Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Francis Wyndham (Introduction)

Metaphor for colonialismby HemaG

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October 18, 2008: Mr. Rochester and Antoinette's relationship is symbolic of colonialism in the Caribbean. Rochester represents England while Antoinette represents the Caribbean who he colonizes and ultimately takes over, uses and exploits her and at the end, he discards her. He tries to take away her identity by changing her name to one that she vehemently rejects. This is indicative of the renaming of slaves by slave owners. Antoinette does her best not to be deprived of probably the only thing she owns by resisting this: ?Bertha is not my name. You are trying to make me into someone else, calling me by another name. I know that is obeah too.? Rochester uses his power over Antoinette as husband, man and Master. He attempts through emotional means, but in vain to change the Caribbean Creole Antoinette into the English Bertha.

The relationship between Annette and Mr. Mason is a foreshadowing of the events in Antoinette?s future. Mr. Mason was captivated by Annette?s beauty and like Rochester he did not take the time to know his wife?s inner beauty. He does not listen to his wife?s opinions concerning slave revolt, showing his authoritative English nature, where he believes in white superiority. He believes that the slaves are like harmless children, but is proven wrong when Coulibri Estate is set on fire. Due to his ignorance, Pierre, Annette?s son who is mentally and physically disabled dies. This sends an already emotionally unstable woman, insane. Mr. Mason abandons all responsibility of Annette and Antoinette after the fire and sends her (Annette) to live with a black couple who allegedly humiliate and abuse her emotionally. Rhys shows the vulnerability of women in this novel and their naive emotional and physical dependence on men.

I Also Recommend: Things Fall Apart, Disgrace, Annie John, The Mimic Men, Surfacing.

Not as good as Jane Eyreby Anonymous

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April 08, 2008: 'Wide Sargasso Sea' is an admirable attempt to shed light on the ill-fated wife of Mr. Rochester from 'Jane Eyre,' but it somehow doesn't capture the literary depth in which Bront? delivered in her novel.