Rebecca is a 1938 Gothic novel by English author Daphne du Maurier. It introduces an unnamed young woman who hastily marries a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, and moves to his large estate, Manderley, in Cornwall. Upon her arrival, the new Mrs. de Winter finds Manderley overshadowed by the presence of Maxim's first wife, Rebecca, who died the previous year. The story explores themes of jealousy, the struggle with the shadow of the past, and the dynamics within a troubled marriage.
The household, particularly the cold and manipulative housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, remains deeply influenced by Rebecca–her memory is kept alive by the constant reminders of her supposed perfection. The narrator feels inferior and out of place, believing that Maxim is still in love with Rebecca and regrets their marriage. Mrs. Danvers further exacerbates these insecurities, leading to a series of dramatic events that reveal the truth about Rebecca's life and death.
As the narrative unfolds, Maxim confesses to the narrator that his marriage to Rebecca was a façade. Rebecca was unfaithful and cunning, and on the night of her death, she had provoked Maxim to kill her. Following this revelation, the remains of Rebecca's boat are discovered with her body, leading to an investigation. The novel concludes with Maxim and the narrator learning that Manderley has been consumed by fire, possibly set by Mrs. Danvers as a final act of devotion to Rebecca.
Acclaimed for its suspenseful plot, complex characters, and atmospheric setting, Rebecca has remained a bestseller since its publication. The novel has been adapted multiple times for stage and screen, most notably a 1940 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and a Netflix adaptation in 2020. The opening line, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again," is one of the most famous in English literature, setting the tone for a story of haunting memories and a struggle for identity and love.
Themes
The power of memory and perception
Jealousy and insecurity
Identity
Reputation and social standing
Love and marriage
Good versus evil
Mystery and suspense
Gender roles
Guilt and innocence
Transformation and personal growth
Loyalty and manipulation
The supernatural
Setting
Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier's iconic Gothic novel, is set primarily within the ornate walls and lush grounds of Manderley, a sprawling estate in Cornwall, England. The novel immerses readers in the atmosphere of the early 20th century, capturing the essence of the era’s societal norms and the expanse of the English countryside. Manderley, more than a mere setting, acts as a character in its own right—haunting, breathtaking, and shrouded in the mystique of its former mistress, Rebecca.
The unnamed protagonist, a young and shy new bride, steps into the grandeur of Manderley only to find herself living in the shadow of her husband’s first wife, Rebecca. Through the manicured gardens, along the sea-kissed coastline, and within the stately walls, every nook seems to whisper tales of the enigmatic Rebecca, whose presence is nurtured by the sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers. The estate, with its luxuriant lawns stretching toward the sea and gardens brimming with scented flowers, epitomizes the grand English country house of the period. Yet, the apparent perfection is marred by an undercurrent of tension and mystery surrounding Rebecca's death. As the story unfolds, Manderley transforms from a dream come true to a haunting nightmare for the second Mrs. de Winter, encapsulating the fierce grip of the past on the present.
While Manderley dominates the narrative's landscape, du Maurier skillfully introduces readers to diverse settings that contribute to the story's depth and complexity. From the initial encounter between the young protagonist and Maxim de Winter in Monte Carlo to the various locales that encapsulate the societal elite's life, each setting enriches the narrative, weaving a tale of love, jealousy, and deceit. The novel's ability to transport readers to the opulent yet oppressive atmosphere of Manderley and beyond is a testament to du Maurier's mastery as a storyteller, anchoring the haunting tale of Rebecca firmly within the rich tapestry of the English countryside's topographical and emotional terrain.
Characters
The Narrator/the Second Mrs de Winter: A timid, naive, middle-class woman in her early 20s, who enjoys sketching. She becomes the second wife of Maxim de Winter.
Maximilian "Maxim" de Winter: The reserved, unemotional owner of Manderley. He marries the narrator after a brief courtship.
Mrs Danvers: The cold, overbearing housekeeper of Manderley, obsessed with the first Mrs de Winter, Rebecca.
Rebecca de Winter: The beautiful, deceased first wife of Maxim de Winter, whose presence haunts Manderley and its inhabitants.
Frank Crawley: The hard-working, dutiful agent of Manderley and Maxim's trusted advisor.
Beatrice Lacey: Maxim's spirited sister who knew of Rebecca's true nature.
Giles Lacey: The amiable husband of Beatrice, who was charmed by Rebecca.
Frith: The devoted butler at Manderley.
Robert: A young footman at Manderley, embarrassed by Favell.
Mrs Van Hopper: The narrator's overbearing employer at the start of the novel.
Clarice: The loyal and trustworthy lady's maid of the second Mrs de Winter.
Jack Favell: Rebecca's cousin and lover, who tries to blackmail Maxim.
Colonel Julyan: The local magistrate at Rebecca's inquest.
Dr Baker: A doctor who reveals Rebecca's terminal illness.
Critical reception
Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca has been universally acclaimed for its captivating blend of psychological depth, intriguing murder mystery, and haunting romance.
FAQs
What genre does Rebecca belong to?
Rebecca is a Gothic novel that also blends elements of crime, mystery, and romance.
What is the central mystery or suspense in the novel?
The central mystery revolves around the death of Maxim de Winter's first wife, Rebecca, and the haunting influence her memory exerts over Manderley and its inhabitants.
