Outline paragraph

Several symbols are embedded throughout the three parts of the novel, providing the readers with an in depth analysis of both the characters and the setting. These symbols guide the readers and offer understanding, regarding the role of the patriarchal power structures, and how they impact the gender role of the Creole society. Edward Rochester is the stereotypical Englishman, he believes that his perceptions and values are superior when it comes to those of his wife Antoinette. Rochester states on page 61, in the second part of the novel “The dress was spotless but her uncovered hair, though it was oiled and braided into many small plaits, it gave her a savage appearance”. Hence proving how he views his wife as a savage, simply because her hair was plaited, not considering that such a thing was normal in the Caribbean. Rochester is unwilling to open his eyes and see past his racial prejudice that has been ingrained into him. Alongside this, due to Rochester being alienated in an environment he does not fully understand; “It was a beautiful place- wild, untouched, above all untouched, with an alien, disturbing, secret loveliness. And it kept its secret” causes the readers to believe that simply not fitting in, and understanding everything around him, his opinions were strengthened further.

Outline

Prompt

‘Discuss the portrayal of insanity in Wide Sargasso Sea’

Characters to be discussed:

• Annette
• Antoinette
• Rochester
• Mason

Paragraph 1: intro + thesis

Thesis: ‘ In Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys depicts the theme of insanity as most intensively scrutinized concept which is explored through the portrayal of the protagonist Antoinette and her mother Annette . How they experience the progression of their insanity is exhibited through the patriarchal oppression of the male figures in their lives, the cultural context of gender stereotypes and lastly the symbolism portrayed within the novel. ‘

Paragraph 2:  Patriarchal oppression of Rochester and Annette's husband Mason.

Topic Sentence:

Patriarchal power structures are evident within the novel through the portrayal of the characters Mr. Mason and Rochester. This is evident throughout the novel as the theme of gender and power are explored.

The portrayal of sanity is convicted within the novel through these characters, in which their harsh portrayals of oppression drive the protagonist to insanity.

Evidence within the text:

• Rochester’s personality due to his superiority toward Antoinette; this is portrayed through the way in treats her as though she is less of a person or isn’t as complex as him.

• “This was Antoinette. She spoke hesitatingly as if she expected me to refuse, so it was easy to do so.” - Rochester.  

• “Money is good but no money can pay for a crazy wife in your bed. Crazy and worse besides.”

• “Hail to the queen of the silent night, shine bright, shine bright Robin as you die” page 49 - could be symbolic of Antoinette's oppression as she is forced in a cage much like a bird would.

• The way he so cautiously avoided her presence, such as escaping to the pool for hours or going on long walks alone, this suggests he doesn’t actually want to be with her.

• “Stupid Little girl” - page 54,  this wasn’t aimed at Antoinette personally, yet it displays traits of his dominant character.

• “Die then! Die! I watched her die many times. In my way, not in hers.” - page 55, suggesting he has imagined her dying, such as he has caught her and already sees her life as hopeless, furthering the idea of oppression against Antoinette.

• “‘You are safe’ I’d say. She’d liked that - to be told ‘you are safe.’ Or I’d touch her face gently and touch her tears. Tears - nothing! Words - less than nothing. As for the happiness I gave her, that was worse than nothing. I did not love her.” Page 56.

Paragraph 3: Context of cultural context of gender stereotypes

Topic Sentence:

The cultural context of origin in this novel has an impact on the characters and their embodiment of their gender roles , as the contrasting societies of the Creole, West Indies and England evoke varying levels of self perception amongst the characters.

Evidence within the text:

• Antoinette is creole , but white and not wealthy : “she still rode about every morning not caring that the black people stood about in groups to jeer at her , especially after her riding clothes grew shabby (they notice clothes , they know about money)” Part 1, page 4.

• Rejected by society around her: “i never looked at any strange negro . they hated us. They called us white cockroaches. Let sleeping curs lie. One day a little girl followed me singing, ‘ go away white cockroach, go away , go away.’ I walked fast, but she walked faster. ‘ White cockroach, go away go away. Nobody want you . Go away.’ Part 1, page 7.

