Throughout the novel Wide Sargasso Sea, it is observable how insanity is a product of social oppression, when characters such as Antoinette are no able to adapt to a new culture or different set of customs due to the presence of her own culture that is so ingrained in herself.
The theme of insanity in Wide Sargasso Sea is a theme that to a certain extent can be justified. For instance, the situation in which Antoinette's mother is involved, is a situation that affects her attitude, her personality ( over time), and the way she way she interacts with the other characters in the story. First off it is important to see the racial conflict between the white European descendants, and the emancipated back community. Even though in the case of the Antoinette's mother that European stereotype is not present, being white is a racial fact that automatically makes the black community to be against her. In addition to this, her attitude of despising most of the individuals in the novel, even more the black servants notably, is a fact that must be linked to her insanity, and her mental climax, in which she later on loses the composure, not even recognizing her own daughter.
In addition to this, expanding on the theme of insanity when looking at Antoinette's mother, her lack of will when it comes to staying strong, and facing the situation is a message that in some way foreshadows, a message that is implied in the story. If we contrast Mr. Mason's attitude with Antoinette's mother attitude, we see how he is able to bear with better way better than Antoinette's mother. On the other hand it must also be understood that Mr. Mason has not been exposed to a society that only holds hatred against him for such a long time, when comparing to Antoinette's mother reality. In addition to this, having to raise two children that do not have a father figure might as well be one of the facts that in some way justify her later on state of insanity, depression.
In Antoinette's case, partial identity, being forced to adapt to a different culture, and not being able to identify herself with a specific society is the major factor that influences her temporary insanity. Throughout the novel, we are able to observe how, in part 1, Antoinette's partial identity is factor that is not directly addressed by her, even though later on she realizes that she has to face this factor, and face the reality before being able to emotionally move on.
( Expand on Rochester's mental, and later on physical oppression)
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Prompt A
The relationship between men and woman, 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.
Throughout the novel Wide Sargasso sea, the roles of the the men and women in society are set, since men are portrayed as the ones that economically contribute to the family, whereas women are portrayed as the ones that take care of the children, and keep the house under control.
During part A, before Mr Mason marries Antoinette's mum, it is displayed how Antoinette's mother plays the role of the bossy figure in the house, that despises most of the servants, if not all, and only gives commands, and instructions. On the other hand, even though being a widow, most of the male servants are the ones that carryout the tasks related to land, and physical work. As an example we see how Godfrey is in charge of the horse, even though being an old individual, taking care of a horse requires continued movement of heavy amounts of straw, cleaning feces, or simply, educating the horse, which requires a lot of energy. On the other hand Stephine plays the role of the babysitter that does not leave the house often, and that takes care of the children, even more than the mother. Therefore through the role of the servants, the set roles men and women can be seen.
Through contrasts between Antoinette's mother and Mr. Mason, and Antoinette and Mr. Rochester, it is pretty perceivable how women in general are able to feel the racial conflicts better than men. In this novel men are portrayed as the naive sex, when it comes to understanding racial conflicts between the white Europeans, and the back community.
First off, contrasting Mr. Mason with Antoinette's mother, Mr. Mason is a character in the story that is not really able to feel the atmosphere, and recognize the racial conflict between the white European descents, and the black servant community. Being from England, black servitude for him, is a pretty common thing, although failing to understand how perspectives changed after the emancipation act, is feature that is clearly contrasting when looking at the attitude of Antoinette's mother. Mr. Mason is the one that economically maintains the family, and the one that keeps going travelling to Engloand back and forth, whereas Antoinette's mother is the one that stays in the West Indies all the time. Having spent many years in the West Indies, and being from white European land owners, is what allows Antoinette's mother to really feel the conflict that is going on between the black community and the white European decedents.
In addition to this, in part two, again this is pretty much reflected in Mr. Rocherster's lack of familiarity with the West Indies' culture and atmosphere. Antoinette is portrayed as the character that perceives the nature in a pretty friendly, and comforting way, whereas Mr. Rochester is that undecided husband that feels as if everything around him was his enemy. This lack of adaptation, and lack of knowledge of the culture is what later on does not allow Antoinette to be herself, since Mr. Rochester incapable of getting used to her, decides to enforce the English culture to her.
Throughout the novel Wide Sargasso sea, the roles of the the men and women in society are set, since men are portrayed as the ones that economically contribute to the family, whereas women are portrayed as the ones that take care of the children, and keep the house under control.
During part A, before Mr Mason marries Antoinette's mum, it is displayed how Antoinette's mother plays the role of the bossy figure in the house, that despises most of the servants, if not all, and only gives commands, and instructions. On the other hand, even though being a widow, most of the male servants are the ones that carryout the tasks related to land, and physical work. As an example we see how Godfrey is in charge of the horse, even though being an old individual, taking care of a horse requires continued movement of heavy amounts of straw, cleaning feces, or simply, educating the horse, which requires a lot of energy. On the other hand Stephine plays the role of the babysitter that does not leave the house often, and that takes care of the children, even more than the mother. Therefore through the role of the servants, the set roles men and women can be seen.
Through contrasts between Antoinette's mother and Mr. Mason, and Antoinette and Mr. Rochester, it is pretty perceivable how women in general are able to feel the racial conflicts better than men. In this novel men are portrayed as the naive sex, when it comes to understanding racial conflicts between the white Europeans, and the back community.
