[maddie]

Summary
"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again."

This opening line from Rebecca is one of the most powerful, most recognized, in all of literature. For more than sixty years, audiences around the world have praised Daphne du Maurier's novel as a spellbinding blend of mystery, horror, romance, and suspense. In this book, readers can see the traditions of romantic fiction, such as the helpless heroine, the strong-willed hero, and the ancient, imposing house that never seems to unlock its secrets. Using elements familiar to audiences of romances through the ages, from the moody and wind-swept novels of the Brontë sisters in the 1840s to the inexpensive entertainments of today, Rebecca stands out as a superb example of melodramatic storytelling. Modern readers considered this book a compelling page-turner, and it is fondly remembered by most who have read it.

The story concerns a woman who marries an English nobleman and returns with him to Manderley, his country estate. There, she finds herself haunted by reminders of his first wife, Rebecca, who died in a boating accident less than a year earlier. In this case, the haunting is psychological, not physical: Rebecca does not appear as a ghost, but her spirit affects nearly everything that takes place at Manderley. The narrator, whose name is never divulged, is left with a growing sense of distrust toward those who loved Rebecca, wondering just how much they resent her for taking Rebecca's place. In the final chapters, the book turns into a detective story, as the principal characters try to reveal or conceal what really happened on the night Rebecca died.

Discussion Questions

1.Is Rebecca a ghost story? Why or why not?

2.Discuss the role of Mrs. Danvers in the novel.

3.Discuss the character of Maxim. How are his actions consistent or inconsistent with this character?

4. Is justice served at the end of the novel? Why or why not?

5. Discuss the role of Manderley in the novel--both the house itself and its grounds and beach. How does setting contribute to the book's plot? To the book's tone?

6. Discuss the elements that make Rebecca a work of gothic literature.

7. Discuss the role of Jack Favell in the story. Does he help to shed light on Rebecca's character? How does he impact the plot?

8. Analyze the heroine's marriage to Maxim. How does their relationship develop during the course of the novel?

9. Why does the heroine remain nameless? Is this namelessness symbolic?

10. Discuss the role of the Oedipus/Electra complex in the novel.

[suryakala]

HAI to all ILITES,I AM SURYAKALA LIVING IN NEWZEALAND,,Iwas born in TAMILNADU,MY MOTHER TONGUE IS TAMIL,GOT MARRIED IN1978,LIVED IN NORTH INDIA,WE have two sons.ABOUT INDUS LADIES i have to APPRECIATE ur service'its AWESOME,There is no comparison with any other club or society in this WORLD. ITS EXCELLENT.Even though i am a new lite to Ilites i can pick up quickly and i will try to participate in this NEW COMPETITION,SO i am very happy to be in ur group and i am looking forward to receive mails soon, THANKS TO ALL MY TEAM MEMBERS AND I WISH U ALL BEST OF LUCK AND MAY GOD BLESS U ALL, BE HAPPY ALWAYS.ONCE MORE I SAY A THANKS TO EVERY BODY, AND I PARTICULARLY APPRECIATE THE FOUNDER OF THIS GROUP THANKS.BYE GOODNIGHT

[suryakala]

HAI to all ILITES,I AM SURYAKALA LIVING IN NEWZEALAND,,Iwas born in TAMILNADU,MY MOTHER TONGUE IS TAMIL,GOT MARRIED IN1978,LIVED IN NORTH INDIA,WE have two sons.ABOUT INDUS LADIES i have to APPRECIATE ur service'its AWESOME,There is no comparison with any other club or society in this WORLD. ITS EXCELLENT.Even though i am a new lite to Ilites i can pick up quickly and i will try to participate in this NEW COMPETITION,SO i am very happy to be in ur group and i am looking forward to receive mails soon, THANKS TO ALL MY TEAM MEMBERS AND I WISH U ALL BEST OF LUCK AND MAY GOD BLESS U ALL, BE HAPPY ALWAYS.ONCE MORE I SAY A THANKS TO EVERY BODY, AND I PARTICULARLY APPRECIATE THE FOUNDER OF THIS GROUP THANKS.BYE GOODNIGHT

[Anandchitra]

Summary
"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again."

