Outline: Wide Sargasso Sea

Outline

Prompt:

Discuss the portrayal of insanity in Wide Sargasso sea

Thesis

Through the use of character interactions, and personal development throughout the novel, Jean Rhys portrays Insanity as a tool of oppression to highlight the patriarcy exposure to the colonizer to the purpose of developing women in the context of time and environment.

Topic sentence 1: Rhys characterizes insanity is a product of the various forms of oppression and seclusion Antoinette faces throughout her life.

Examples:

• Mr. Mason and Annette's wedding:

Women gossiping at the wedding- Does not understand their ways, does not fit in with the women’s conversation- her’s extends beyond (considered male territory)

Identity crisis: not able to link in with the societal role of women

• Changing of the estate: When it becomes “clean”

It changes her background- which is a reflection of her identity

• Education in the covenant: Taught how to be a house: colonizer oppression/patriarchal exposure)

Based on how to be perfect English wife: Resists it, disdainful but still learns it (numbed in a sense)

Acts as a drone: does what she is told without thought

• Forced marriage: Example of patriarchal oppression

Topic Sentence 2: Rhys demonstrates the idea of insanity as a product of oppression and seclusion in Anette as well, not only to reinforce the idea, but to lend it a certain universality.

Examples:

• Her marriage to Mr. Mason.

She assumes a passive role in every sphere after this event. Though it is unclear what role she used to play, she is forced to marry a twofold oppressor to provide for her family. In doing this, she loses all power and trades her identity for another.

• No say in decision

She constantly tells Mr. Mason that they need to leave. That it is dangerous to stay. And yet, despite her obsession with this, and her superior local knowledge, Mr. Mason refuses to do so.

• Death Of Pierre and Coco

This is what finally “drives her over the edge”. She begins to say, “I told you I told, But did you listen? NO. To hell with all of you.” This is a perfectly acceptable and normal reaction to the loss of loved ones, yet she is treated as insane for asserting her view, of finally telling off the man that got her child killed.

Topic 3: Power and legitimacy carried through with sanity
Examples:
- Rochester mental state in comparision to Antoinettes:
- Seen as sane due to the fact he fits in the society- hence controls power
- Seen as insane: vice versa