Assignment 203 : Character analysis of The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhy's

Assignment 203 : Character analysis of The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhy's

Topic of the Blog :

 Character analysis of The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhy's

This blog is a part of an assignment of the paper 203  - Postcolonial Studies   Sem - 3, 2024.  

-  Introduction of the Novel : 

Wide Sargasso Sea is a 1966 novel by Dominican-British author Jean Rhys. The novel serves as a postcolonial and feminist prequel to Charlotte Brontë's novel Jane Eyre (1847), describing the background to Mr. Rochester's marriage from the point of view of his wife Antoinette Cosway, a Creole heiress. Antoinette Cosway is Rhys's version of Brontë's "madwoman in the attic". Antoinette's story is told from the time of her youth in Jamaica, to her unhappy marriage to an English gentleman, Mr. Rochester, who renames her Bertha, declares her mad, takes her to England, and isolates her from the rest of the world in his mansion. Wide Sargasso Sea explores the power of relationships between men and women and discusses the themes of race, Caribbean history, and assimilation as Antoinette is caught in a white, patriarchal society in which she fully belongs neither to Europe nor to Jamaica.

- Antoinette Cosway (Protagonist) :

Antoinette, the protagonist of Wide Sargasso Sea, is a Creole woman living in post-emancipation Jamaica. Her story revolves around her struggle with identity, as she is rejected both by the white European settlers and the Black Jamaican community. As a Creole, Antoinette is caught between two cultures, neither of which fully accepts her. The alienation she feels is reflected in her tumultuous relationship with her husband, Mr. Rochester, who fails to understand or love her. Antoinette's descent into madness is a result of cultural dislocation, emotional abandonment, and patriarchal oppression. Her mental decline is symbolized by her renaming as 'Bertha', which marks her complete loss of identity. Antoinette’s journey illustrates the destructive effects of colonialism and patriarchy on women, making her a tragic figure whose voice is silenced by the forces of society.


- Christophine (Maternal Figure) :

Christophine is Antoinette’s loyal nurse and caretaker, hailing from Martinique. She represents strength and independence in the novel and is a counterforce to colonial and patriarchal authority. Christophine practices obeah, a form of Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief, which gives her power in the eyes of the local people. Her relationship with Antoinette is one of protection and care, and she becomes a maternal figure for the young girl. Christophine’s defiance of Rochester’s treatment of Antoinette, including her advice to Antoinette to leave him, highlights her resistance to oppressive forces. Christophine’s role as a caretaker and spiritual guide showcases the resistance of indigenous Caribbean culture to European colonialism. She remains a symbol of autonomy and moral strength in the novel.



- Mr. Rochester (Antoinette’s Husband) :

Mr. Rochester, the unnamed Englishman in Wide Sargasso Sea, later identified as the Rochester from Jane Eyre, plays an important yet antagonistic role in Antoinette’s life. His perspective dominates the second part of the novel, where he reveals his prejudices against the Caribbean and its people. Rochester’s discomfort with Antoinette’s Creole background and the local customs contributes to his emotional detachment from her. He marries Antoinette for financial reasons, but once he inherits her wealth, he begins to resent her. His desire to control her is symbolized by his decision to rename her “Bertha” and lock her away in Thornfield Hall. Rochester represents the colonial mindset and patriarchal dominance, using his power to erase Antoinette’s identity. His actions reflect the negative impact of colonialism and gender inequality on both the individual and their relationships.



- Annette Cosway (Antoinette’s Mother) :

Annette, Antoinette’s mother, is a tragic character whose struggles mirror those of her daughter. She faces rejection from both the local Jamaican community and her peers in the European settler community due to her Creole heritage and social status as a widow. Annette’s life is filled with loss, beginning with her husband’s death, which sets the stage for her isolation and mental instability. Her second marriage to Mr. Mason offers a brief period of hope but ultimately leads to tragedy. The burning of Coulibri Estate and the death of her son Pierre lead to Annette’s complete mental breakdown. Her story serves as a foreshadowing of Antoinette’s own fate, as both women are victims of a society that marginalizes them due to their gender and cultural background.



- Tia (Antoinette’s Childhood Friend) :

Tia is a young Black girl who shares a complicated friendship with Antoinette during their childhood in Jamaica. Although they initially form a bond, their relationship becomes strained due to the racial and social tensions present in the post-emancipation society. Tia’s betrayal—stealing Antoinette’s dress and throwing a rock at her—symbolizes the deep divisions between the colonizers and the colonized. Tia’s actions are a reflection of the resentment and mistrust between the races in Jamaica, illustrating the fractured relationships that arise from colonial rule. Her betrayal marks a significant moment in Antoinette’s life, as it underscores the isolation and rejection she feels from both the Black and white communities.



- Mr. Mason (Annette’s Second Husband) :

Mr. Mason, Annette’s second husband, is an Englishman who embodies colonial arrogance and ignorance. He believes in the superiority of European civilization and dismisses the warnings about the potential dangers in Jamaica. His failure to understand the complexities of Jamaican society leads to disastrous consequences, such as the burning of Coulibri Estate and the death of his son Pierre. Mr. Mason’s patronizing attitude toward Annette further exacerbates her mental decline, highlighting his inability to provide the support she needs. He represents the colonial mindset that disregards local knowledge and culture, ultimately contributing to the tragic events in the novel.



- Pierre Cosway (Antoinette’s Brother) :

Pierre, Antoinette’s younger brother, is physically and mentally disabled. Although he plays a minor role in the novel, his character is significant in illustrating the vulnerability of the Cosway family in Jamaican society. Pierre’s condition highlights the fragility of the family’s position as Creole elites, with their social standing crumbling after the abolition of slavery. Annette’s devotion to Pierre reflects her deep maternal love and her struggle to protect her children in a hostile and unstable environment. Pierre’s death in the fire at Coulibri Estate marks a turning point in the novel, symbolizing the destruction of Antoinette’s childhood and the shattering of her family.


- Minor Characters:

- Godfrey and Christophine’s Friends:

These minor characters represent the complex dynamics between the servants and their employers in colonial society. They highlight the differences in social class and the divisions within the Creole and Black Jamaican communities.

- The Luttrells:

The Luttrells symbolize the decline of colonial estates and the precariousness of the Creole class. Their presence in the novel underscores the economic instability that follows the end of slavery and the collapse of colonial power.

Conclusion : 

These characters are integral to understanding the themes of identity, race, colonialism, and cultural dislocation in Wide Sargasso Sea. Each character’s story contributes to the novel’s exploration of the personal and societal struggles that arise from colonialism and patriarchy.

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References :

Jean Rhys (1966) The Wide Sargasso Sea Norton Paperback, Fiction 1982.