Rebecca Context

Question 1

Post WW1 & Interwar Period

Answer 1

time of sig soc & pol chnage - mem of WW1 = fresh & threat of WW2 - trauma & pysch impacts of WW1 influence many aspects of soc - GRs, class strucs & attitudes towards auth

Question 2

The Great Depression

Answer 2

econ struggles of 1930s affected many ppl in Eur & USA - not central theme in R but seen thro portrayal of charas soc & class status - partic difs between wealthier charas lower class

Question 3

Rise of Fascism & Precarious Peace

Answer 3

w/ rise of fascist regimes in Eur = pol tension & fear of war - not overtly ref but climate of instability permeates the novel - contribs to sense of dread & uncer

Question 4

English Upper Class

Answer 4

novel deals w/ themes of soc class, status & inheri wealth particularly in Maxim - novel often seen as crit of UC & reigid behav codes & the iso & repression that comes with/ it

Question 5

Gender Roles

Answer 5

women confined to trad roles - Nar = young inexper & has to navi complex soc expecs of being UC wife - explores gender power dynamics, female insec
R = portrayed as perfect & dom figure whose presence haunts soc strucs around her

Question 6

Marriage & Social Expectations

Answer 6

protrayal reflects soc expecs
not just personal rela but also soc contract dictated by class, wealth, & power = pressure on nar to live up to R reflects how women = judged X just by personal quals but also ability to fulfill soc roles

Question 7

Psychological & Emotional Struggles

Answer 7

explores mental health thro Nar
iso anxiety & iden = prom - reflect broader soc interest in psych well being growing in early C20

Question 8

Upper Class & Media

Answer 8

UC had enjoyed protection by journalists - didn’t publish scandals - tabloid & gossip newspapers changing this - shows reality of Maxims fear for his reputation

Question 9

Gothic Tradition

Answer 9

atmosphere & brooding setting, mysterious & supernat force - R & sense of entrapment - envokes archetypal gothic elements of mystery darkness & uncanny where past haunts present

Question 10

Romantic & Psychological Literature

Answer 10

unreliable nar - unnamed protag pov = limited & subjective = suspense & ambiguity - engages w/ ideas of iden self perception & psych trauma

Question 11

Classic Literature

Answer 11

influ by Jane Eyre & Wuthering Heights
dom 1st wife mirrors role of mad woman in attic in JE

Question 12

Feminist Critique

Answer 12

mod readings often engage w/ its crits of restrictive female roles in early C20 & power dynams - nars journey can been seen as path of self discovery confront soc expecs of fem iden & auntom

Question 13

Role of Nature & Setting

Answer 13

DM had connection w/ cornish coast influ atmospheric setting of R - based on Menabiliy

Question 14

Du Maurier’s Life

Answer 14

complex rela w/ fam - shaped explor of fam dymans & personal iden - haunting past & fam secrets echo own experience of fam legacy & role of women