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Rebecca by Daphne Du MaurierBECHS Pre-AP English 1Summer Reading and AssignmentsTeacher: Carrie Clancy, cclancy@You will need to get a copy of the novel, Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier. Complete the following assignments as you read and have them ready to submit on the first day of school, August 25, 2014. This is mandatory work.VocabularyFor each word, provide a definition as well as one synonym and one antonym. Also provide a definition for the synonym and antonym for a total of three definitions.Keep these separate from the other work, as they will be part of the vocabulary section of your notebook.Chapter QuestionsAnswer the questions in complete sentences on separate paper. Use textual evidence when appropriate. Be sure to indicate the chapter and question number in your answers.Essay QuestionsAnswer these questions in short essay format. Answers should be half a page to one page in length and include specific evidence from the text.Email Ms. Clancy for any questions throughout your reading!Ten Elements of Gothic LiteratureGothic fiction originally arose in England in the late 18th and early 19th century. It soon spread to other parts of the world, especially the United States, where it influenced the writing of such authors as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe. It falls in the realm of Romantic literature although it often explores darker and more tragic themes than other Romantic works of the period. It is distinguished by a number of very specific qualities. SettingGothic literature often is set in old, rundown structures, especially castles or great country manors. The building usually features hidden passages, trap doors, dungeons or secret rooms, and has suffered a decline from its former greatness.EnvironmentThe environment around the setting reflects a bleak or foreboding atmosphere: dark forests, imposing mountains, stormy weather or areas far away from civilization.AtmosphereGothic literature stresses an atmosphere of mystery, horror and dread. The plot involves hidden secrets that threaten the protagonist.ProtagonistsThe protagonists of Gothic literature are isolated or alone. That isolation could be physical (trapped in a house far from civilization) or emotional (cut off from the people around her), and may either be self-imposed or a result of circumstances beyond her control.EmotionsEmotions run high in Gothic literature. Characters are often passionate and strong-willed, defying others or even their own common sense in pursuit of their goals. Women are often curious and have a tendency to swoon, while men storm and rage in reflection of unseen inner torments.Damsels in DistressThe “damsel in distress” motif appears quite often in Gothic literature, with women threatened by tyrannical men or just the circumstances in which they find themselves. They often appear frightened and may suffer from some kind of ailment.ForebodingOminous implications precede dark events in Gothic literature. Unlucky omens appear, ancient curses linger in the air, and dark forces beyond the hero’s control thwart his ambitions.The SupernaturalThe supernatural often appears in Gothic literature, particularly ghosts and unexplained manifestations. In some Gothic novels, these elements ultimately have a rational explanation, but the implication always suggests something not of this world.DecayThe overall impression of a Gothic world is one of decay: a formerly great family, community, country or individual who has peaked and now begins a slow process of decline. This appears both in the landscape (crumbling buildings) and in the characters themselves.DramaThe events in Gothic literature emphasize high emotion and often reflect a heightened sense of drama. Examples include murders, kidnappings, people going mad and tragic illnesses.Rebecca Vocabulary ListDefine each vocabulary word and find one synonym and one antonym, defining those as well for a total of three definitions. Chapters 1-3Sepulcher11. SubterfugePanacea12. LabyrinthAntidote13. VanguardGarnered14. OstentatiousForthright15. ProfferedCamaraderie16. SymmetryDespondency17. SardonicMullioned18. PremonitionStaccato19. SubservientEngendered20. AquilineChapters 4-6Supremacy7. DegradationInfinitesimal8. OdiousPomposity9. SloughPhilanthropy10. RendezvousClamoured11. TousledFurtive12. MilieuChapters 7-8Faux-pas6. AustereEntwined7. EncroachingSentinel8. InterloperMusty9. LanguorousEffacingChapters 9-10Stigma7. ObtrudeHeinous8. MyriadQuietude9. BroadsideCareening10. GhastlyInveterate11. BeziqueCallous12. TweedyChapters 11-12Utterance6. FeyHarping7. ForebodingPunctillious8. LatentFastidioius9. DerogatoryBeacon10. DowagerChapters 13-14Rakish5. SmolderingLintel6. FanciedSupplication7. InterlacedDivan8. WaftedChapters 15-17Rouge4. BounderGabled5. DraughtQuerulously6. UnobtrusivelyChapters 18-20Wringing4. MullionedAustere5. JibAground6. BlasphemeChapters 21-23InquestScuttledCryptChapters 24-25BallastDiscordantSluiceFiverChapter 26-27Clandestine5. VeracityWizened6. BanteringTorrent7. PreposterousMorphiaRebecca Chapter QuestionsAnswer the following questions on separate pieces of notebook paper. Be sure to include textual evidence when appropriate and to write in complete sentences.Chapters 1-2How did the narrator know the house to once be? List specific details.What are at least five specific things that the narrator will remember in regards to the estate?What is the reality of the narrator’s life at this time she is remembering Manderley?How is Mrs. Van Hopper described? What is her function?Chapters 3-10Describe Maxim de Winter. What traits have the narrator described? What kind of man is he?Describe the Manderley that the narrator anticipated. What were her