Blog Post 2
Topic A
April 24, 2015
By Kaeleigh Foecking
As the novel progresses, Maxim de Winter's mysterious personality begins to develop. In Chapter 10, Maxim and the main character go on a walk and end up getting into a small disagreement that escalates into a full-out argument; Maxim seems to become especially unsettled because the main character brings up memories of his past wife. On their return to the house, "the ritual of [their] tea begins", and afterwards, "the colour [comes] back into [Maxim's] face, [and] the tired, lost look [is] gone." Despite Maxim's unsettled and disturbed mood only five minutes prior, going through the motions of everyday rituals brings him comfort and relaxes him. This develops Maxim's character, revealing his craving for mindless ritual to distract him from the pain of the past. This may explain his previous actions in the novel. Maxim often becomes distant, with a similar expression and behavior to the way he acts after his argument with Mrs. de Winter. In the same way he does after the post-argument tea ritual, Maxim relaxes and again shuts his emotions out in favor of a mindless everyday ritual to keep his mind occupied and unfocused on hurtful memories. This characteristic may be helpful for later situations in the novel in interpreting and analyzing Maxim's behavior.
Topic A
April 24, 2015
By Kaeleigh Foecking
As the novel progresses, Maxim de Winter's mysterious personality begins to develop. In Chapter 10, Maxim and the main character go on a walk and end up getting into a small disagreement that escalates into a full-out argument; Maxim seems to become especially unsettled because the main character brings up memories of his past wife. On their return to the house, "the ritual of [their] tea begins", and afterwards, "the colour [comes] back into [Maxim's] face, [and] the tired, lost look [is] gone." Despite Maxim's unsettled and disturbed mood only five minutes prior, going through the motions of everyday rituals brings him comfort and relaxes him. This develops Maxim's character, revealing his craving for mindless ritual to distract him from the pain of the past. This may explain his previous actions in the novel. Maxim often becomes distant, with a similar expression and behavior to the way he acts after his argument with Mrs. de Winter. In the same way he does after the post-argument tea ritual, Maxim relaxes and again shuts his emotions out in favor of a mindless everyday ritual to keep his mind occupied and unfocused on hurtful memories. This characteristic may be helpful for later situations in the novel in interpreting and analyzing Maxim's behavior.
I agree with Kaeleigh that Maxim de Winter’s personality and how it has been developing. It’s interesting that the everyday ritual that he faced day to day seems to have comfort him. Personally, my hypothesis was that even the presence of Manderly would have affected Maxim negatively. One thing I feel might have caused this change in his demeanor would be the Main Character. I feel that MC is treated like filler in Rebecca’s place, that one of the main reasons that Maxim de Winter has been able to take comfort in Manderly again is that MC helps fill the gap that was Rebecca, and he subconsciously uses the main character as a replacement. In the garden with Maxim’s sister and her husband, the main Character takes note of this and even says, “He likes me the way I like Jasper” showing that she even feels that Maxim is treating her only as a mere companion, like a pet, instead of the love of his life as he did with Rebecca (101).
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Topic A
April 24, 2015
By Kaeleigh Foecking
As the novel progresses, Maxim de Winter's mysterious personality begins to develop. In Chapter 10, Maxim and the main character go on a walk and end up getting into a small disagreement that escalates into a full-out argument; Maxim seems to become especially unsettled because the main character brings up memories of his past wife. On their return to the house, "the ritual of [their] tea begins", and afterwards, "the colour [comes] back into [Maxim's] face, [and] the tired, lost look [is] gone." Despite Maxim's unsettled and disturbed mood only five minutes prior, going through the motions of everyday rituals brings him comfort and relaxes him. This develops Maxim's character, revealing his craving for mindless ritual to distract him from the pain of the past. This may explain his previous actions in the novel. Maxim often becomes distant, with a similar expression and behavior to the way he acts after his argument with Mrs. de Winter. In the same way he does after the post-argument tea ritual, Maxim relaxes and again shuts his emotions out in favor of a mindless everyday ritual to keep his mind occupied and unfocused on hurtful memories. This characteristic may be helpful for later situations in the novel in interpreting and analyzing Maxim's behavior.