Prompt
‘Discuss the portrayal of insanity in Wide Sargasso Sea’
Thesis:
‘ In Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys depicts the theme of insanity as a label, rather than holding a true seed ;this is explored through the portrayal of the protagonist Antoinette and her mother Annette . How they experience the progression of their insanity is exhibited through the patriarchal oppression of the male figures in their lives, the cultural context influencing the characters sense of identity and lastly the symbolism of setting is portrayed within the novel. ‘
‘ In Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys depicts the theme of insanity as a label, rather than holding a true seed ;this is explored through the portrayal of the protagonist Antoinette and her mother Annette . How they experience the progression of their insanity is exhibited through the patriarchal oppression of the male figures in their lives, the cultural context influencing the characters sense of identity and lastly the symbolism of setting is portrayed within the novel. ‘
Paragraph 3: Context of cultural context of identity
The cultural context of origin in this novel has an impact on the characters and their embodiment of their identity and self perception, as the contrasting societies of the Creole, West Indies and England evoke varying levels amongst them. Antoinette, the main character in this novel, is torn between her true origin as a Creole woman and her contradicting skin tone , stopping her from being able to fully embrace herself as a solid individual. The people around her reject her , calling her "white cockroach" multiple times in the novel, an expression used to degrade the whites. She wasn't wealthy or a slave owner, further worsening her reputation. As a white girl in the late 1800d's with no strong figures to look up to that would support Antoinette for who she is in every aspect, the foundation needed for her to establish her opinions on herself with insight of others who supported her lacked greatly. All she was left with was the choice to isolate herself from preferably everyone that had been rejecting her attempts at forming a bond, such as her mother and Tia,replacing that attention and investment into her surroundings by attributing the depth and relevance to them a much as others do to the people they're intrigued by. Here, Rhys reflects on the effect of that constant rejection and next to no access to people who were on Antoinette's side and how it easily contributes to the formation of insanity as her reputation.
Mr Rochester, on the other hand,feels secure about his origin, being England, as well as his superiority towards women of Creole descent,due to the rumours that surround them, of being "mad, unstable". For Rochester, the theme of insanity is easily depicted through his view on Antoinette , her instability a clear validation of his doubts. Through these two characters, Jean Rhys portrays how the theme of insanity is rather a quality that is attached to all Creole women, including Antoinette's mum, Anette and the circumstances that have brought them to this point of social vulnerability.Rochester feels superior towards Antoinette, not merely due to his victorian mentality of the opposite gender being less superior ; he senses Antoinette's unsureness of who she is and how she can act around him and other people , all the while struggling what side to move on. This as well as her early realisation of accepting her role as a woman in their society , being quiet, patient and cautious, enabled Rochester to gain more control of her identity and shift it to his needs.
Mr Rochester, on the other hand,feels secure about his origin, being England, as well as his superiority towards women of Creole descent,due to the rumours that surround them, of being "mad, unstable". For Rochester, the theme of insanity is easily depicted through his view on Antoinette , her instability a clear validation of his doubts. Through these two characters, Jean Rhys portrays how the theme of insanity is rather a quality that is attached to all Creole women, including Antoinette's mum, Anette and the circumstances that have brought them to this point of social vulnerability.Rochester feels superior towards Antoinette, not merely due to his victorian mentality of the opposite gender being less superior ; he senses Antoinette's unsureness of who she is and how she can act around him and other people , all the while struggling what side to move on. This as well as her early realisation of accepting her role as a woman in their society , being quiet, patient and cautious, enabled Rochester to gain more control of her identity and shift it to his needs.
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