In the following, the Gothic elements in "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier will be examined and the main characters will be analysed: every character in the novel represents a different type of social class of people with different habits and living standards. Therefore, I am going to interpret these types with their qualities and debilities and figure out the actuality in du Maurier’s characters. After that, my focus will be on the comparison between the novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and the film adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock. In order to compare them, I will search for parallels or common features, and differences between the novel and the film.
Daphne du Maurier is widely known for her Gothic novels and short stories. Unaffected by the literary fashions of her days, she wrote simple narratives that appealed to the reader’s love of adventure, fantasy, sensuality and mystery. Her novel "Rebecca", published in 1938, was probably her most famous novel. It has never gone out of print and is one of the great international bestsellers. Du Maurier began writing it at a difficult point in her life: it was only a few years after the death of her adored father, she was pregnant with her second child and her husband, an officer in the Grenadier Guards, had been posted with his battalion. Her homesickness and her resignation about her wifely duties, together with a guilty sense of her own ineptness, were elements she included in her Gothic romance Rebecca. The novel’s iconic opening line was born out of du Maurier’s own preoccupation with Menabilly, a country house in Cornwall, which was later the inspiration for Manderley in Rebecca.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Plot Summary
3. Rebecca as a Gothic Novel
4. Characterisation of the Main Characters and Reference to Social Classes and the Political Subtext
5. Comparison Between the Novel and the Film
5.1 Common Features
5.2 Differences
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this seminar paper is to analyze the Gothic elements within Daphne du Maurier's novel "Rebecca" and to explore the socio-political subtext embedded in the character portrayals. Furthermore, the paper provides a comparative study between the original literary work and Alfred Hitchcock's 1940 film adaptation to highlight narrative parallels and essential differences.
- Analysis of Gothic motifs and atmosphere in "Rebecca".
- Examination of character archetypes and their relation to social class.
- Investigation of political subtexts and societal criticism in the novel.
- Comparative analysis of literary narrative versus cinematic representation.
- Evaluation of the impact of the Hays Code on film adaptation choices.
Excerpt from the Book
Rebecca as a Gothic Novel
Daphne du Maurier’s novel is a typical example of a Gothic Novel, which is indicated by many characteristics. In this chapter, the word “Gothic” will be explained, and the Gothic key elements will be mentioned and worked out in Rebecca.
The term “Gothic” was originally related to the Goths, one of the German tribes who fought numerous battles with the Roman Empire for centuries. But it could also refer to the style of architecture, sculpture, painting or other arts practised in Europe from the 12th to the 16th century or to a genre of literature characterized by gloom, the grotesque and the supernatural which became popular especially in the late 18th century.
As you can see, “Gothic” has come to mean quite a number of things by this age, but centuries passed before this term was used to describe a certain type of novels. The Gothic Novel “took shape in England around 1790 [to] 1830, although its roots can be found much earlier [...] in the Middle Ages”. It is still popular today and falls into the category of Romantic literature. According to Robert Deniston Hume, a Gothic Novel “can be seen as one symptom of a widespread shift away from neoclassical ideals of order and reason, toward romantic belief in emotion and imagination.” Major elements of this type of novel are the atmosphere of mystery and horror, a hint of violence and the supernatural, which you can also find in the novel Rebecca.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the author Daphne du Maurier, the historical context of the novel, and outlines the methodology for analyzing the Gothic elements and the comparison with Hitchcock's film.
2. Plot Summary: This section provides a concise narrative overview of the novel, tracing the protagonist's journey from a paid companion to the mistress of Manderley and the eventual discovery of the dark truth behind the death of the first Mrs. de Winter.
3. Rebecca as a Gothic Novel: This chapter defines the Gothic genre and identifies specific elements—such as the mysterious estate and the supernatural presence of the late wife—as central features of the novel.
4. Characterisation of the Main Characters and Reference to Social Classes and the Political Subtext: This analysis examines how the main characters represent different social strata and how their personalities reflect the political tensions and class structures within the narrative.
5. Comparison Between the Novel and the Film: This chapter evaluates the relationship between the book and the adaptation, detailing both the faithful elements and the significant departures in plot and characterization.
5.1 Common Features: This subsection highlights the shared atmospheric qualities and specific plot points that both the novel and the film retain.
5.2 Differences: This subsection details the creative departures made in the film, particularly regarding the ending and the portrayal of the primary conflict, often influenced by external censorship.
6. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, affirming the novel's status as a Gothic masterpiece and reflecting on the successful, albeit altered, realization of the story in film.
Keywords
Daphne du Maurier, Rebecca, Gothic Novel, Manderley, Alfred Hitchcock, Character Analysis, Social Class, Political Subtext, Narrative Perspective, Adaptation, Mystery, Suspense, Mrs. Danvers, Maxim de Winter, Gothic Literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the literary analysis of Daphne du Maurier’s "Rebecca", specifically its Gothic characteristics and the societal representation of its characters, followed by a comparison with Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 film adaptation.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Central themes include the Gothic atmosphere, the influence of social classes on personality, the impact of historical and political subtexts, and the challenges of translating literary mystery into cinema.
What is the ultimate goal of this research?
The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of "Rebecca" by analyzing character dynamics and explaining why the narrative remains a timeless Gothic mystery.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The methodology involves textual analysis of the novel’s themes and symbols, followed by a comparative study that highlights narrative parallels and differences between the book and the film.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body covers the definition of the Gothic novel, detailed character profiles, the political subtext regarding class, and a structured comparison of the film and book’s plot and atmosphere.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as Gothic literature, narrative adaptation, social class hierarchy, suspense, and character development.
How does the Hays Code influence the differences between the novel and the film?
The Hays Code forced the filmmakers to change the ending, shifting the cause of Rebecca's death from a deliberate murder by Maxim to an accidental occurrence to satisfy the moral standards of the 1930s.
Why is the nameless narrator significant to the novel's structure?
The nameless narrator is significant because her perspective is subjective; she is constantly oppressed by the memory of her predecessor, which frames the entire mystery for the reader.
What role does the setting of Manderley play in the Gothic theme?
Manderley acts as a symbol of the past and tradition, embodying the "Gothic" through its secrets, its role in the class lifestyle, and its eventual destruction, which marks the end of a specific era.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2018, "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier. Characterisation of the Main Characters and Comparison to Hitchcock’s Film Adaptation, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/983900
