REBECCA - DAPHNE DU MAURIER

CHARACTERS

Narrator Mrs Danvers Rebecca Maxim de Winter

Maxim’s wife. She lived Scary housekeeper of Maxim’s dead wife. Owner of Manderley.
as Mrs Van Hopper’s Manderley. She loved She used to host a Appears as a calm
lady companion before Rebecca, so she feels lot of big parties at man on the outside.
marrying him. Young bitter about the Manderley for the Previously married to
woman who’s name is narrator. rich people. Rebecca, but after
not revealed throughout her death, he marries
the story. the narrator.

GOTHIC INFLUENCE
Daphne du Maurier embodies the gothic genre
in ‘Rebecca’ with its eerie settings, mysterious
characters, and a haunting atmosphere.
Manderley's foreboding atmosphere and the
haunting presence of the dead wife contribute
to the novel's gothic environment, creating a
world of fear and fright.

DAPHNE DU MAURIER
Du Maurier was born on May 13, 1907, in England.
She was best known for her works in the gothic
and romantic genres. She wrote other popular
novels such as ‘My Cousin Rachel’, and ‘Jamaicca
Inn’.

CONTEXT
‘Rebecca’ was published in 1938, at a time
where the gothic genre was regaining
popularity. It reflects the cultural and
societal norms of that period, particularly in
terms of gender roles and the class system
in England. It was also written at a time
where the impending threat of World War II
influenced the novel with its atmosphere of
uncertainty.