(And by the way, if you're a sucker for a good first line, you can find plenty more here.)
But why is "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" a good first line?
I can think of at least two reasons. First, because it sets the tone for the novel—one of nostalgia and mystery. And second, because it establishes the frame of the story.
We've already read one book with a frame this year: The Catcher in the Rye. Unlike Holden Caulfield, however, who doesn't really break into the story he is recounting again until the end, the unnamed narrator of Rebecca continually interrupts her narrative in the early chapters, making us very aware of the interweaving of the past and the present in the story, which just happens to be one of many interesting themes in this novel.
Assignments:
As always, be on the lookout for anything you'd like to discuss when we meet next, on December 4th. And please complete one of the following activities, to the best of your ability.
- Complete the following sentence with either a, b, or c, whichever you feel is most apt, and come to our discussion with some evidence to back it up. Rebecca is a novel about a) the effects of the past upon the present, b) the balance of power in marriage, or c) the fantasies of a jealous, insecure woman.
- Decide which character you find most compelling and why. Support your choice with a brief explanation, quotes from the book, illustrations, a personal story arc for that character, or anything else you think does the trick.
- Imagine what happens next. Take us ten years down the road from the end of the book and let us know what's going on with each of the characters, what their lives are like, where they are, and what they're up to.
