Topic J
1 May 2015
By Kaeleigh Foecking
The title of the novel Rebecca alludes to the story's main conflict. It reflects Rebecca's domination of the main character's life and the overall story, and it further characterizes the main character.
It's interesting that Rebecca, a character not even alive in the novel, became the inspiration for the book's title. This is because Rebecca, although not physically present, becomes a huge mental presence in the main character's life. After moving to Manderly, the main character spends all of her time worrying that she will be compared to Rebecca and that she must live up to the expectations Rebecca previously set. The main character is very aware that Rebecca "had been before [her], had surely left an imprint of her person" (du Maurier 79), and that thought is a constant source of stress and anxiety for the main character. The title reflects this relationship, as the nameless main character's own story is overshadowed by Rebecca's legend and the standards she set.
The title also characterizes the main character, as it further shows her insignificance. The main character is not given a name and is very timid throughout the novel. She has none of her own opinions, or isn’t assertive enough to speak on them, as she always opts for agreeing with the opinion of the crowd. For example, when guests arrive at Manderly and begin to impose their opinions on bringing back the grand parties Rebecca had, the main character quickly crumbles and agrees to put on a ball (du Maurier 196). Too weak and afraid to assert her own opinion, the main character remains timid throughout the novel, resulting in the appearance that she has an insignificant personality. The title reflects this weak personality, as it shows that the main character is much less significant than Rebecca.
I agree with Kaeleigh's statement that the title Rebecca shows Rebecca's dominance over the main character. I also believe that it also shows the struggle that the main character faces internally and her internal fight with Rebecca. This is shown in multiple passages in the book like in the beginning in chapter six when the main character rips up the page of the book that has Rebecca's signature. Another example would be when the main character accidentally breaks the cupid, an old wedding present that belonged to Rebecca, with the main character's art books, which were a wedding present to the Main Character. This symbolizes the struggle within the main character and her role to replace Rebecca.
ReplyDelete(Continued)
ReplyDeleteThe main Character has an internal struggle trying to compete with Rebecca who overshadows the Main Character. An example of this would be that the Main character is nameless, while Rebecca is not only named, but the title of the book. Rebecca is dominant over the main character both figuratively, through symbolism and the title, and physically, like when the Main Character rips the page
(FULL COMMENT POST)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kaeleigh's statement that the title Rebecca shows Rebecca's dominance over the main character. I also believe that it also shows the struggle that the main character faces internally and her internal fight with Rebecca. This is shown in multiple passages in the book like in the beginning in chapter six when the main character rips up the page of the book that has Rebecca's signature. Another example would be when the main character accidently breaks the cupid, an old wedding present that belonged to Rebecca, with the main character's art books, which were a wedding present to the Main Character. This symbolizes the struggle within the main character and her role to replace Rebecca. The main Character has an internal struggle trying to compete with Rebecca who overshadows the Main Character. An example of this would be that the Main character is nameless, while Rebecca is not only named, but the title of the book. Rebecca is dominant over the main character both figuratively, through symbolism and the title, and physically, like when the Main Character rips the page.
(FULL COMMENT POST)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kaeleigh's statement that the title Rebecca shows Rebecca's dominance over the main character. I also believe that it also shows the struggle that the main character faces internally and her internal fight with Rebecca. This is shown in multiple passages in the book like in the beginning in chapter six when the main character rips up the page of the book that has Rebecca's signature. Another example would be when the main character accidently breaks the cupid, an old wedding present that belonged to Rebecca, with the main character's art books, which were a wedding present to the Main Character. This symbolizes the struggle within the main character and her role to replace Rebecca. The main Character has an internal struggle trying to compete with Rebecca who overshadows the Main Character. An example of this would be that the Main character is nameless, while Rebecca is not only named, but the title of the book. Rebecca is dominant over the main character both figuratively, through symbolism and the title, and physically, like when the Main Character rips the page.