Hitchcock's Rebecca

Paper Summary:

The writer of this paper focuses on the character of Joan Fontaine and her struggle to cope with being the wife of a widower. One of the major themes of the film is based around her struggle to be the second wife and to fight the fact that she is second best. The paper examines this struggle of control between Fontaine and Rebecca, the first wife; and how, even though Rebecca is dead, Fontaine still feels extremely threatened by her.

From the Paper:

"Hitchcock's Rebecca is the story of Joan Fontaine, a shy and naive woman who marries Maxim de Winter, a wealthy widow. They return to his home, Manderlay, after their marriage where Fontaine is haunted by the first wife, not ghostly haunted, but haunted by the reminders of Rebecca that are all through the house. Fontaine struggles to take the place of Rebecca yet always feels inferior to her. The housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, actively tries to break up the marriage by reminding Fontaine of the perfect Rebecca. Fontaine becomes suspicious and slowly seeks out the facts surrounding the mystery of Rebecca's death. In revealing the truth about Rebecca, Fontaine is finally able to be free of the expectations placed upon her, and becomes an individual as opposed to an inferior replacement wife. The film is the combination of a love story, a mystery and a personal journey of discovery for Fontaine."

More papers on Hitchcock's Rebecca:

• Film Review # 129001 : "Hail To Hitchcock"
• Analytical Essay # 127902 : "Hitchcock Sets the Scene"
• Analytical Essay # 127900 : "Voyeurism in "Rebecca"

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