Who is the narrator of the story?
The narrator is the second Mrs. de Winter, whose first name is never revealed. She remains unnamed throughout the novel.
What is the significance of Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper?
Mrs. Danvers is obsessively devoted to preserving Rebecca's memory and undermining the second Mrs. de Winter, making her a crucial antagonist in the story.
How does Manderley, the estate, function as a character?
Manderley is described as an atmospheric, almost haunted presence that embodies Rebecca's lingering influence and dominates the characters' lives.
What is the nature of Maxim and Rebecca's relationship?
Though outwardly appearing as a devoted couple, their relationship is revealed to be deeply troubled, with Rebecca being unfaithful and cruel to Maxim.
What role does jealousy play in the novel?
The second Mrs. de Winter's jealousy towards the idealized memory of Rebecca is a driving force, fueled by Mrs. Danvers' manipulations.
How does the novel explore themes of identity and self-discovery?
The unnamed narrator undergoes a journey of self-discovery and asserting her own identity against Rebecca's overbearing legacy.
What was the inspiration behind the novel?
Daphne Du Maurier drew inspiration from her own memories of Cornwall, her relationship with her father, and the concept of jealousy in her marriage.
Why is the opening line so famous?
The opening line "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" is renowned for its evocative, haunting quality that sets the novel's tone.
What makes Rebecca a Gothic novel?
Rebecca is categorized as a Gothic novel due to its use of a mysterious and eerie setting (the Manderley estate), the theme of the haunted past, the presence of a mysterious woman, and elements of horror and romance. These aspects contribute to the novel's tense and foreboding atmosphere.
How has Rebecca been received by the public and critics?
Rebecca was a bestseller upon its publication and has never gone out of print. It has been critically acclaimed for its complex characters, intricate plot, and enduring themes of memory, identity, and the interplay between past and present. In 2017, it was voted the UK's favorite book of the past 225 years in a poll by bookseller WH Smith.
Has Rebecca been adapted into other media?
Yes, Rebecca has been adapted numerous times for stage and screen, including a famous 1940 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and a 2020 remake by Netflix. It's also been adapted into a radio program, a television drama serial, and even an opera.
How did the acclaimed film adaptation change the ending of Rebecca?
The 1940 Hitchcock film altered the novel's ending, making Rebecca's death accidental instead of a murder to comply with Hollywood censorship rules.
Quotes
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”
“If only there could be an invention that bottled up a memory, like scent. And it never faded, and it never got stale. And then, when one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked, and it would be like living the moment all over again.”
“Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind.”
“I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say.”
“I suppose sooner or later in the life of everyone comes a moment of trial. We all of us have our particular devil who rides us and torments us, and we must give battle in the end.”
“Men are simpler than you imagine … But what goes on in the twisted, tortuous minds of women would baffle anyone.’
“I wondered why it was that places are so much lovelier when one is alone.”
“A dreamer, I walked enchanted, and nothing held me back.”
Quick facts
The novel Rebecca has never gone out of print since its first publication in 1938.
The first wife, Rebecca, who is central to the story, never appears directly in the novel; the narration unfolds around her memory and how she influences the lives of the characters.
The opening line of the book, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again," is one of the most famous openings in English literature.
The Manderley estate, a pivotal setting in the novel, is based on the real-life Menabilly estate in Cornwall, which Daphne du Maurier leased for many years.
Alfred Hitchcock's film adaptation of Rebecca in 1940 was his first American project, and it won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The character of Mrs. Danvers has been an archetype for the ominous housekeeper in literature and film.
Du Maurier was inspired to write Rebecca by her jealousy of her husband's first fiancée.
In an unusual instance of a book influencing military strategy, one edition of Rebecca was used by the Germans in World War II as the key to a book code.
The novel inspired several sequels and related works approved by the du Maurier estate, including Mrs de Winter by Susan Hill and Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman.
About the author
Daphne du Maurier was an English novelist, playwright, and biographer best known for her richly plotted narratives blending romance, mystery, and suspense. While du Maurier often wrote about love and marriage, her works transcend the classification of a romance novel, exploring themes of identity, desire, and psychological depth. Her notable novels include Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman's Creek, and My Cousin Rachel, all of which have been adapted into successful films. Du Maurier's engagement with the paranormal and the macabre, alongside her intricate character studies, contributed to her novels' lasting appeal and critical reassessment over time.
Born in 1907 into an artistic family, du Maurier was the middle daughter of a prominent actor-manager and an actress. Her grandfather, George du Maurier, was a celebrated author and cartoonist. Her upbringing was one of creative freedom and affluence, allowing her to cultivate her literary talent from a young age. Throughout her life, du Maurier maintained a profound connection to Cornwall, which not only provided the setting for many of her stories but also served as her lifelong home. She was married to Frederick Browning, with whom she had three children. Her private nature and the secluded lifestyle she led in later years belied a rich and complex inner world, aspects of which she explored through her writing. Allegations about her personal life and sexuality surfaced posthumously, adding layers of intrigue to her legacy.
Daphne Du Maurier died in 1989, securing her place among the most notable writers of her time. Beyond her novels and short stories, du Maurier's plays and biographical works contribute to her enduring legacy, reflecting a multifaceted talent that continues to enthrall readers and audiences alike.
