Settling In - Rebecca Chapters 12-14
It's all kicking off in Manderley
Summary: The Narrator finds out just how deep the love for Rebecca runs in Manderley, as her anxiety increases and her confidence crumbles.
Chapter 12
When it comes to Manderley, everything has a ritual and the Narrator is struggling to place her mark upon the place. Even when it comes to something as simple as placing a vase in a new position, or filling her time in the morning room, she will be met with comments regarding Rebecca’s preference and habits. This causes retraction and acquiescence regarding the initial choice of action, which leaves us almost screaming for the Narrator to stick to her decision, or become a little more assertive.
She accidentally breaks a porcelain figurine and the fallout, in which she becomes apologetic and childlike, sees her being scolded by Maxim (calling her a ‘little idiot’), while Mrs Danvers takes delight in the apparent incompetence and subterfuge put in place to ‘cover up’ the accident. Oneupmanship is clearly a trait which Mrs Danvers takes great delight in exhibiting.
Another interesting element in this chapter is when Maxim (once again) says the quiet part out loud, when out of the blue he proclaims ‘I wonder if I did a very selfish thing in marrying you.’
‘I’m not much of a companion to you, am I? There are too many years between us. You ought to have waited, and then married a boy of your own age. Not someone like myself, with half his life behind him.’
The tension cools, but it’s hard not to feel immense empathy toward the Narrator. Maxim continues to be so businesslike when it comes to their relationship, showing very little in terms of genuine love or care. It’s challenging, because he’s clearly in mourning for Rebecca, and is mostly cordial when it comes to his new wife, but is cordiality enough? Is this representative of the era, of class and breeding? Stoic, repressed and businesslike are adjectives which could probably have been applied to most upper class British men of the era. Perhaps we are expecting too much.
Chapter 13
The Narrator catches Ben inside the beach house once again, and he is greatly on edge. He provides further indication that Rebecca wasn’t charming and delightful to everybody. He is kind to the Narrator and she responds to this accordingly. She is accepting, but somewhat dismissive of him, however, when she returns to the house, something of even greater intrigue is taking place.
Mrs. Danvers is hosting a visitor while Maxim is in London. Jack Favell’s appearance deepens the mystery of Rebecca’s life. He is clearly a scoundrel, and his casual demeanor and familiarity with Mrs. Danvers unsettles the narrator. Favell’s charm hides an underlying menace that the narrator senses but cannot fully articulate.
"There was something about his voice, the way he spoke, that turned my heart to ice."
The house’s darkened corners and Favell’s unannounced presence add to the growing sense of danger. There is something sinister about this man. He proclaims himself to be Rebecca’s cousin, while ensuring that the Narrator keeps his visit a secret.
What is going on? Mrs Danvers would never step outside the rules, would she?
This chapter is indicative of what a masterful writer du Maurier was. She can feed us just enough to keep us enthralled, while simultaneously creating a continuous path of genuine mystery.
Chapter 14
‘Even if Mrs. Danvers did put the flowers on the mantlepiece and the sheets upon the bed, they would not bring her back. She was dead. She had been dead now for a year. She lay buried in the crypt of the church with all the other dead de Winters.’
Mrs. Danvers gives her a chilling tour of Rebecca’s preserved bedroom. The room is described as though Rebecca still inhabits it, emphasizing her spectral presence and dominance over the household. It’s haunting and confrontational, with Danvers showing unhinged and obsessive behavior. It’s also the first indication that she may have actually been in love with Rebecca.
Rebecca’s lavish bedroom is a sensory overload of luxury and preserved perfection, creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere worthy of Poe or Gaskill, with nightmarish sensations of being both interrogated and trapped.
‘I wanted to run away, but I could not move. I went on watching her eyes.’
This exchange is one which will remain with us for the rest of the novel. The intensity of Mrs. Danvers, along with her barely concealed hatred of the Narrator is on prominent display.
Talking Points
Why do you think Maxim remains so cold with the Narrator?
What do you think is the relationship between Favell and Mrs. Danvers?
How can the Narrator maintain (or indeed establish) some sense of agency in her new surroundings?
What does Ben know?
This isn't the kind of book I would have picked up ordinarily. I absolutely loved it! Thank you for suggesting it. I literally devoured it. What a joy!