• Rejected by friend Tia: That’s not what she hear, she said. She hear all we poor like beggar. We ate salt fish - no money for fresh fish. That old hose so leaky, you run with calabash to catch water when it rain. Plenty white people in Jamaica. Real white people , they got old money. They didnt look at us, nobody see them come near us. Old time white people nothing but white nigger now , and black nigger better than white nigger. Part 1, page 8.

• Rejected by her mother : “ ‘oh let me alone’, she’d say, ‘let me alone’ and after i knew that she talked aloud to herself I was a little afraid of her.” Part 1, page 5.

Exploited for money : “dear father . the thirty thousand pounds have been paid to me without question or condition. No provision made for her (that must be seen to.) I have a modest competence now. I will never be a disgrace to you or to my dear brother, the son you love. Part 2, page 39.

• Paragraph 4: Symbolism portrayed within the novel

Topic Sentence:

Throughout the novel several symbols are embedded within the three parts of the novel. Through doing so, the readers are provided with an in depth analysis of both the characters and the setting.

Evidence within the text:

• Part two, page 73: Scenery → “ It was a beautiful place- wild,untouched,above all untouched,with an alien,disturbing, secret loveliness. And it kept its secret”

• Part one, page 34: Fire → “ It was very hot on the glacis too, they roared as we came out, then there was another roar behind us. I had not seen any flames, only smoke and sparks,but now I saw tall flames shooting up to the sky, for the bamboos had caught.”

• Part one, page 37: Coco the parrot → “ I opened my eyes, everybody was looking up and pointing at Coco on the glacis railings with his feathers alight. He made an effort to fly down but his clipped wings failed him and he fell screeching. He was all on fire.”

• Part two, page 61: Clothing and hair → “ The dress was spotless but her uncovered hair, though it was oiled and braided into many small plaits, gave her a savage appearance”

Conclusion: summarize the three topic sentences

• Insanity
• Symbolism
• Oppression

Essay outline

Prompt A :

The relationship between men and women, and the differences in their role in society, are central considerations in many works of literature. Discuss the part they plan in Wide Sargasso Sea.

Thesis:

Jean Rhys uses the conventions of the late 1800's to portray the difference in gender roles in the Caribbean society. Through the use of narration of both Antoinette and Edward Rochester, she delivers both sides of the situation (the slave owner and the slave relationship). Through doing so as the audience, we are provided with the opportunity to further our understanding of how the Caribbean society distinguished between the roles of the opposing genders and how it impacts the novels final message. In order to do so, narration, context and characters will be further examined.

Topic Sentence 1:

In order to establish the concept “there is always two sides to every story”, Jean Rhys includes two narrators to tell the story of Antoinette Mason ( Antoinette and Edward Rochester). Through doing so the two genders perspective is presented, hence providing us with various insights into how every situation is viewed.

Examples:

* Part two of the novel → When Rochester describes how he views Amelie, he views himself as an almighty figure

* Part one of the novel → When Antoinette discusses how she feels alienated from her community, how she is treated as an outcast by everyone due to her racial background

Topic Sentence 2:

The novel is influenced by several cultural factors, however the events take place in the Caribbean. The context provides us with insight into the colonial ownership throughout the novel.

Examples:

* Part one of the novel → When Mason disregards Antoinette's mothers worries regarding their safety. Mason believes that he knows what is happening and that the family is safe

* Part two of the novel → How Rochester constantly finds ways to find flaws within his wife, always finds ways to belittle her. She does not fit his archetype of a Victorian woman

* Racial prejudice

Topic Sentence 3:

Not all characters within the text conform to their gender role. There are characters present who unconsciously rebel against what is expected of them.

