In part one of Wild Sargasso Sea, we are told the story of Antoinette up untill the age of 17. She lives in Spanish town in the West Indies. Throughout Antoinettes childhood, she and her family suffer constant discrimination from the local people as she belongs to the family of an old slave owner. Eventually the local people force Antoinette and her family to flee from the town, by setting their house alight. Antoinette awakens in a school ran by nuns where she stays untill she is 17. Her mother is decending into madness.
From section one alone it is clear that there are distinct similarities between the characters Antoinette and Jane's childhoods. Firstly, the narrative voice in wide sargasso sea is Antoinette, so we are told every thought that Antoinette experiences, much alike Jane Eyre. The novel also starts off quite negative and there is a strong theme of isolation. It is clear that Antoinette and her family are very seperate to the rest of the towns people. Antoinette is often pushed away by her mother which is similar to Janes relationship with her aunt.
I found wild sargasso sea alot easier to read than Jane Eyre. The very long descriptions of setting and emotion Bronte uses gets quite tedious and in my opinion slows the story too much. I like how the novel progresses faster in wild sargasso sea, while still getting a good insight into Antoinettes thoughts and emotions.
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Thanks for these comments. The links with JE are strong. Do you think that Rhys' narrative style allows the reader more room to create a picture of the characters for themself? We fill in the gaps? Does the way it's written reflect the randomness of thought patterns? Do you find any particular passges striking and effective?
Have a read of other student views and post your views on their responses.
Hey Josh. I agree that wide sargasso is better that Jane Eyre. I also felt that Bronte's long descriptions got extremely tedious. There does seem to be many similarities between Jane and antoinette, i think that we will see more and more as we read further.... but only time will tell...... lol
Nicely read Joshage! I was also especially hit by the theme of isolation in part 1. I reckon this continues in part 2 as well but more subtley because Antoinette still seems to feel alone even with Rochester.
I reckoned that Jane Eyre was, although not necessarily beter, was easier to read as it had a much more straight talking narration, whereas sometimes I find it hard to know what exactly is happening in WSS.
Seeyas later
Sean
I find it interesting that you found this easier to read than Jane Eyre, do you prefer this book? I find it harder because you have to guess at things and work stuff out for yourself, but with Jane Eyre everything is pretty much told to you straight away!
I agree with elle and sean...i preferred the narrative voice and structure of Jane Eyre. With the long winded descriptions aside i think it is more straight to the pointI I also thought that the plot was actually much better than wss, which i felt as a book lacked the same pace and excitement in places which JE provided!!
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