Improved Thesis + one fully written Paragraph on cultural context influencing the characters sense of identity of Wide Sargasso sea

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. ‘

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.

outline

Prompt

‘Discuss the portrayal of insanity in Wide Sargasso Sea’

Characters to be discussed:

• Annette
• Antoinette
• Rochester
• Mason

Paragraph 1: intro + thesis

Thesis: ‘ In Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys depicts the theme of insanity as most intensively scrutinized concept which 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 of gender stereotypes and lastly the symbolism portrayed within the novel. ‘

Paragraph 2:  Patriarchal oppression of Rochester and Annette's husband Mason.

Topic Sentence:

Patriarchal power structures are evident within the novel through the portrayal of the characters Mr. Mason and Rochester. This is evident throughout the novel as the theme of gender and power are explored.

The portrayal of sanity is convicted within the novel through these characters, in which their harsh portrayals of oppression drive the protagonist to insanity.

Evidence within the text:

• Rochester’s personality due to his superiority toward Antoinette; this is portrayed through the way in treats her as though she is less of a person or isn’t as complex as him.

• “This was Antoinette. She spoke hesitatingly as if she expected me to refuse, so it was easy to do so.” - Rochester.  

• “Money is good but no money can pay for a crazy wife in your bed. Crazy and worse besides.”

• “Hail to the queen of the silent night, shine bright, shine bright Robin as you die” page 49 - could be symbolic of Antoinette's oppression as she is forced in a cage much like a bird would.

• The way he so cautiously avoided her presence, such as escaping to the pool for hours or going on long walks alone, this suggests he doesn’t actually want to be with her.

• “Stupid Little girl” - page 54,  this wasn’t aimed at Antoinette personally, yet it displays traits of his dominant character.

• “Die then! Die! I watched her die many times. In my way, not in hers.” - page 55, suggesting he has imagined her dying, such as he has caught her and already sees her life as hopeless, furthering the idea of oppression against Antoinette.

• “‘You are safe’ I’d say. She’d liked that - to be told ‘you are safe.’ Or I’d touch her face gently and touch her tears. Tears - nothing! Words - less than nothing. As for the happiness I gave her, that was worse than nothing. I did not love her.” Page 56.

Paragraph 3: Context of cultural context of gender stereotypes

Topic Sentence:

The cultural context of origin in this novel has an impact on the characters and their embodiment of their gender roles , as the contrasting societies of the Creole, West Indies and England evoke varying levels of self perception amongst the characters.

Evidence within the text:

• Antoinette is creole , but white and not wealthy : “she still rode about every morning not caring that the black people stood about in groups to jeer at her , especially after her riding clothes grew shabby (they notice clothes , they know about money)” Part 1, page 4.

• Rejected by society around her: “i never looked at any strange negro . they hated us. They called us white cockroaches. Let sleeping curs lie. One day a little girl followed me singing, ‘ go away white cockroach, go away , go away.’ I walked fast, but she walked faster. ‘ White cockroach, go away go away. Nobody want you . Go away.’ Part 1, page 7.

• Rejected by friend Tia: That’s not what she hear, she said. She hear all we poor like beggar. We ate salt fish - no money for fresh fish. That old hose so leaky, you run with calabash to catch water when it rain. Plenty white people in Jamaica. Real white people , they got old money. They didnt look at us, nobody see them come near us. Old time white people nothing but white nigger now , and black nigger better than white nigger. Part 1, page 8.

• Rejected by her mother : “ ‘oh let me alone’, she’d say, ‘let me alone’ and after i knew that she talked aloud to herself I was a little afraid of her.” Part 1, page 5.

Exploited for money : “dear father . the thirty thousand pounds have been paid to me without question or condition. No provision made for her (that must be seen to.) I have a modest competence now. I will never be a disgrace to you or to my dear brother, the son you love. Part 2, page 39.

• Paragraph 4: Symbolism portrayed within the novel

Topic Sentence:

Throughout the novel several symbols are embedded within the three parts of the novel. This is done so as they provide an in depth analysis of the characters and the

Evidence within the text:

• Part two, page 73: Scenery → “ It was a beautiful place- wild,untouched,above all untouched,with an alien,disturbing, secret loveliness. And it kept its secret”

• Part one, page 34: Fire → “ It was very hot on the glacis too, they roared as we came out, then there was another roar behind us. I had not seen any flames, only smoke and sparks,but now I saw tall flames shooting up to the sky, for the bamboos had caught.”

• Part one, page 37: Coco the parrot → “ I opened my eyes, everybody was looking up and pointing at Coco on the glacis railings with his feathers alight. He made an effort to fly down but his clipped wings failed him and he fell screeching. He was all on fire.”