First off, contrasting Mr. Mason with Antoinette's mother, Mr. Mason is a character in the story that is not really able to feel the atmosphere, and recognize the racial conflict between the white European descents, and the black servant community. Being from England, black servitude for him, is a pretty common thing, although failing to understand how perspectives changed after the emancipation act, is feature that is clearly contrasting when looking at the attitude of Antoinette's mother. Mr. Mason is the one that economically maintains the family, and the one that keeps going travelling to Engloand back and forth, whereas Antoinette's mother is the one that stays in the West Indies all the time. Having spent many years in the West Indies, and being from white European land owners, is what allows Antoinette's mother to really feel the conflict that is going on between the black community and the white European decedents.
In addition to this, in part two, again this is pretty much reflected in Mr. Rocherster's lack of familiarity with the West Indies' culture and atmosphere. Antoinette is portrayed as the character that perceives the nature in a pretty friendly, and comforting way, whereas Mr. Rochester is that undecided husband that feels as if everything around him was his enemy. This lack of adaptation, and lack of knowledge of the culture is what later on does not allow Antoinette to be herself, since Mr. Rochester incapable of getting used to her, decides to enforce the English culture to her.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
In what ways does Jean Rhys characterize Antoinette as an outsider in Part one of the novel and to what effect?
Before this prompt can be addressed some information regarding context must be understood. In what concerns context, we are located in the West Indies, after the Emancipation Act occurs, therefore this era is a period of time in which two distinct and confronted social classes are being mentioned, are being made part of the story. These two social classes are the white European rich slave owners, and the black community who is freed from forced labor.
At this point, relating this information to the prompt, Antoinette cannot be included in any of these social classes. Being from European descent, Antoinette lives with her mum and brother in the West Indies,Jamaica being specific, where her mother inherited the possession of land, and territory. Therefore, after the Emancipation act, it can be said that Antoinette as well as her mother are the legacy of white European slave owners who are now confronted to slaves that have finally being freed. In contrast with the white European rich land owners, Antoinette's family faces economic problems, which in some way excludes her from this social class, while in addition to this, the British culture does not have anything to do with her, since she is raised in the West Indies.
In part one, it is visible how seeing white foreign people is a strange thing for Antoinette, which is portrayed when visitors visit her mother at their house, when she decides to hide in her bedroom, being ashamed of her looks. In addition to this, the way that Antoinette views Mr Mason naivety regarding the attitude of the black community is another evidence that shows how she does not share the same opinion, and values that Mr Mason has due to culture difference.
On the other hand even though Antoinette is raised in the West Indies, the black community,does not see her as a person originally from there. Evidence from the text that portrays this is Antoinette's relationship with Tia. Tia is a young girl from the black community that becomes Antoinette's best friend. Regardless of their differences, Antoinette and Tia enjoy a good friendship, although at one point of the story social values and differences ingrained in the personalities of the girls start to arise, which end up complicating the friendship.
The overall message that Jean Rhys portrays through this evidence is Antoinette's hybridity. What this mean is that despite being raised in the West Indies, Antoinette is of European descent, which means that just because of the fact of being white she is not fully accepted by the black community. This is seen when Tia throws a rock to Antoinette while crying, which portrays the fact that for Tia it is hard to lose her friendship with Antoinette, while at the same time the cultural value of her community force her to throw the rock at Antoinette.
Antoinette's lack of origin, or identity is a major theme in the story, which is considered to be an internal conflict, this conflict must be solved before she can get involved into serious responsibilities such as marriage .
Before this prompt can be addressed some information regarding context must be understood. In what concerns context, we are located in the West Indies, after the Emancipation Act occurs, therefore this era is a period of time in which two distinct and confronted social classes are being mentioned, are being made part of the story. These two social classes are the white European rich slave owners, and the black community who is freed from forced labor.
At this point, relating this information to the prompt, Antoinette cannot be included in any of these social classes. Being from European descent, Antoinette lives with her mum and brother in the West Indies,Jamaica being specific, where her mother inherited the possession of land, and territory. Therefore, after the Emancipation act, it can be said that Antoinette as well as her mother are the legacy of white European slave owners who are now confronted to slaves that have finally being freed. In contrast with the white European rich land owners, Antoinette's family faces economic problems, which in some way excludes her from this social class, while in addition to this, the British culture does not have anything to do with her, since she is raised in the West Indies.
In part one, it is visible how seeing white foreign people is a strange thing for Antoinette, which is portrayed when visitors visit her mother at their house, when she decides to hide in her bedroom, being ashamed of her looks. In addition to this, the way that Antoinette views Mr Mason naivety regarding the attitude of the black community is another evidence that shows how she does not share the same opinion, and values that Mr Mason has due to culture difference.
On the other hand even though Antoinette is raised in the West Indies, the black community,does not see her as a person originally from there. Evidence from the text that portrays this is Antoinette's relationship with Tia. Tia is a young girl from the black community that becomes Antoinette's best friend. Regardless of their differences, Antoinette and Tia enjoy a good friendship, although at one point of the story social values and differences ingrained in the personalities of the girls start to arise, which end up complicating the friendship.
The overall message that Jean Rhys portrays through this evidence is Antoinette's hybridity. What this mean is that despite being raised in the West Indies, Antoinette is of European descent, which means that just because of the fact of being white she is not fully accepted by the black community. This is seen when Tia throws a rock to Antoinette while crying, which portrays the fact that for Tia it is hard to lose her friendship with Antoinette, while at the same time the cultural value of her community force her to throw the rock at Antoinette.
Antoinette's lack of origin, or identity is a major theme in the story, which is considered to be an internal conflict, this conflict must be solved before she can get involved into serious responsibilities such as marriage .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)