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.