The Haunting Legacy of Rebecca at Manderly: A Deep Dive into Chapters 1-12
Posted on Aug 4, 2024 in English
Rebecca: Chapters 1-3
Initial Impressions
Nature is introduced in a stealthy and insidious manner, almost despised. The abandoned Manderly house, with its dead plants, further emphasizes this sense of neglect and decay.
Mood and Atmosphere
The mood is undeniably dreary and dark, with words like “terrace,” “twisted,” and “bastard” painting a bleak picture of the setting. This suggests a tragic event, perhaps even a death, has occurred at Manderly.
The Narrator’s Persona
The unnamed narrator appears lifeless and clueless, masking a hidden depth and a possible secret. This air of mystery hints at a complex past and unresolved issues.
Introducing Mrs. Danvers
The first named character, Mrs. Danvers, exudes an air of superiority and coldness. Her judgmental nature sets the stage for potential conflict.
The Narrator’s Transformation
The narrator reveals a personal transformation, shedding her shyness and embracing confidence. Her physical appearance reflects this change, suggesting a newfound maturity and hopefulness.
Enter Max de Winter
Max de Winter, the owner of Manderly, is introduced. His reserved nature contrasts with the gossiping Mrs. Van Hopper, highlighting his discomfort with social expectations.
A Mysterious Letter
The chapter ends with a curious detail: a letter addressed to the narrator with her name spelled correctly, a detail seemingly unknown to others, deepening the mystery surrounding her identity.
Rebecca: Chapters 4-6
Manderly’s Shadow
Manderly’s mention evokes visible distress in Max, hinting at painful memories associated with the place.
The Narrator’s Role
The narrator’s identity remains hidden, adding to the suspense. She is revealed to be Mrs. Van Hopper’s paid companion, emphasizing her loneliness and vulnerability.
Rebecca’s Fate
The chapter reveals Rebecca’s death by drowning in a bay near Manderly, explaining Max’s aversion to the place. This revelation raises questions about the circumstances surrounding her demise.
A Misunderstood Connection
Max’s anger stems from the narrator’s misinterpretation of his intentions. His insistence on being called “Maxim” signifies a deeper level of intimacy he desires.
An Unexpected Proposal
Maxim’s sudden proposal, while unexpected, highlights his seriousness and desire for companionship. However, the narrator’s eagerness to accept despite barely knowing him raises concerns about her naivety.
The Shadow of the Past
Maxim’s reluctance to discuss the past, coupled with his comparison of the narrator to his late wife, foreshadows potential conflicts and insecurities.
Rebecca: Chapters 7-9
Arrival at Manderly
The newly married couple arrives at Manderly after a seven-week honeymoon. The narrator’s awe at the estate’s grandeur is juxtaposed with an underlying sense of unease.
Mrs. Danvers’ Cold Welcome
Mrs. Danvers’ intimidating presence and evident disapproval of the new Mrs. de Winter create a palpable tension. Her coldness and constant comparisons to Rebecca fuel the narrator’s insecurities.
Life at Manderly
is a lot different and new for the narrator. She is still adjusting and trying hard to get with the flow and fit in
0.She describes the room as very well kept and very clean and original. She easily recognizes the fact she is taking someone’s place.
0.”she who sat here before me had not wasted her time, as I was doing”, she had not said, ” yes Mrs. Danvers,” and ” No, Mrs. Danvers,” as I had done”, and ” Mrs. De Winter always used the morning room. There is a good fire in there. Of course if you should wish to have the fire in the library as well I will give orders for it to be lit.”
CHAPTER 9
0.Max’s brother in law and sister in law returned back home when he wasn’t there and the narrator ran away in hiding until Max returned. She contemplated jumping out the window to avoid conversation.
0.She asks ” As long as the bay currents are not too strong, Is the bathing safe in the bay?” Everyone is sort of caught off guard with this because normally no one dare bring up the bay where Rebecca drown. The narrator is not thinking clearly and is being stupid to bring that up.
0.Beatrice wanted them to live happy lives together and love eachother, but she knows deep down that Max will never get over his strong love for Rebecca. I think it is possible for them to grow in love together, as long as they can both let go of the past.
0.Beatrice is not afraid to hide her feelings and is real with people, she shows anger without holding back. On the other hand, Max keeps his feelings to himself and reserves them. He isn’t angry often but when he is it’s hard for him to overcome. Beatrice shows her anger clearly but overcomes it very quickly.
0.She says that Mrs. Danvers dislikes the narrators’ presence and she still wishes Rebecca were there. She loved Rebecca so much and cannot accept the fact she is gone and brings about vibes of jealousy and resentment.
0.The narrator is still immature, this is shown when she avoided socializing with people and taking part in conversation with them. She knows her life is going to be way more simple now and Manderly is her safe haven. This moment of realization is far more important to her than anyone else because of her fears of not being good enough as Rebecca was.
0.Beatrice is tall with broad shoulders. She has no filter and says whatever is on her mind. She keeps pushing the narrator to be the best version of herself, unlike the other characters she is very motivating toward the narrator. She is honest and nosy (blunt) too.
CHAPTER 10
0.Happy Valley is very beautiful and private, there are flowers and pretty lights and streams, it smells like azaleas.
0.It made her feel very enchanted in the moment, she’s been through A lot lately so it’s kept her mind off things.
0.We can infer that he is mentally challenged and a little slow.
0.Max is justified in being angry because of what happened in Manderly, he is very sad and the way he reacted shows this clearly.
0.He was acting like the child in this scene, this is ironic because usually the narrator is the immature one.
0.The handkerchief reminds the narrator of Happy Valley, the azaleas from there remind her of the scent of the perfume.
CHAPTER 11
0.This quote represents Maxs’ sort of changing personality and The memory of Rebecca and her death which never goes away.
0. If I was told this it would make me think about everything more deeply and question things more. This thought would remain in the back of my mind and I would want to talk about these things more.
0.I think that people are comparing her to Rebecca without her knowing, however she is exaggerating it a lot into a negative way.
0.The bishops wife makes the narrator doubt herself by agreeing she was good at sports, pretty, and a good party thrower. The narrator isolates herself from all the company, they compare her to Rebecca and talk about her behind her back.
0.The cottage also ended being used as a escape way from people and for moonlight picnics to better fulfill her happiness.
0. Rebecca died by drowning in the lake where the boat house was.
0.Frank answers all of our narrators unanswered questions.
0.I think he’s response is what everyone else is thinking but has been unsaid. CHAPTER 12
0.The narrator is shy and intimidated by Alice.
0.Claire is young and new to working in Manderly,
0.It is reasonable for the character to feel like this because she is being compared to Rebecca constantly.
0.She is not making the same decisions as Rebecca, she is new and thinks differently compared to her.
0.It was important because it was very expensive and it was a wedding gift for Rebecca and Maxims’ marriage. It is almost like the new things are breaking and destroying the old.
0.They are, again comparing Rebecca to the narrator and how the narrator is particular about certain things. They are blaming her for the broken china.
0.The narrator seems more motivated and involved in the relationship compared to Maxim. It seems as if he is marrying her for other reasons.
71. Max treats the dog Jasper as a normal pet, he doesn’t think too much about him but still shows affection.
