Rhys characterizes insanity is a product of the various forms of oppression and seclusion Antoinette faces throughout her life. The first instances of such oppression occurs at Anette’s ad Mr. Mason wedding. Specifically through the gossip of the proper English women present at the wedding. She clearly does not fit in with these women, and is present to some nasty commentary on her mother and herself. This is the first instance of her struggle to keep her identity as a Creole. Her fortitude of mind comes from the familiarity of the setting, especially as it is a reflection of the identity she is attempting to inhabit. Thus, the next instance of her struggle for identity is present when the estate is “cleaned up”. She took refuge and found solace in the place she knew best, this is also true of her perception of herself as a native, but is challenged when the estate is made tidy and proper again. This is also reflective of her own attempts to be the perfect English women. Her conversion is unsuccessful. She is rejected by the black community, specifically when Tia throws a rock at her. This, though certainly not the first time she is rejected, it is the most meaningful rejection as she is has finally chosen who she wants to be. This leads to the seeds of insanity being placed in her head. This insanity is furthered by the “conventional” convent school. This is a version of indoctrination reduces Antoinette to little more than a drone. This starts her for her blow up. Her insanity happens in response to being locked up in the basement by Mr. Rochester, a man she was forced to marry by her brother. Who, after the passing of the only other man in the family, Mr. Mason Sr., is in control of all of her finance. So she marries Rochester, he for the money, and her because she has to. He then sleeps with another women, and when she is enraged and screams and attempts to hurt him, she is locked up. Now her “insanity” is not even that. It is, in more honest terms, a legitimate and appropriate reaction to the circumstance she is in. But because she begins to assert herself, by fully expressing her opinion and acting on it, she is insane, acting like a man, or someone with power. Because as a creole women, she is the literal bottom of the totem pole. But this is not the solitary example.
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. The first example of this, is again, Annette’s marriage to Mr. Mason. After the ceremony is complete, she assumes a passive role in every sphere. Though it is unclear what role she held earlier, it is clear that she is now subjected to a dual oppressor. She does this out of necessity to provide for her family, but loses all identity and power. She becomes the English wife, as opposed to the strong creole women. She is then further derived of power as her husband has final say in all family decisions. As opposed to listening for to her and leaving he insists upon staying. No only stepping on her opinion, but spitting in the face of her local knowledge. The implications that she is inferior due to sex and a poor education from a backwards country occurs throughout the novel. This ultimately leads to the destruction of Coulibri and the deaths of Coco and Pierre. This finally drives her over the edge. She begins to rave and threaten and bite. She yells that she repeatedly told him to leave. And that in his arrogance he refused her. That her killed her child and ruined her life. She is put away, out of the sight of the public as a lunatic. But yet again, we see that her reaction is totally justified. Her screaming and crying, and yes even actual insanity is normal. But before she truly snaps, she acts out. She finally reasserts herself as dominating. And again, we see this classified as insanity. Her efforts, ignored until then, are to reflective of a role she can’t play. One of the colonizer or the man. Her insanity gives light to the cruel and relentless system that controlled her life. Effectively producing both a post-colonial and feminist text.
Possibly the most important point of this novel is not in the novel itself, it is instead the context of creation that lends this book all of its power and legitimacy. Jean Rhys herself is the power behind the book. She is able to bring the obvious flaws to light because she has lived the life Antoinette is in. She was a creole women who moved to Europe, and never belonged anywhere. She tried to be an actor, but was refuted for her accent. When asked she even said she had no sense of home. Couple that with failed marriages and a lot of drinking and the inspiration for the novels message and plot become obvious. And most of all, she is able to take this to bounds unknown by making the story the explanation for the classic Jane Eyre. To which, Antoinette plays counter-part. The dark reflection of both Jane Eyre and Jean Rhys.
In conclusion, Jean Rhys is able to effectively create a post-colonial and feminist text. She does this through her own life as well as characterization, conflict, and inter character interactions. The mental illness that befalls Annette and Antoinette is reflective of their circumstance, and of the tyrannical rule of the patriarchy itself. She is able to craft a beautiful world that the audience can engage with, then shatter it to emphasis the insanity only brought to light in this era of post colonialism.