This opening line from Rebecca is one of the most powerful, most recognized, in all of literature. For more than sixty years, audiences around the world have praised Daphne du Maurier's novel as a spellbinding blend of mystery, horror, romance, and suspense. In this book, readers can see the traditions of romantic fiction, such as the helpless heroine, the strong-willed hero, and the ancient, imposing house that never seems to unlock its secrets. Using elements familiar to audiences of romances through the ages, from the moody and wind-swept novels of the Brontë sisters in the 1840s to the inexpensive entertainments of today, Rebecca stands out as a superb example of melodramatic storytelling. Modern readers considered this book a compelling page-turner, and it is fondly remembered by most who have read it.

The story concerns a woman who marries an English nobleman and returns with him to Manderley, his country estate. There, she finds herself haunted by reminders of his first wife, Rebecca, who died in a boating accident less than a year earlier. In this case, the haunting is psychological, not physical: Rebecca does not appear as a ghost, but her spirit affects nearly everything that takes place at Manderley. The narrator, whose name is never divulged, is left with a growing sense of distrust toward those who loved Rebecca, wondering just how much they resent her for taking Rebecca's place. In the final chapters, the book turns into a detective story, as the principal characters try to reveal or conceal what really happened on the night Rebecca died.

Discussion Questions

1.Is Rebecca a ghost story? Why or why not?

2.Discuss the role of Mrs. Danvers in the novel.

3.Discuss the character of Maxim. How are his actions consistent or inconsistent with this character?

4. Is justice served at the end of the novel? Why or why not?

5. Discuss the role of Manderley in the novel--both the house itself and its grounds and beach. How does setting contribute to the book's plot? To the book's tone?

6. Discuss the elements that make Rebecca a work of gothic literature.

7. Discuss the role of Jack Favell in the story. Does he help to shed light on Rebecca's character? How does he impact the plot?

8. Analyze the heroine's marriage to Maxim. How does their relationship develop during the course of the novel?

9. Why does the heroine remain nameless? Is this namelessness symbolic?

10. Discuss the role of the Oedipus/Electra complex in the novel.

1. No its not a Ghost story but the remembrance of the woman haunts the couple.
2. She was in love with Rebecca and so set out to destroy anyone else who took her place.
3. Very consistent.
4. Yes justice is served. No secrets between the couple so they couldliv ein peace and happiness.
5. The house is needed as a base for Rebecca to have existed and her existence to be reminded.
6. dont know answer
7. dont know
8. She thought her husband still loved Rebecca but when she knew that wasnt the case she realises the gap is bridged.
9. She had to make the effort to grow out of the child person.
10. I dont know what that is.sorry

[maddie]

hi ac

Thanks for your response. I will be posting my views today in the meantime, we could start My Sisters Keepers by Jodi Picoult.

Regards
Madie

[Anandchitra]

Maddie
I did not get this book. please suggest something else. Thanks.

[Nandshyam]

Do you guys have any specific genre to suggest or can it be anything..

let me know :)

[Anandchitra]

I personally would like it to be on the spiritual side.

Anything more comtemporary would be fine :)

[maddie]

I personally would like it to be on the spiritual side.

Anything more comtemporary would be fine :)

Any suggestions AC.
Regards
Maddie

[Sumathy]

Hi Maddie,

Wow! You have taken a real effort here. I have read the book long time back and hence am not able to answer the questions one by one. And Iam waiting to read your opinion/review.

I do read books regularly but I am very sceptical about joining the review clubs - because it is difficult for me to committ a time - i am a working mother with 2 kids. So, i stayed out of this forum. but i really appreciate your interest and effort.

I recently finished Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and am planning to read 'Interpreter of maladies'.

Will be checking here more often and participate whenever I can. All the best.

Cheers,

Sumathy