This site requires Javascript to be turned on. Please enable Javascript and reload the page.

Rebecca

Rebecca and Gender Roles

The novel Rebecca showcases a society that is very constrained by the typical gender roles of the time. Although at times quite subtle, this text explores a variety of gender roles, both for men and women. Rebecca was described by a few characters as being similar to a man. For example, when Mrs. Danvers speaks about Rebecca, she says "She had all the courage and spirit of a boy, had my Mrs. de Winter. She ought to have been a boy, I often told her that. I had the care of her as a child. You knew that, did you?" (18.118)

In many ways, Rebecca is a character who rebels against the typical constraints given to women of the time. She has power in her relationship with Maxim, engages in atypical sexual activities, and behaves in a manner unlike a typical lady of her social standing. She was a woman bound by the rules of her society who found a way to act autonomously.

This page has paths:

Contents of this path:

This page has replies:

Nice commentary on Rebecca and gender roles. A few questions: How was Rebecca received originally vs. how it would be received now? I wonder what the book would be like if all the genders were swapped? How would that change the message? Drastically, I suppose.
Contents of this reply:
1. Rebecca and Gender Roles
  The novel Rebecca showcases a society that is very constrained by the typical gender roles of the time. Although at times quite subtle, this text explores a variety of gender roles, both for men and women. Rebecca was described by a few characters as being similar to a man. For example, when Mrs. Danvers speaks about Rebecca, she says "She had all the courage and spirit of a boy, had my Mrs. de Winter. She ought to have been a boy, I often told her that. I had the care of her as a child. You knew that, did you?" (18.118)
  In many ways, Rebecca is a character who rebels against the typical constraints given to women of the time. She has power in her relationship with Maxim, engages in atypical sexual activities, and behaves in a manner unlike a typical lady of her social standing. She was a woman bound by the rules of her society who found a way to act autonomously.
Hello Robyn! It would definitely be intriguing if the genders were swapped in this novel. It would probably tell a really different story, from Maxim de Winter down to Ms. Van Hopper. This would have been risky for its reveal in 1938. But all Gothic literature is a bit risky anyway.
Contents of this reply:
1. Rebecca and Gender Roles
  The novel Rebecca showcases a society that is very constrained by the typical gender roles of the time. Although at times quite subtle, this text explores a variety of gender roles, both for men and women. Rebecca was described by a few characters as being similar to a man. For example, when Mrs. Danvers speaks about Rebecca, she says "She had all the courage and spirit of a boy, had my Mrs. de Winter. She ought to have been a boy, I often told her that. I had the care of her as a child. You knew that, did you?" (18.118)
  In many ways, Rebecca is a character who rebels against the typical constraints given to women of the time. She has power in her relationship with Maxim, engages in atypical sexual activities, and behaves in a manner unlike a typical lady of her social standing. She was a woman bound by the rules of her society who found a way to act autonomously.
Great Work I'm Also Looking forward to start my new architecture project
Contents of this reply:
1. Rebecca and Gender Roles
  The novel Rebecca showcases a society that is very constrained by the typical gender roles of the time. Although at times quite subtle, this text explores a variety of gender roles, both for men and women. Rebecca was described by a few characters as being similar to a man. For example, when Mrs. Danvers speaks about Rebecca, she says "She had all the courage and spirit of a boy, had my Mrs. de Winter. She ought to have been a boy, I often told her that. I had the care of her as a child. You knew that, did you?" (18.118)
  In many ways, Rebecca is a character who rebels against the typical constraints given to women of the time. She has power in her relationship with Maxim, engages in atypical sexual activities, and behaves in a manner unlike a typical lady of her social standing. She was a woman bound by the rules of her society who found a way to act autonomously.

This page references:

Daphne du Maurier