Comments on: Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, part 2 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6601 Reading, Writing, Movies and Mothering in Minneapolis, Mostly Sun, 31 May 2026 14:51:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6601&cpage=1#comment-43733 girldetective Mon, 23 Jan 2017 21:22:00 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6601#comment-43733 I think it's also interesting to contrast Rhys' Rochester with Bronte's. Bronte was an unworldly woman trying to write a worldly man, working to make it more than a simple Cinderella story. Rhys had been around the block, and her portrait of Rochester is one of a much more believable, complicated man, embittered by the injustices, both real and imagined, he's suffered. It's easier to forgive the Rochester of Jane Eyre, but Rhys doesn't give the reader that easy out. I think it’s also interesting to contrast Rhys’ Rochester with Bronte’s. Bronte was an unworldly woman trying to write a worldly man, working to make it more than a simple Cinderella story. Rhys had been around the block, and her portrait of Rochester is one of a much more believable, complicated man, embittered by the injustices, both real and imagined, he’s suffered. It’s easier to forgive the Rochester of Jane Eyre, but Rhys doesn’t give the reader that easy out.

]]> By: Heideland http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6601&cpage=1#comment-43729 Heideland Thu, 19 Jan 2017 17:18:08 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6601#comment-43729 Oh Part Two. I realize Rhys wrote this part from the perspective of "Rochester" to elicit a modicum of sympathy for him and his position. It only served to solidify my poor opinion of him. I hate him. Unreservedly. Yes, he suffered abuse as the second son, but what does he do w/ his legacy of cruelty? He chooses to inflict cruelty on others, particularly Antoinette. He gaslights her into the beginnings of her mental distress. Christophine knew what was what. If only Antoinette would have heeded her cautions. Like the parrot, Coco, she seems tethered by fate. Oh Part Two.

I realize Rhys wrote this part from the perspective of “Rochester” to elicit a modicum of sympathy for him and his position. It only served to solidify my poor opinion of him. I hate him. Unreservedly. Yes, he suffered abuse as the second son, but what does he do w/ his legacy of cruelty? He chooses to inflict cruelty on others, particularly Antoinette. He gaslights her into the beginnings of her mental distress. Christophine knew what was what. If only Antoinette would have heeded her cautions. Like the parrot, Coco, she seems tethered by fate.

]]> By: Amy http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6601&cpage=1#comment-43727 Amy Tue, 17 Jan 2017 13:32:10 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6601#comment-43727 Also, the continuous use of fire imagery is handled so masterfully--it could have been more like a bludgeoning in a less-accomplished writer's hands. And the color red, particularly red curtains. Also, the continuous use of fire imagery is handled so masterfully–it could have been more like a bludgeoning in a less-accomplished writer’s hands. And the color red, particularly red curtains.

]]> By: Amy http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6601&cpage=1#comment-43726 Amy Tue, 17 Jan 2017 13:29:01 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6601#comment-43726 I think Rhys created some magnificently flawed characters here. Rochester is terrible, but again, she gives us context for that. Antoinette is not sinless either. I think Rhys created some magnificently flawed characters here. Rochester is terrible, but again, she gives us context for that. Antoinette is not sinless either.

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