• Part two, page 61: Clothing and hair → “ The dress was spotless but her uncovered hair, though it was oiled and braided into many small plaits, gave her a savage appearance”

Conclusion: summarize the three topic sentences

• Insanity
• Symbolism
• Oppression

Outline on Wide Sargasso Sea

Prompt A : The relationship between men and women, and the differences in their role in society, are central considerations in many works of literature. Discuss the part they plan in Wide Sargasso Sea.  

Paragraph 1 Intro + Thesis: 

• Introduce the context of the novel and how this is of importance in terms of the characters and their gender roles. ( Creole people, West indies, conflict between blacks and whites, sense of identity ; introduce main characters that will be discussed, Antoinette, Rochester and Christophine.)

• Bring in the thesis: Jean Rhys Wide Sargasso Sea exhibits the many faces of the late 1800d's Caribbean in an attempt to reveal to the audience the importance of identity at the time and how it often determined the individuals self perception in terms of gender roles in society. Through symbolism, several perspectives and cultural context, Rhys portrays the roles of men and women and how their characteristics were embodied through her main characters. 

• Conclude with a sentence that summarises what the essay will be discussing, roughly.

Paragraph 2: 

Antoinette, a creole girl , her husband Edward Rochester and her maid Christophine all exhibit varying characteristics of gender roles which depend on their cultural backgrounds , and more importantly to what extent each one of them places value and reliance on their heritage. 

-  Antoinette feels torn due to her skin color in contrast to her heritage and poverty , causing resentment from the public and her friend Tia

- Rochester places a lot of value on being of purebred English descent and consequently develops his self confidence as well as superiority over women in relation to his victorian sense of society

- Christophine , west indian, feels stable with who she is and where she's from, causing her to exhibit both the female and male characteristics of their roles in society. (has her own house, income, no husband, straight forward to masters)

Paragraph 3: 

Through providing three different perspectives in her novel, Jean Rhys strategically reveals each character and their opinions on the opposite sex as well as themselves. 

Book commences with Antoinette's perspective , part 2 is Grace pool  and perspective 3 would be Rochester. This shows different perspectives, providing more insight. 

Paragraph 4: 

Mention some of the symbolism evident within the book that signifies their gender role and how they perceive themselves in the society that they're in.


Paragraph 5:  Conclude the three main points of symbolism, cultural context and several perspectives and how they all serve as a way of revealing men and women in the society of Wide Sargasso Sea 

In what ways does Jean Rhys characterise Antoinette as an outsider in Part One of the novel and to what effect?

Jean Rhys choses to dedicate part 1 of her novel to the perspective of the main character, Antoinette. Through the symbolisation of setting , Rhys indulges in the depths of Antoinette's lonely but hopeful mind, constantly seeking refuge in the faces and shadows of familiar objects and places that remind her of better times ; they serve as a constant in contrast to the perpetual changes that threaten to tear her identity apart. Within them, Antoinette attempts to maintain her identity , or what is left of it , whole. 

Jean Rhys uses this part of the book as a way to attain a somewhat solid voice for Antoinette , as a way to compensate for the known stigma of Creole women being crazy and deceitful. Although Antoinette is clearly torn between two worlds, two identities , partly rejected by both sides , this part enables Rhys to fully express what Antoinette had been through and what had led her to become who she was, what she thought of the world and herself. It illustrates all the doubts, fears and hopes that Antoinette goes through , more than less alone. 

Jean demonstrates Antoinette as being an outsider through her relationship to her mother. She constantly attempts to have her show any type of affection towards her, however condition deteriorates up to the point where Antoinette realises it herself: "I hated this frown and once I touched her forehead trying to smooth it. But she pushed me away, not roughly, but calmly, coldly, without a word, as if she had decided once and for all that I was useless to her."  It is clear how compassionate Antoinette is, her intentions nothing but pure. 

"I never looked at any strange negro. They hated us. They called us white cockroaches." Antoinette may not have been aware of the particular reasons as to why a black girl would describe her as a cockroach and her 'friend' Tia saying: " Old time white people nothing but white nigger now, and black nigger better than white nigger." - however she was acutely aware of her reputation being linked to her financial status and her lack of a father or proper servants. Rhys uses the term 'nigger' as a form of profanity used against the whites, in this sense Antoinette and her family, in order to reflect on the change of racial issues. Slavery was no longer the norm , thus any whites that were not wealthy were immediately attacked and dragged down to the same level as blacks were. Through racial slurs thrown against Antoinette, even prominent within her own friends, Rhys begins to build her social identity as an outsider. 

