Rebecca PDF

 Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca (1938) is a classic Gothic novel filled with mystery, romance, and psychological suspense. The story is told through the eyes of an unnamed young woman who marries a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, and struggles to escape the shadow of his glamorous and dead wife, Rebecca.


A Sudden Romance

  • The narrator is a shy, inexperienced young woman working as a companion to a rich American woman.
  • In Monte Carlo, she meets and quickly marries the mysterious and wealthy Maxim de Winter, whose first wife, Rebecca, died a year earlier in a boating accident.
  • After the honeymoon, Maxim brings her to Manderley, his grand estate in England.

Life at Manderley

  • At Manderley, the new Mrs. de Winter feels out of place and constantly compared to Rebecca, who was beautiful, confident, and admired by everyone.
  • The sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, idolizes Rebecca and cruelly undermines the new bride’s confidence.
  • The new Mrs. de Winter becomes increasingly haunted by Rebecca’s lingering presence and influence.

The Mystery Deepens

  • Strange events and the cold atmosphere at Manderley unsettle the narrator.
  • Mrs. Danvers tries to break her mentally and even suggests suicide.
  • A costume ball ends in disaster when Mrs. Danvers tricks her into dressing like Rebecca.
  • Soon after, a sunken boat is found—with Rebecca’s body inside, contradicting Maxim’s story of her drowning.

The Truth About Rebecca

  • Maxim confesses that he never loved Rebecca—in fact, he hated her.
  • Their marriage was a sham; Rebecca was manipulative, cruel, and unfaithful.
  • On the night of her death, they argued, and Maxim accidentally killed her. He placed her body in the boat and sank it.
  • The narrator, instead of being horrified, feels relief and deepens her love for Maxim.

The Inquest and Final Twist

  • An inquest is held, and Maxim’s story is nearly exposed, but he narrowly escapes blame.
  • Rebecca’s cousin (and lover), Jack Favell, tries to blackmail Maxim, but fails.
  • It’s revealed Rebecca may have wanted to die—she had been terminally ill and provoked Maxim deliberately.

The Ending

  • Maxim and his wife return to Manderley—only to find it burning, presumably set on fire by Mrs. Danvers.
  • The novel ends with the destruction of Manderley, symbolizing the end of Rebecca’s haunting legacy.

Themes in the Novel:

  • Identity and Insecurity: The narrator’s lack of self-worth contrasts with Rebecca’s powerful presence.
  • Memory and the Past: Rebecca’s influence persists long after her death.
  • Love vs. Obsession: Romantic love is tainted by secrecy and guilt.
  • Power and Control: Rebecca’s dominance and Mrs. Danvers' manipulation show how control shapes relationships.

Conclusion:

Rebecca is a psychological thriller wrapped in Gothic romance. With its iconic opening line — “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again” — the novel explores how the past can haunt the present, and how identity can be shaped or shattered by others’ memories.



 

0 Yorumlar