Q2 Discuss the role of Mrs. Danvers in the novel.

Mrs. Danvers is the antagonist of this novel and is an elderly caretaker and a servant of Manderley’s
estate.

Danvers adored and continues to adore Rebecca and feels that the new narrator has no legitimate right
to a place at Manderley. Mrs. Danvers is significant throughout Rebecca as she keeps Rebecca alive by
letting her belongings remain in the estate and makes the narrator follow Rebecca’s choices. She even
speaks about her in a worshipping way that makes the reader think that she loved Rebecca and it
continues even after Rebecca’s death.

Mrs. Danvers is also important to the character’s development of the narrator and to the development
of the narrator and Maxim’s relationship. Therefore, Danvers terrorizes the narrator while playing the
part of a loyal and helpful servant to Maxim.

Mrs. Danvers also gives off a feeling of being secretive as the narrator states, ‘Black color of dress’. At
times, she gives off a ghostlike feeling as the narrator describes her, ‘Great hollow eyes’, and a ‘Skull-like
face’. The narrator describes Mrs. Danvers as gothic and deadly imagery depicting her as a ghost or
undead by the quote, ‘A black figure stood waiting for me’. Though Mrs. Danvers says she is the
narrator’s servant by referring to her as ‘Madam’, Mrs. Danvers's tone and actions seem to be
constantly challenging the narrator which prompts her to become the mistress of Manderley estate
instead of the wife of De Winter. When the narrator remarks about being happy in the west wing, Mrs.
Danvers raises curiosity and releases information that states that she knows secrets about Rebecca and
Manderley.

The readers realize that if it wasn’t for Mrs. Danvers, there would be no mystery to this novel because it
is she who keeps Rebecca's ghost alive. We learn that Maxim came to despise her, and that he was the
one that killed her. So, Rebecca's presence wouldn’t exist if it had not been for Mrs. Danvers. Also, the
narrator would not be so insecure and would not think that her husband is still in love with Rebecca.
Mrs. Danvers moves the gothic nature of the novel forward by trying to get rid of the narrator. This is
proven numerous times as she dresses the narrator in Rebecca's clothes; she tries to convince her to
commit suicide.

She ensures every inch of Manderley is in order, that every maid and butler stay in step. Danvers is the
boss of Manderley and its shadows and with singular determination makes her presence known until
embers burn shadows. She is loyal beyond death, obsessed with her lady, Rebecca. Mrs. Danvers
ensures every facet of Rebecca’s life is given its rightful place as she summons the ghost of her mistress
at every turn. Danvers illustrates the depth of her love to the second Mrs. de Winter when the young
woman dares step foot in Rebecca’s bedroom suite in Manderley’s west wing. The rooms sit as Rebecca
left them, every personal item in place, every embroidered “R” perfectly set.