Throughout Part 1, Antoinette becomes more and more distanced from the people around her, choosing nature's pain and objects over them, giving them her own interpretations of the value they carried. She often eavesdropped on others as her mother got married to a wealthy man, making her more and more aware of how she was losing her identity through their marriage and thus her worth. After having realised that neither her Creole or English side would ever fully accept her, she decides to retreat into herself, as that is the only place she knows that won't betray or abandon her. Through the descriptions of other, Rhys creates an atmosphere that makes it seem as though Antoinette is constantly behind a curtain, cautiously watching as the others go on with their lives ; their experiences more vibrant and eccentric than her existence as the girl with no identity. 

Sheikh al Junaydi

What does Sheik al Junaydi represent in The Thief and the Dogs? How is he significant to the characterization of Said Mahran? How does he contribute to the themes of the text? This should be a structured response, not answers to the individual prompts.

In the context of this novel, a Sheikh can be defined as a man that is respected for his piety or religious learning and with that, many admirable qualities such as wisdom, patience and humbleness. 

As with many stories, every main character is troubled and often seeks help from someone to attain advice. This can be seen all throughout the media , such as Kung Fu Panda and his relationship to Oogway (Shifu) , Yoda and Luke Skywalker in the Star wars series and Sean Maguire with Will in Goodwill Hunting. With these relationships in mind, a clearer idea emerges in terms of establishing what exactly Sheikh al Junaydi represents in The Thief and the Dogs. 

Sheikh al Junaydi first appearance in the novel takes place in Said's thoughts as he decides to visit the sheikh. Interestingly, Mahfouz introduces the Sheikh right after Said went through a traumatic experience that shattered all his hopes and ambitions ; he had been rejected by his daughter Sana and stripped off his valuables. 

" In this strange house no door was ever closed - to a single room. His heart beat fast , carrying him back to a distant , gentle time of childhood, dreams, a loving father , and his own innocent yearning. He recalled the men filling the courtyard, swaying with their chanting , Gods praise echoing from the depths of their hearts. "Look and listen, learn and open your heart," his father used to say.Besides a joy like the joy of Paradise  that was aroused in him by faith and dreams,there had also been the joy of singing and green tea. He wondered how Ali al Junaydi was."

This memory of Said is significant as it introduces a vulnerable and hopeful side of him , a side that will serve as an influence to Saids actions later on in the novel. More importantly, it also foreshadows the role that Sheikh al Junaydi will play in this novel. Said describes the house as a place where not a single door would ever be closed , implying his interpretation of the Sheikh and the ambiance he gives off ; a symbol of honesty and free thoughts. Said has a certain idea of this place and thus of the Sheikh , wherein he pictures it as a place of serenity and refugee from the grimness of the real world. Taking into consideration the situation that Said is in, this memory and individual is very sacred to him as they appear to be the only familiar thing left in his life , that aren't likely to let him down regardless of his actions. The Sheikh and his place serve as a constant to the ever changing aspects of Said's life; they are the buffer and  to his emotional break downs and witnesses to his major decisions in life. The Sheikhs presence is a representative of forgiveness versus revenge (said) and thus contributes to the major themes in this novel. 

The sheikh can be described as Said's character foil wherein he is constantly available for Said, an open ear to his troubles and deepest fears , an accepting mind with wisdom that he shares with Said, although the latter often remains angry and confused as he doesn't understand him. This could reflect on his inability to accept the truth as it is and his need to construct his own truth. The Sheikh is seen as a moralistically forceful individual that Said compares himself to in his time of troubles, wishing he could feel what it was like with "purity in his face and love in his eyes" as he recalls the Sheikh. Throughout the novel, Said often wonders how the Sheikh manages to be so calm patient, his mind on other matters, deviating from the worldly concerns. As we learn Said is very consumed with the world and its obstacles he plans to overthrow in his life, driven by rage and a hunger for revenge, whereas the Sheikh perceives the world as a stream of events that one must learn from and thus grow with instead of being pulled into them. It is as though he levitates through life, his strings to whats above stronger attached to the ones binding Said to the ground. 

thesis statement

In Thief and the Dogs, Mahfouz’s motives behind certain actions are exhibited through Saids stream of consciousness, which in turn causes the audience  to ponder on personal moral values in terms of justifying Saids actions. 

Sa'id as a Tragic Hero

What is Sa'ids tragic flaw?

Saids tragic flaw is his inability to account himself for his own wrongdoing. He constantly blames others for his actions, even when the blame is clearly on him.  

"And what about my wife and my fortune, you mangy dogs! I'll show you. Just wait." 

(Chapter 1 page 19). 

