Summary:
Discusses the theme of jealousy in the novel, "Rebecca", by Daphne du Maurier. Studies the destructive power jealousy creates in the novel.
Jealousy is an attitude or disposition in which one is apprehensive of losing a position or affection, and becoming resentful or bitter in rivalry. In Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier explores the issue of jealousy through numerous characters and their relationships. Three of the main characters who are affected by jealousy are Maxim de Winter, The Second Mrs. de Winter, and Mrs. Danvers. Through these characters, Daphne du Maurier creates a study of jealousy and its destructive power in Rebecca.
Maxim de Winter, as husband to Rebecca and owner to Manderdley, is a prime example of a character whose actions are ruled by jealousy. Maxim is jealous of Rebecca's many relationships outside their marriage. Mrs. Danvers states this when talking to The Second Mrs. de Winter in chapter eighteen. "He was jealous while she lived, and now he is jealous when she's dead. Who wouldn't be jealous? They were all jealous, all mad for her, Mr. de Winter, Mr. Jack, Mr. Crawley, everyone who knew her, everyone who came to Manderley." Maxim de Winter, like so many people, was jealous of Rebecca's other relationships. His resent and bitterness grew to the point that he murdered her.
The Second Mrs. de Winter is a wonderful example of jealousy in Rebecca. She is jealous of many things. First, she is apprehensive of Maxim's past largely because he refuses to share it with her. "All memories are bitter, and I prefer to ignore them. Something happened a year ago that altered my whole life, and I want to forget every phase of my existence up to that time."(39)This apprehension becomes outright jealousy when The Second Mrs. de Winter arrives at Manderley and meets Mrs. Danvers. She seems jealous of the authoritative role that Mrs. Danvers plays at Manderley. The Second Mrs. de Winter is also envious of the relationship between her sister-in-law, Beatrice Giles, and her husband. The Second Mrs. de Winter says, "Then Bee will pat her husband on the shoulder as she laughs with her friends. Oh, how I envy their relationship. They must truly love each other."(94) The clearest example of jealousy The Second Mrs. de Winter experiences is her jealousy of Rebecca and her relationship to Manderley, its staff, and her husband. The
distance between Maxim and her creates a growing sense of doubt about their marriage. She says to herself as if speaking to Maxim, "If you don't think we are happy, it would be better if you would admit it. I don't want you to pretend anything. I'd much rather go away. Not live with you any more."(146) Her fear and apprehension grow until they threaten her marriage.
Mrs. Danvers is a character consumed by jealousy. Mrs. Danvers admits her jealousy of The Second Mrs. de Winter saying, "You stupid, ignorant girl! What do you know about men? You come here and think you can take Mrs. de Winter's
place? "(244) This proves Mrs. Danvers considers The Second Mrs. de Winter a rival of the dead Rebecca, one who threatens to take her place. Mrs. Danvers goes on to say, "Of course he was jealous. So was I, so was everyone who knew her."(245) revealing her resentment of other people's relationships with Rebecca. She expresses her jealousy in a most extreme way when she burns Manderley in her rage.
In conclusion, Daphne du Maruier wrote Rebecca, in part, as a study of jealousy and its destructive effect on relationships. She used the characters Maxim de Winter, The Second Mrs. de Winter, and Mrs. Danvers to aid her. The results of their jealousies were the death of Rebecca, the burning of Manderley and the near destruction of the marriage between Maxim and The Second Mrs. de Winter.
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