Rhys' Dramatic Methods & Concerns

Question 1

General essay intro.

Answer 1

Rhys’ novel, Wide Sargasso Sea is a work that challenges traditional notions of identity, race, reality, truth and gender, particularly in the context of postcolonial literature. In this extract from [somewhere in the novel], Rhys explores themes of [x, y, z] through her characteristic use of [x, y, z].

Question 2

General essay conclusion.

Answer 2

In conclusion, **through its exploration of **the themes of [x, y, z], the passage (and by extension, the novel) stands as a poignant testament that illuminates the darkest corners of the human experience. Through powerful prose & a subversion of traditional storytelling techniques, Rhys creates a narrative that transcends time & place, resonating with readers across generations.

Question 3

Rhys’ Dramatic Methods & Concerns.

Answer 3

• Multiple Perspectives
• Fragmentation - break narratives into irregular pieces, reflecting the fractured identities & displaced lives of characters
• Stream of Consciousness
• Setting - mirrors the psychological states of characters
• Language & Voice - lyrical & evocative, employs Caribbean dialects & rhythms

Question 4

Themes in Wide Sargasso Sea. (15)

Answer 4

• Madness
• Racial Tensions
• Women’s Struggle for Identity
• Isolation
• Alienation
• Memory
• Dreams
• Subjectivity of truth
• Nature
• Gothic - hauntings & ghost-like imagery
• Elements of the supernatural & Obeah
• Patriarchy (oppression in male-female relationships)
• Otherness
• Parental relationships - Annette & Antoinette, Rochester & his father
• Betrayal

Question 5

Symbols & motifs in Wide Sargasso Sea.

Answer 5

• Fire
• The looking-glass
• Nature
• Laughter
• Red dress / white dress
• Clothing & Appearance