Here Sa'id had just encountered his enemy, Ilish who currently resided with his ex-wife. As he was greeted by him and as the officer confronted him about why exactly he had come back, the given thought runs through his mind. Sa'id feels that in a sense his wife was his property , that she had been taken away from him just as much as his fortune. What he doesn't take into consideration is the fact that his wife had cheated on him and no longer wished to be associated with him as they had led a life of theft and misconduct ; his wife was not his to keep. His fortune is entirely criminally acquired and as such can't be described as either a fortune let alone his fortune. In effect Sa'id blames others for his own short comings, pretending as though he has been wronged when in reality he was reaping exactly what he sowed ; his bad deeds.  

How does he display excessive pride?

He expresses excessive pride wherein he puts himself on a pedestal    when it comes to the crimes he commits (burglary, murder) and justifies it, whereas he shuns others for the same , if not more righteous, actions. This can be seen when he talks to Rauf and ironically questions him about his conscience. 

"I wonder if you ever admit , even to yourself, that you betrayed me. Maybe you've deceived yourself as much as you try to deceive others. Hasn't your conscience bothered you even in the dark? I wish I could penetrate your soul as easily as I've penetrated your house , that house of mirrors and objets d'art , but I suppose I'd find nothing but betrayal there." 

(Chapter 4 page 47)

Not only does he ask Rauf whether or not he admits to his own faults , he also identifies the possibility of Rauf having tried to deceive himself , to justify his actions. Interestingly enough those faults both reflect back on Sa'id, how he betrays people who trust him and how he tells himself continuously that his actions are righteous. He even addresses Rauf's conscience , deviating from his own. This demonstrates his pride for himself and how he refuses to accept that he may be more flawed than anyone else he's accused. What takes the cake is the thought that comes after, of breaking into his house and  stealing his riches. The fact that he feels justified to do so shows his skewed perception of a balance of right and wrong. 

When is his reversal of fortunes?

When Sa'id accidentally shoots the wrong man and only realises the next day as he reads it on the newspaper. He had wanted to kill Ilish to have revenge and scare his ex wife for the rest of her life, to make her regret her cheating on him. 

"A failure. It was insane. And pointless. The rope would be after him now,while Ilish sat , safe and secure. The truth was as clear as  the bottom of an open tomb."

(Chapter 8 pge 81)

At his point Sa'id is acutely aware of his failure and perhaps in this instance he for once, acknowledges the fact that his thirst for revenge has gotten in the way of carrying out his plan correctly. He realises that after this, he'd no longer be safe and that he can't justify his actions after all. Describing the truth to the bottom of an open tomb symbolizes not only his understanding of being doomed but also his implication that the truth will lead him to his death. This specific thought decides how he choses to deal with his problems for the rest of the novel. He is now convinced that in order to escape death, prison , his consequences , he must pretend as though he hadn't failed as drastically and that as long as he refused to believe the truth, he was safe. 

At what point in the text does he recognise the reversal was due to his own actions?

When he has a nightmare , that is when he begins to realise the consequences of his actions. His dream has everything going against him and when he wakes up, the world seems empty and meaningless to him. 

"He dreamt that he was in jail, being whipped despite his good conduct , screaming shamelessly, but not offering any resistance."

Being whipped despite being innocent could be Sa'ids subconscious telling him that he WAS in fact at fault and even though his conscious self did admit to it, his guilt was concealed in the whipping of innocence. 

"Said sat up hurriedly, and looked apologetic , assailed by memories that rushed into his mind like roaring flames"

(Chapter 8 page 77-78)

Even when Sa'id wakes up, the guilt follows him into reality. His first instinct is to sit up quickly and appear as innocent as possibly, his actions making that evident. It is not his usual self to express any humble emotions and as such this scene makes it all the more obvious that he feels guilty about his actions. The memories rushing into his mind like roaring flames could be a symbol for him having to face hellfire due to his bad deeds and his conscience telling him so. 

Is his fate greater than he deserved?

His fate was what he deserved as he took two innocent lives , and even if he had killed the right person it would be just as flawed , misused a loyal friend by putting himself in danger constantly and the fact that he thinks he is justified. 

Sai'd is doomed from the start because as he emerges prison his daughter rejects him ; his only hope.

He doesn’t blame himself for his flaws, rather he blames everyone else and seeks revenge.

He perceives himself as noble and righteous, that killing and stealing from others would benefit everyone else. 

His story arouses fear as he constantly puts himself in risky situations and doesn’t realise whats headed for him and empathy because of all the misfortune that has happened to him, especially his daughters rejection. he is spiritually wounded because he turns to God at times but then faces bad luck and doesn’t seem to understand that his own actions are what lead him to all the bad situations. He never learns from his mistakes because all he can see is taking revenge. Finally,  he dies thinking that he will defeat the police men.