Character Overview
Antoinette: Jean Rhys takes the demented ex-wife from Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, and puts a story behind her. Antoinette Cosway, a privileged Creole daughter of an ex-slave owner, was born and grew up in Coulibri, and after the passing of her father, she only had her mother and nurse to look after her, but after her brother Pierre gets sick, the nurse was all she had. Growing up a Creole, she was often torn between her color and the culture that surrounded her. Upon the revolt of the black population in Martinique, Antoinette was sent to … to attend a Catholic school, where her introversion and confusion grew. When she turned 18, her step-brother arrived with wedding arrangements. She was then married to a nameless English man and sent away to live in Granbois. From the pressures of her husband and disgruntled staff, her confusion ate at her more than ever. Eventually she went crazy, and her husband whisked her away to England, and locked her up in an attic. Her insanity culminated in her burning down the house and killing herself.
Christophine: Given to Annette as a gift upon her marriage to Alexander Cosway, she is the main servant of the house and nurse to Antoinette. Christophine is ever-present in Antoinette’s life and seems to be the only one that truly cares about her. Contrary to how Antoinette feels about herself, Christophine is completely confident in her race, which translates into a general confidence in life. Although she no longer works for her, Christophine continues to advise Antoinette throughout her marriage. When it gets rough, Chirstophine advises Antoinette to walk, but Antoinette does not contain the confidence or power to do such a thing. Christophine also does magic and uses it to fix Antoinette’s marriage and soon Antoinette.
Mr. Rochester: Although never mentioned, the English man that Antoinette marries can be assumed from Jane Eyre to be Mr. Rochester. He enters the marriage reluctantly to begin with, but he tries to make it work. However, when he receives a letter filled with bad things about Antoinette and her family, he draws away from Antoinette. He then sleeps with the maid Amelie, further upsetting Antoinette. As Antoinette tries harder, he draws further away; he even gives her a nickname, Bertha. This only drives Antoinette crazier, until he finally gets her declared insane, and goes back to England. There, he locks her up in the attic of his manor.
Annette Mason: Originally from Martinique, Annette is the mother of Antoinette. After her husband died, she was left alone to keep the estate running. The estate falls into disarray, and Annette does not begin to socialize again until new neighbors, the Luttrells come. She then marries Mr. Mason, a wealthy man, but she does not want to stay in Coulibri. Soon, the people riot outside their home and set fire to it. She tries to save her son and her parrot, but she is too late. She then goes crazy, blaming Mr. Mason for the death of both. She is then left by Mr. Mason in a house in Spanish Town to be cared for. Annette dies ambiguously while Antoinette is in the convent school.
Christophine: Given to Annette as a gift upon her marriage to Alexander Cosway, she is the main servant of the house and nurse to Antoinette. Christophine is ever-present in Antoinette’s life and seems to be the only one that truly cares about her. Contrary to how Antoinette feels about herself, Christophine is completely confident in her race, which translates into a general confidence in life. Although she no longer works for her, Christophine continues to advise Antoinette throughout her marriage. When it gets rough, Chirstophine advises Antoinette to walk, but Antoinette does not contain the confidence or power to do such a thing. Christophine also does magic and uses it to fix Antoinette’s marriage and soon Antoinette.
Mr. Rochester: Although never mentioned, the English man that Antoinette marries can be assumed from Jane Eyre to be Mr. Rochester. He enters the marriage reluctantly to begin with, but he tries to make it work. However, when he receives a letter filled with bad things about Antoinette and her family, he draws away from Antoinette. He then sleeps with the maid Amelie, further upsetting Antoinette. As Antoinette tries harder, he draws further away; he even gives her a nickname, Bertha. This only drives Antoinette crazier, until he finally gets her declared insane, and goes back to England. There, he locks her up in the attic of his manor.
Annette Mason: Originally from Martinique, Annette is the mother of Antoinette. After her husband died, she was left alone to keep the estate running. The estate falls into disarray, and Annette does not begin to socialize again until new neighbors, the Luttrells come. She then marries Mr. Mason, a wealthy man, but she does not want to stay in Coulibri. Soon, the people riot outside their home and set fire to it. She tries to save her son and her parrot, but she is too late. She then goes crazy, blaming Mr. Mason for the death of both. She is then left by Mr. Mason in a house in Spanish Town to be cared for. Annette dies ambiguously while Antoinette is in the convent school.
Point of view
The point of view of Wide Sargasso Sea is first person throughout the novel. However, the perspectives change in the novel. The story is told mostly by Antoinette, but also by her husband, and when in England, by Grace Poole. The differing perspectives only offer one side to many of the situations, and leave the true intentions of everyone a mystery. Also, the many retellings of events throughout the novel by different people blur the truth of the events retold.