• Annette was forced to marry Mr. Mason because she needs economic protection
• Her marriage is was ultimately drove her to madness as Mr. Mason did not listen to her and left her to dwell in her sorrow and mental breakdown
• “My mother whom you all talk about, what justice did she have? My mother sitting in the rocking chair speaking about dead horses and dead grooms and a black devil kissing her sad mouth.” - Antoinette, page 133
• “They drive her to it. When she lose her son she lose herself for a while and they shut her away. They tell her she is mad, they act like she is mad. Question, question. But no kind word, no friends, and her husband’ he go off, he leave her…” - Christophine

Topic Sentence 2:

Edward Rochester's role as a colonizer drives Antoinette to madness as her culture is deemed subaltern and she is forced to endure the hegemonic values of her husband.

Evidence:

• Rochester is unable to understand Antoinette's culture and therefore resents it and beliefs that it is subaltern
• He grows to resent her "alien" nature and looks
• Antoinette's actions, looks, and beliefs differ from the traditional English expectations and values that Rochester is accustomed to

• Rochester attempts to conform Antoinette to what he considers a more proper way of life
• Starts calling her Bertha

• This resentment leads him to deem here as "mad"
•  It is in your mind to pretend she is mad. I know it. The doctors say what you tell them to say. The man Richard he say what you want him to say -- glad and willing too, I know. She will be like her mother” - Christophine, page 145

Topic Sentence 3:

The racial tension in the West Indies post-emancipation created an environment of hostility which also prompted Annette and Antoinette's identity crisis and eventual mental breakdowns.

Evidence:

• Racial tension caused the fire at Coulibri which resulted in the death of Pierre
• Annette is driven to madness after this

• Antoinette faces an identity crisis as she is descended from slave-owners
• Creole
• Not rich English and not a poor black
• Hybridity

Topic Sentence 4/Conclusion (?):

Characters within the novel are not inherently mad but instead, they are driven to madness through a range of traumatic events and the propagation of hegemonic and patriarchal attitudes.

Evidence:

• “They drive her to it. When she lose her son she lose herself for a while and they shut her away. They tell her she is mad, they act like she is mad. "

• Antoinette goes insane and experiences an eventual mental breakdown after long term exposure to her husband's values
• Stripped of her identity
• Antoinette locked in the attic

• Annette is driven mad after be constantly called mad

• Often, the characters have completely understandable reasons for being upset yet they are deemed "hysterical" as typical in Victorian era 

Read More

Gender in Wide Sargasso Sea Essay

Thesis:

Within the novel, Jean Rhys examines the societal constructs of nineteenth century masculinity and femininity in order to highlight the imbalance of power that exists in the relationship between men and women and the resulting consequences.

Topic Sentence 1:

The character of Edward Rochester is representative of the main aspects of masculinity as seen in his dominant attitude, rational thinking, and the active role he plays in the plot.

Evidence:

•  “These people are very vulnerable. How old was I when I learned to hide how I felt? A very small boy.” – Rochester
• Rochester displays a great deal of arrogance as he asserts his will on others – mainly Antoinette – which portrays his dominance
•  Begins calling Antoinette Bertha, exerting his power over her

Topic Sentence 2:

Antoinette Cosway is constructed as an embodiment of stereotypical femininity; her strong emotions, seemingly irrational thoughts, and submissive nature dictate her role in the story.

Evidence:

•  “Vain, silly creature.” – Rochester describing Antoinette
•  Antoinette is desperate to keep her marriage intact, despite Rochester’s clear lack of love
•  Constantly valued only for her beauty by Rochester
•  “Don’t put anymore scent on my hair. He doesn’t like it.” –Antoinette attempts to alter her identity to conform to Rochester’s standards
•  “This was Antoinette. She spoke hesitatingly as if she expected me to refuse, so it was easy to do so.”

Topic Sentence 3:

Through the marriage of Antoinette and Rochester, Rhys highlights the imbalance of power that exists in the relationship between men and women.

Evidence:

• “But I cannot go. He is my husband after all.”-Antoinette
•  “You are handing over everything the child owns to a perfect stranger.” – Aunt Cora
• Antoinette is stripped of all power in her marriage with Rochester
• She has no protection in her marriage agreement and therefore all her money is given to Rochester
• Rochester locks Antoinette in the attic, showing that he is capable of stripping her of freedom and free will

Read More

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.

