Wide Sargasso Sea
Wide Sargasso Sea is the story of Antoinette Cosway as she becomes the wife of Mr. Rochester in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. Rhys creates a childhood and environment to explain Antoinette’s wild “unladylike” behaviour in Jane Eyre. She creates situations that lead to Antionette’s insanity and lets her act out this madness well before she commits arson in Jane Eyre.
Antoinette is a Creole living in Jamaica amongst friends, family and staff who resent her family’s presence and, like her mother, is driven mad by rumours and abandonment. Although she gives Mr. Rochester the option not to marry her (how very modern!), he is oblivious to her history. Descriptions of Antionette’s home are very vivid – changing from pure Eden, to a violent and cursed trap. This Penguin student edition is particularly useful given the amount of Creole and British slang used throughout the book.
A great read for all fans of strong female characters!
Posted by Elizabeth W @ Nanaimo Harbourfront
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