Examples:

*Christophine is one who strays away from her gender role. She is presented as a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to speak her mind

Antoinette Character Blog Post

Jean Rhys presents the first part of the novel from the protagonist Antoinette's perspective, this is done so in order for us ( as the readers) to establish a clearer state of mind. Meaning that through reading the beginning of the novel from Antoinette's point of view, we should be capable of understanding where she is coming from and why she says and does what she does. Furthermore, we are presented with a first hand opportunity to observe how the whites felt in terms of their treatment by the blacks. Although not pleasant we are able to comprehend why the blacks had such a strong hatred towards the whites (after all they were enslaved by them).

Antoinette is presented to the reader as a young Creole girl who is both solitary and reactive. Within the first part of the novel, Antoinette is one who is not capable of maintaining not only her own mother's love but also her companionship with her friends and family. This was established in the very beginning of the novel, Antoinette knew from a young age that she did not “fit in”. Herself and her family were alienated from their community simply due to their skin color. Antoinette was the white daughter of an ex-slaver owner who now lived in Coulibri Estate with her mother, brother and their servants after her fathers death. No one welcomed the Cosway's with open arms upon their arrival to Coulibri Estate, on page 20 Antoinette states “ I never looked at any strange negro. They hated us. They called us white cockroaches. Let sleeping dogs lie. One day a little girl followed me singing, "Go away white cockroach, go away, go away." ”. Hence displaying the latent hostility Antoinette and her family were subjected towards, alongside dealing with the black community's mistreatment. Whilst further emphasising on the racial conflicts that were present during that time and how the whites were viewed by the opposing race.

Bringing everything back to the simple concept of racial conflict. It was due to not being willing to accept one another as equals that such vulgar insults were projected onto the whites and the blacks. Calling an individual a “white cockroach” or a “nigger” is not the way to go about resolving conflicts, rather it just makes matters worse.

Sheikh Al Junaydi

The Thief and the Dogs is filled with various contrasting characters, all of which support the protagonist. These secondary characters allow us to further understand the protagonist, as they assist in building up Said's persona. One could say that each character played a role in shaping Said into the man that he was, whether it be through playing the role of his mentor or his good friend. Through Said's internal interior monologues, we are provided with a glimpse into how Said perceives each individual in his life. Through analysis of his character, we are able to put the puzzle pieces together and create an assumption of the importance of each characters role has in Said's life. However, due to such characterisations coming from a man consumed by vengeance, anger and hate, one must question whether or not the character is being presented in their true light.

The novel has such an array of characters, some are presented as either trustworthy and reliable, where as others are depicted as unreliable and untrustworthy. One the most influential characters in the novel would have to be Sheikh Al Junaydi. We are first introduced to the Sheikh in the second chapter when Said goes to him to seek refuge and food. We learn that the Sheikh was Said's fathers spiritual advisor, throughout the novel we are presented with flashbacks of when Said was a child visiting the Sheikh with his late father. We learn that the Said not only seeks the Sheikh for refuge and food but he also seeks guidance. Prior to visiting the Sheikh, Said had payed a visit to his ex- wife Nabawiyya ( who married his ex-friend Ilish)and his daughter Sana. In an attempt to salvage whatever was left of his relationship with his daughter, Said was visiting with good intentions. However, when his daughter rejects him, Said is filled with the feeling of rejection and anger. Later on, he seeks the Sheikh's guidance he is told “Take a copy of the Koran and read. . . . Also repeat the words: ‘Love is acceptance, which means obeying His commands and refraining from what He has prohibited and contentment with what He decrees and ordains.’”, knowing that Said is obviously not in the best place, the Sheikh attempts to direct Said in the path of religion in attempts to allow him to find peace with god. Sheikh Al Junaydi is not only a religious symbol, but he also symbolises prosperity, forgiveness, wisdom and compassion. All traits in which Said does not present, as the story plot evolves we begin to see that Said seek's the Sheikh more than once for guidance, especially after his commitment of crimes. Through having the Sheikh as one of the secondary characters, we are able to see just how much he plays an important role in Said's life. Although Said does not accept the guidance provided by the Sheikh, he always goes back to him almost like it's where he feels the most safe. This is portrayed when Said accidentally murdered an innocent man outside of Ilish's old apartment ( he intended to kill Ilish for betraying him).

