"Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier - Thesis essay

The way an individual is seen and the impression that person makes upon others determines the way that person is treated. If one has charisma and self confidence in one's own abilities, those around unconsciously recognise this trait and are inclined to respond with respect. In Daphne du Maurier's novel "Rebecca", the narrator Mrs de Winter's lack of self confidence and assertion are responsible for the lack of respect she receives from others. In comparison, …

…In contrast, Rebecca's narrator lives a life of misery, inflicted by both others and herself, as she feels inferior to all others and therefore unworthy of their respect. In human fashion, the unimpressive impressions made by the narrator influence the treatment others give her and ensure that she is regarded with disdain and contempt, guaranteeing that she remains devoid of charisma and personality, without the moral courage to alter her own behaviour or anybody else's.