Read More

Sheikh Ali al-Junaydi

Within the novel The Thief and the Dogs , characters tend to extend beyond themselves into a much greater form of symbolism. Just as certain characters in the novel could be considered representations of particular social classes, the character of Sheikh Ali al-Junaydi also plays a certain role in the story.

The Sheikh acts as the soothing presence for the main character Said Mahran. After Said is rejected by his daughter Sana he seeks the company of the Sheikh who used to serve as the spiritual advisor for his father. The first words spoken by the Sheikh towards Said are “peace and God’s compassion be upon you,” which truly highlights the role of the Sheikh in the novel. The Sheikh is a reoccurring reminder and representation of an alternate path that Said could choose to take. Said is blinded by his self-destructive quest for revenge however, his encounters with the Sheikh convey to the reader another route that could have been possible for him. This alternate route offered by the Sheikh presents a form of redemption born from religion and worship. Regardless, Said is unable to accept the possibility of a different and brighter future and this ultimately results in his tragic downfall.

The Sheikh contributes to the characterization of Said Mahran by exposing a few of his weaknesses and flaws that will eventually bring about his end. Sheikh al-Junaydi is very wise and highly perceptive of Said’s situation. He observes that “[Said’s] burning heart yearns for shade, yet continues forward under the fire of the sun.” This simple observation highlights the destructive and irrational nature of Said’s quest for revenge while exposing his inability to move on as one of his key flaws.

In the novel, the main settings can be divided into open and closed places. They can also be categorized as places that have changed and places that remained the same during Said's time in prison. The Sheikh's house is categorized as both open and a place that has remain unchanged. As with other spaces designated as open, this is an environment where Said does not feel the threat and pressure of society. The Sheikh serves as a safe haven and refuge for Said as he escapes from the world he feels is out to get him. Furthermore, the Sheikh's house offers Said a simple connection to his past since it has not changed over time.  It is here that the readers learn a lot of the backstory surrounding Said and what set him on the path he is currently on within the story.

Read More

Thesis Statements

Through Said's quest for  revenge within the novel , Mahfouz explores the definition of justice and its highly subjective nature through stream of consciousness narrative, thereby raising the question of who can be responsible for determining what is deemed as 'just'?

Read More

The Tragic Hero

Fatal Flaw (Hamartia)

Said's fatal flaw is that he is unable to forgive all those who he feels have wronged him in some way. As with all tragic heroes, Said's fatal flaw is what ultimately leads him to demise as he begins a rapid downward spiral. His quest for revenge is unstoppable as Said actively makes his situation worse. This insatiable thirst for revenge is evident directly from chapter 1 as Said's inner monologue revealed that "The hour was coming when he would confront them, when his rage would explode and burn, when those who had betrayed him would despair unto death, when treachery would pay for what it had done." Had he simply forgiven or at least moved on from Illish and Nabawiyya, his dark fate could have easily been avoided. 

Displays of Excess Pride (Hubris)

Throughout the novel, Said holds firm to the belief that he is always right no matter what. However, as we've discussed in class this perception of reality is most likely highly skewed. Said is always quick to critique others however, he is unable to find fault in himself or his own actions. This becomes evident in his discussion when he asks Rauf, "Hasn't your conscience bothered you even in the dark?" He's quick to judge Rauf without taking into consideration the fact that he's been a thief his entire life and is plotting to murder a man. Furthermore, he only blames others for his downfall without examining his own role in it. 

Reversal of Fortune (Peripeteia)

Within the novel, there are many events that could be considered the turning point for Said. However, I believe that the point of no return occurred when Said commits his first murder. In the eyes of Said, "[His] life was finished, spent to no purpose; he was a hunted man and would be to the end of his days." From this point onward, Said's misfortune increases rapidly as he continues down the dark road of revenge.

Recognition of Fault and Role in Downfall (Anagnorisis)

In this aspect Said actually deviates from the archetypal structure of the tale of the tragic hero. Normally, a tragic hero eventually experiences an epiphany in which they realize that their downfall is ultimately their own fault. However, Said never realizes that everything that has happened to him was due to his never-ending quest for vengeance. He dies still believing that all the unfortunate events in his life have been a result of the actions of others or simply some twisted form of fate.  

Fate (Nemesis)

From a certain perspective it could truly be argued that Said'd fate is quite fair in comparison to the pain he inflicted on others as he ended up murdering two innocent people. Typical tragic heroes are often introduced as highly respectable and noble characters. However, Mahfouz begins the novel by making it clear that Said is certainly not on any pedestal. For this reason its hard to convince the reader that his fate was truly greater than what was deserved. 

Read More