In the end, it is evident that not only does Said not want to listen to the Sheikh, he also doesn't take his advice. Through his actions of kindness and good will, the Sheikh somewhat attempts to provide Said with a second chance, sort of like a redemption through religion, after all the bad that he had done. Unfortunately Said refuses to accept this religious redemption, and so he continues to lead himself down a dark and undesired path.

Thesis statement

Through the use of a tragic hero, Mahfouz is able to portray the impact of the Egyptian Revolution and its affect on the social hierarchy structure, whilst also commenting on exactly how far the protagonist is willing to go in order to restore balance, despite having to deal with his own harsh reality.

Tragic Hero

1- What is Said's tragic flaw? (Harmatia)

Said's tragic flaw is that he is unable to except his own wrong doings. He has the tendency to constantly blame others, even when the blame is on him. Throughout the novel we are presented with several moments where Said blames those who he used to be close to ( Ilish, Nabawiyya and Rauf) for all of the pain and suffering he was facing. This is shown through several of Said's direct interior monologues. An example of is displayed in the first chapter:

“ Nabawiyya. Ilish. Your two names merge in my mind. For years you will have been thinking about this day, never imagining, all the while, that the gates would ever actually open. You'll be watching now, but I won't fall into the trap. At the right moment, instead, I'll strike like Fate.”

It is through this example that we can view how Said blames them, regardless of the fact that it was his own actions that landed him in jail.

2- How does he display excessive pride? (Hubris)

Said tends to obtain excessive pride (he places himself and his actions on a pedestal),and degrades others. He displays it through his drive to seek revenge on those who had hurt him, this was to be done so through carrying out his revenge plan. Through his plan he hoped to seek vengeance on the individuals who had betrayed him. This plan consisted of murdering those individuals one by one. This is displayed in chapter seven:

“To kill them both – Nabawiyya and Ilish- at the same time would be a triumph. Even better would be to settle with Rauf Ilwan, too, then escape, go abroad if possible”

3- When is his reversal of fortunes? (Peripeteia)

Said's reversal of fortunes is presented towards the end of the novel in chapter 18:

“Give yourself up” a triumphant voice shouted. “It's no use resisting” … Sure that the enormous and irregular multitude of the tombs prevented them from actually seeing him, Said made no movement. He had decided on death”

In this moment Said had realized that not only was he out numbered but he had also come to terms with the fact that not only was he going to die but he himself had chosen death. Hence displaying Said's reversal of fortunes, rather than him hunting down individuals and murdering them the police were now hunting him down. Just as Said stated in chapter 14 “A world without morals is like a universe without gravity.” he carried out immoral acts and now the universe had caught up with him, there is no gravity.

4- At what moments in the text does he recognize that the reversal was due to his own actions? (Anagnorisis)

The moment In which Said has recognized that the reversal was due to his own actions was when he was being chased by the police in the cemetery. Within that instant in chapter 18 it stated :

“He pressed his back against a tomb and took out his gun, staring out into the darkness resignedly. There it was. The dogs had come at last and there was no hope left. The scoundrels were safe, if only for a while. His life had made its last utterance, saying that it had all been in vain”

Said had realized that his life was coming to an end, that everything he had been doing since his release from prison would have “all been in vain” as he was not going to be around to bask in his glory and finally be with his daughter with out the ones he despised.

5- Is his fate greater than he deserved? (Nemesis)

Said Mahran's fate was not greater than he deserved, prior to his sentencing Said had been carrying out terrible deeds. You would think that after being imprisoned for four years he would learn a few things! Regardless of his past and what he had to go through Said made the decision that he would follow through with his plan, despite the fact that if he were to be caught in the process he could have faced the possibility of going away for a much longer time or even never being released again.