actual first impressions of the mansion?What was her first impression of Frith? What was her first impression fo Mrs. Danvers?Think back to the descriptions of the east wing and the west wing. How are the two similar? How are they different?What is the narrator’s first impression of Beatrice?How is Maxim seen at this point in the story?What does the narrator feel in regards to Happy Valley? To the cove?Chapters 11-16Why couldn’t Mrs. de Winter get the cottage out of her mind? How does Maxim’s behavior worry her?In what ways does the Bishop’s wife make Mrs. de Winter feel insecure? What is the woman’s parting request?Why isn’t Frank able to make Mrs. de Winter feel better? What does she learn from Frank in regards to Rebecca’s death? How long was it before they found her body?What is it that Frank says that causes Mrs. de Winter to realize that Rebecca may not have been all that people thought her to be? What does he say to compliment Maxim’s new wife? At the end of chapter 11, Rebecca becomes the focus of attention. What effect does this have on the reader? What effect does it seem to have on Mrs. de Winter?How does the morning room seem to make Rebecca hover over Mrs. de Winter?Why is Jasper sitting in Mrs. de Winter’s lap significant? What subject is dominating her thoughts at the end of chapter 12?The name of Rebecca’s boat may be considered an example of foreshadowing. If it is such, what might one expect to come?What questions arise in Mrs. de Winter’s mind as she thinks about Favell’s visit? Then, describe Jack Favell. What is his attitude when he speaks about Maxim.What questions are left in both a reader’s and Mrs. de Winter’s mind at the end of chapter 13.Why is Mrs. Danvers’ description of Rebecca’s and Maxim’s happiness confusion to the new Mrs. de Winter?What is strange about Maxim’s trip to identify his wife’s body?What conclusions does Mrs. de Winter draw when she thinks about Maxim’s not wanting her to occupy the west wing or visit the cottage?Describe Mrs. Danvers. Be sure to consider her physical appearance, her dress and her attitude and actions towards both Rebecca and Mrs. de Winter. At the start of chapter 16, the mood of the story intensifies. How does the author achieve this? What is the weather like on the day of the ball? What conclusions can be drawn from this change?How does Frank’s intended kindness to Mrs. de Winter make her feel more humble?Describe Mrs. de Winter’s daydream at the dinner table? What is Maxim’s reaction to it? How does this daydream foreshadow the disaster that takes place at the end of the chapter?How is Mrs. de Winter’s costume the fulfillment of her daydream? How do Maxim and the others react to the drum roll?For a moment it seems as if the story could end at chapter 16. Then, questions arise that make this no longer possible. What are these questions? What bits of the plot must still be finalized?Chapters 17-21What does Beatrice reveal about Mrs. de Winter’s costume and about Maxim’s interpretations of her wearing it?Recall the description of Manderley when the rockets are fired. Then recall the description of the house in the dream Mrs. de Winter has at the beginning of the novel. How are the two alike?Why does Frank insist that he needs to talk to Mrs. de Winter? Do you wish he could? Why?What saves Mrs. de Winter from committing suicide?How does Maxim characterize Rebecca? What evidence does Mrs. de Winter have that this is an accurate picture?How does Mrs. de Winter blame herself for Maxim not telling her earlier?What does Rebecca use to taunt Maxim? What is his unbearable threat? What one mistake did he make in disposing of the boat and the body? Why did he go alone to identify the body?What does Colonel Julyan tell Mrs. de Winter about the body found in the boat? What does she suddenly realize about Frank as a result? Why does Colonel Julyan talk to long about the “elementary mistake” that took Rebecca’s life?What is Maxim really saying when he tells his wife that everything is going to be fine?Do you think Maxim wants a companion or someone to make him forget Rebecca? Explain.Chapters 22-27Why is Maxim disturbed by the newspaper articles?At what point in the inquest does Mrs. de Winter have to leave?What is the outcome of the inquest? What question raised by Mrs. de Winter makes us realize that there is more to come?How does Favell reveal himself as a despicable person? What is his real motive for coming to Manderley? What are the mistakes he makes that cause him to lose? How does Favell’s witness actually help Maxim’s case? How has Rebecca’s behavior in the community unwittingly helped it?What does Mrs. de Winter fear about Dr. Baker?What actions of Mrs. de Winter show that there has been a role change for the couple?What premonition does Mrs. de Winter have as she leaves the house? What does this foreshadow? What other reaction does she have that might be considered an omen?What was Rebecca’s last practical joke? What conclusion does Maxim draw from it?About what does Mrs. de Winter dream during the ride home? Why is that dream significant?Why do the de Winters know what they see ahead is not the dawn? Who do you think set fire to Manderley? Why?Rebecca Essay QuestionsAnswer the following essay questions in short essay format. Answers should be half a page to one page in length. Be sure to include evidence from the text to support all answers.Discuss the role of Manderley in the novel—both the house itself and its ground and beach. How does setting contribute to the book’s plot? To the book’s tone?Discuss the elements that make Rebecca a work of gothic literature.Analyze the heroine’s marriage to Maxim. How does their relationship develop during the course of the novel? ................
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