Portrayal of Insanity in Wide Sargasso Sea

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)