by Jane Ward

Created on: July 18, 2008   Last Updated: August 12, 2008

Anyone who has spent time in someone else's shadow will instantly love Rebecca. Set in nineteenth century Europe, DuMaurier's novel is a true gothic piece. It is a tale of romance tinged with ghosts from a past filled with violence, secrets, and lies. DuMaurier establishes her setting like an expert, making the large, lonely house a character in itself, which adds to the eeriness of the gothic tone.

When Maxim de Winter brings his new bride home to his mansion, Manderly, his housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, who was highly devoted to Maxim's first wife, does not approve. The newest Mrs. De Winter is very young, and not from the upper echelon of society into which her husband has brought her. While Maxim spends his days tending to business affairs, she is left alone to fill the very large and intimidating shoes that the late Rebecca de Winter left behind.

Famous for throwing large balls, and generally being a social butterfly beloved by all, Rebecca lives on in the memories of the servants and the other inhabitants of the countryside. It is easy to see why our young heroine feels inadequate and lost in her new station in life. Mrs. Danvers has no patience with or respect for her new mistress, always comparing her actions to those of the deceased Rebecca, to whom she insists on referring as "Mrs. De Winter." The reader never learns the first name or maiden name of our young heroine and narrator, and the fact that the title of "Mrs. De Winter" is denied her as well only adds to our understanding of how little she thinks of herself, and how easily she is manipulated be the people her husband employs.

DuMaurier skillfully puts the reader a position of complete empathy with the young narrator. Given only the facts that the narrator herself posesses, the reader can hardly expect the plot twists as they come. We are left utterly shocked when the truth finally comes out.

However, redaing between the lines, it IS possible for the astute reader to realize things the narrator doesn't. For example, the fact that if she were to simply stand up to Mrs. Danvers and treat her as she is used to being treated; like a servant, they might have had a salvageable working relationship. Or, what I have always suspected, that Maxim's accountant Frank is in love with the new Mrs. De Winter and is perhaps a better match for her than her husband is.

Given the complete empathy we have with the narrator from the start, not being able to show her the obvious ways in which she is being manipulated and mistreated can be frustrating in exactly the way a good novel should be. When we long to reach into the pages of a book and help the protagonist, isn't that the sing of an engaging read?

Ultimately, Rebecca is a warning of what can happen when you try to bury the past, and keeps secrets from those who are close to you. From the narration style, to the choice of title, to the intricacies of every character, DuMaurier has created an extremely well though out story that will haunt both the lover of ghost stories and the hopeless romantic.

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