Outline paragraph

Several symbols are embedded throughout the three parts of the novel, providing the readers with an in depth analysis of both the characters and the setting. These symbols guide the readers and offer understanding, regarding the role of the patriarchal power structures, and how they impact the gender role of the Creole society. Edward Rochester is the stereotypical Englishman, he believes that his perceptions and values are superior when it comes to those of his wife Antoinette. Rochester states on page 61, in the second part of the novel “The dress was spotless but her uncovered hair, though it was oiled and braided into many small plaits, it gave her a savage appearance”. Hence proving how he views his wife as a savage, simply because her hair was plaited, not considering that such a thing was normal in the Caribbean. Rochester is unwilling to open his eyes and see past his racial prejudice that has been ingrained into him. Alongside this, due to Rochester being alienated in an environment he does not fully understand; “It was a beautiful place- wild, untouched, above all untouched, with an alien, disturbing, secret loveliness. And it kept its secret” causes the readers to believe that simply not fitting in, and understanding everything around him, his opinions were strengthened further.

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. Through doing so, the readers are provided with an in depth analysis of both the characters and the setting.

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

Essay outline

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.

Thesis:

Jean Rhys uses the conventions of the late 1800's to portray the difference in gender roles in the Caribbean society. Through the use of narration of both Antoinette and Edward Rochester, she delivers both sides of the situation (the slave owner and the slave relationship). Through doing so as the audience, we are provided with the opportunity to further our understanding of how the Caribbean society distinguished between the roles of the opposing genders and how it impacts the novels final message. In order to do so, narration, context and characters will be further examined.

Topic Sentence 1:

In order to establish the concept “there is always two sides to every story”, Jean Rhys includes two narrators to tell the story of Antoinette Mason ( Antoinette and Edward Rochester). Through doing so the two genders perspective is presented, hence providing us with various insights into how every situation is viewed.

Examples:

* Part two of the novel → When Rochester describes how he views Amelie, he views himself as an almighty figure

* Part one of the novel → When Antoinette discusses how she feels alienated from her community, how she is treated as an outcast by everyone due to her racial background

Topic Sentence 2:

The novel is influenced by several cultural factors, however the events take place in the Caribbean. The context provides us with insight into the colonial ownership throughout the novel.

Examples:

* Part one of the novel → When Mason disregards Antoinette's mothers worries regarding their safety. Mason believes that he knows what is happening and that the family is safe

* Part two of the novel → How Rochester constantly finds ways to find flaws within his wife, always finds ways to belittle her. She does not fit his archetype of a Victorian woman

* Racial prejudice

Topic Sentence 3:

Not all characters within the text conform to their gender role. There are characters present who unconsciously rebel against what is expected of them.

Examples:

*Christophine is one who strays away from her gender role. She is presented as a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to speak her mind

Antoinette Character Blog Post

Jean Rhys presents the first part of the novel from the protagonist Antoinette's perspective, this is done so in order for us ( as the readers) to establish a clearer state of mind. Meaning that through reading the beginning of the novel from Antoinette's point of view, we should be capable of understanding where she is coming from and why she says and does what she does. Furthermore, we are presented with a first hand opportunity to observe how the whites felt in terms of their treatment by the blacks. Although not pleasant we are able to comprehend why the blacks had such a strong hatred towards the whites (after all they were enslaved by them).

Antoinette is presented to the reader as a young Creole girl who is both solitary and reactive. Within the first part of the novel, Antoinette is one who is not capable of maintaining not only her own mother's love but also her companionship with her friends and family. This was established in the very beginning of the novel, Antoinette knew from a young age that she did not “fit in”. Herself and her family were alienated from their community simply due to their skin color. Antoinette was the white daughter of an ex-slaver owner who now lived in Coulibri Estate with her mother, brother and their servants after her fathers death. No one welcomed the Cosway's with open arms upon their arrival to Coulibri Estate, on page 20 Antoinette states “ I never looked at any strange negro. They hated us. They called us white cockroaches. Let sleeping dogs lie. One day a little girl followed me singing, "Go away white cockroach, go away, go away." ”. Hence displaying the latent hostility Antoinette and her family were subjected towards, alongside dealing with the black community's mistreatment. Whilst further emphasising on the racial conflicts that were present during that time and how the whites were viewed by the opposing race.

Bringing everything back to the simple concept of racial conflict. It was due to not being willing to accept one another as equals that such vulgar insults were projected onto the whites and the blacks. Calling an individual a “white cockroach” or a “nigger” is not the way to go about resolving conflicts, rather it just makes matters worse.