Jean Rhys Summary

Biography EssayJean Rhys claimed to have been born in 1894, but it is more probable that she was born on 24 August 1890. The daughter of Rhys Williams, a doctor, and Minna Lockhart, Ella Gwen Rhys Wil... Read more

Jean Rhys claimed to have been born in 1894, but it is more probable that she was born on 24 August 1890. The daughter of Rhys Williams, a doctor, and Minna Lockhart, Ella Gwen Rhys Williams was born... Read more

Although Jean Rhys has been recognized as an important, if not a major, figure among twentieth-century British fiction writers, this critical evaluation came only at the end of her life, long after ... Read more

In the following essay, Howells elucidates the defining characteristics of Rhys's late short fiction—particularly her central themes of gender and colonialism—through an examinati... Read more

In the following essay, Tiffin asserts that a few of Rhys's short stories—“Again the Antilles,” “The Day They Burned the Books,” and “Rapunzel, Rapunze... Read more

In the following excerpt, Gregg offers thematic analyses of two of Rhys's West Indian stories: “Again the Antilles” and “Fishy Waters.” “again the Antilles&#x... Read more

In the following excerpt, Malcolm and Malcolm outline the defining characteristics of Rhys's short stories. Narrators and Narration One of the most striking aspects of narration in Rhys'... Read more

In the following appreciative survey of Rhys's works, Alvarez maintains that the "purity of Miss Rhys's style and her ability to be at once deadly serious and offhand make her boo... Read more

In the following excerpt, De Abruña argues that Rhys's views, as demonstrated in her fiction, were anti-feminist. Despite recent attempts by feminist critics to read all of her fiction as ... Read more

In the following excerpt, Wilson explores the impact of Rhys's exile on her work. The question of identity in Jean Rhys' life and fiction is inextricably bound to the condition of exile ... Read more

In the following essay, Morrell examines Rhys's world view as presented in four short stories that span her career. Jean Rhys's world, as seen in her three volumes of short stories, is ... Read more

In the following excerpt, Staley examines the depiction of feminine consciousness in Rhys's later short fiction. Wide Sargasso Sea was both a critical and popular success and its publication ha... Read more

In the following excerpt, Davidson discusses the importance of Rhys 's short fiction within her overall body of work. Jean Rhys, it will be remembered, wrote short stories as well as novels. He... Read more

In the following essay, Thomas examines the narrative structure and psychological dynamics of the relationship between Rochester and Antoinette in Wide Sargasso Sea. Antoinette Bertha Cosway Mason is ... Read more

In the following essay, Baldanza provides analysis of the recurring themes, narrative strategies, and female protagonists in Rhys's fiction. In discussing the seeming monotony of tone in the wo... Read more

In the following essay, Bamber provides an overview of Rhys's fiction, literary career, and critical reception. Jean Rhys, who died in 1978 at age eighty-four, lived long enough to ride the whe... Read more

In the following excerpt, Miles discusses the depiction of female alienation and social subjugation in Rhys's fiction. "In the work of Jean Rhys," writes Miles, "female sel... Read more

Critical Essay by Robie Macauley Probably the most gratifying literary rediscovery of the 1960's was the revival of Jean Rhys…. And, thanks to that, we now have those fine, somber Rhys n... Read more

Critical Essay by Elizabeth Abel Although some articles on Rhys have appeared in popular magazines, she has received little critical attention, especially from women, despite her exceptional technical... Read more

Critical Essay by John Updike Though many facts seem not so much got down as left discreetly floating [in Jean Rhys's "Smile Please"], this truncated effort at self-revelation is ... Read more

Critical Essay by Gabriele Annan [Jean Rhys] must have been one of the most autobiographical novelists there has ever been, and it is impossible not to believe that the psychological truth about her l... Read more

Critical Essay by Diana Trilling [Jean Rhys's life is] a terrible story but an uncommon one in our century, which is more notable for the falls from glory that follow on a too eager appreciatio... Read more

Critical Essay by Samuel Hynes There are two explanations for Jean Rhys's extraordinary obscurity. One is simply the life she lived. (p. 28) As a literary life it was, one may say, unusual; and... Read more

Critical Essay by Phyllis Rose [Jean Rhys's] heroines may be called Anna Morgan, Julia Martin, Marya Zelli, Sasha Jensen, but they are always Jean Rhys…. They are victims, of whom it wou... Read more