Minor characters in Wide Sargasso Sea

Question

Discuss the significance (or role and function) of minor characters in Wide Sargasso Sea.

Some Definitions

Minor characters are the people in a story who are not the main point of the story (for instance, not the person who the story is happening TO), but still interact with or grab the attention of those main characters.

Some Definitions

They exist in relation to the major characters. Without the major characters like Antoinette and Rochester, the minor characters hold little value in existence or meaning. They illuminate or help you to understand the major characters

Some Definitions

They set in motion (important) events and / or conflicts that affect the major character i.e. their actions and words have major impact on the main characters’ fatesTheir appearance in the novel is often brief

Character List

AntoinetteRochesterAnnetteChristophine DuboisAlexander CoswayDaniel Cosway / BoydSandi CoswayAunt CoraMr MasonRichard MasonTiaAmelieBaptisteMrs ElfGrace PooleGodfrey

PierreMr LuttrellLeahMother St. JustineMannieMailotteMyraSister Marie AugustineLouise de PlanaHildaBetrandRoseYoung BullJo-joSass

Which ones are worth mentioning / discussing?

Using the definitions given to you in the previous few slides, your choice of characters must depend on their significance / role and function in terms of how they contribute to themes and plot and the characterisation of the major characters.

Which ones are worth mentioning / discussing?

The characters listed over the next few slides are placed in no particular order (i.e. you need to form an argument and select the characters accordingly.) There must be sufficient significant events / episodes for you to base your analysis on.

Which ones are worth mentioning / discussing?

AnnetteTiaMr MasonRichard MasonAmelie

Daniel CoswaySandi CoswayAunt CoraGrace PooleAlexander Cosway

Annette

She is rejected by the Jamaicans, who despise her because of her beauty and her identity (she’s from Martinique). [Find evidence to support this.] This is especially so after Alexander Cosway, a former slave owner dies and leaves her with little especially since the Emancipation Act which freed all the slaves under Alexander Cosway. [Find evidence]

Annette

Annette’s rejection and emotional abandonment of Antoinette, favoring Pierre over her causes deep psychological effects leading to a sense of isolation and alienation [find evidence].Eventually goes mad after Pierre dies and is abused by the black caretakers. This is witnessed by Antoinette and leaves deep psychological scars [find evidence].

Annette

Parallels between Antoinette and Annette – motifs and namesRochester wants to dissociate Antoinette from Annette - madness

Annette

Ideas explored through AnnetteDislocation,Dependence of women on marriage and men,MotherhoodIsolationDiscrimination,MoneyMadness

Tia

Antoinette’s childhood playmate. Is a foil to Antoinette – represents what Antoinette wants to be, a person with strong cultural identity and belonging. Antoinette thinks that she is a friend but is eventually betrayed.Tia’s attraction to the three pennies also show the importance of money in the novel.

Tia

Calls her ‘white cockroach’ [why is this significant?] and points out to Antoinette the decline of the Cosways - articulates the discrimination and despise of the Caribbean for the Creoles who do not have any more money. Attracted by the three pennies and exchange of clothes at the bathing pool – attraction of money and the change / reversal in fortunes

Tia

Mirror image and the rejection of Antoinette at Coulibri during the fireAppearance in part three of the novel –the dream – longing for her and to be her

Tia

Ideas explored through her MoneyBetrayalDiscriminationIdentity

Grace PooleNarrates the beginning of part three, offering a different perspective – English caretaker who took on the job for money. Falls asleep while on watch –inadequate in keeping watchTransition between the Caribbean and England – her character makes an explicit link between Jane Eyreand Wide Sargasso Sea. Interaction with Antoinette shows how she alternates between sanity and insanityDoes she offer pity or is she detached? How does she shape our understanding and response to Antoinette?

Mr. Mason

Antoinette’s step-father, Annette’s second husband. Brings order to Coulibri Estate and brings it back to its former glory. Introduces an English way of life to Antoinette – English food, The Miller’s DaughterDoes not understand the Jamaicans nor the Caribbean and his obstinate refusal to trust Annette’s gut instinct about the locals causes the demise of Pierre and the razing of Coulibri.

Mr Mason

Ideas explored: IdentityColonialism after abolishment of slavery i.e. Emancipation Act ExploitationCultural misunderstandings

Aunt Cora

Strong woman who plays contrasts with Annette in terms of the mother figure. Maintains a clear presence of mind in face of adversity Offers Antoinette security and comfort, stepping in to protect Antoinette whenever she can. Understands the locals and is astute in her observations

Aunt Cora

Opposes the arranged marriage, which does not protect Antoinette if anything goes wrong - quarrels with Richard Mason and gives Antoinette her two rings, to help her out when she needs money.

Aunt Cora

Ideas exploredStrong women charactersMotherhood

Richard Mason

Mr Mason’s son from his first marriage and Antoinette’s step-brotherArranges Antoinette’s marriage to Rochester, promising Rochester’s family 30 000 pounds and ownership of all that Antoinette owns (especially under the English Law)Quarrels with Aunt Cora who opposes such an arrangement

Richard Mason

Reappears in Part Three of the novel, visiting Antoinette and is attacked by herPartly responsible for Antoinette’s plight in Part Three

Richard Mason

Ideas exploredManipulationBetrayal

Daniel Cosway

One of Alexander Cosway’s bastard children.Mixed heritage – half black, half white –racially splitServes as a contrast to Antoinette’s identity – culturally splitCalls himself Esau (biblical allusion –significance of name?)

Daniel Cosway

Daniel’s letter is of utmost importance - sends Rochester letters to inform him of Antoinette’s family that is omitted by Richard Mason, Annette’s madness, Antoinette’s possible inheritance of her madness and the illicit relationship with SandiImportant to consider the tone of the letter, the content of his letter – bitter, hypocritical.

Daniel Cosway

Adopts a Christian persona and hopes to warn Rochester about Antoinette’s family history but also asks for 500 pounds eventually.

Daniel Cosway

Ideas explored: HypocrisyIdentityMoneyEvils and effects of slavery and exploitationRumour

Sandi CoswayOne of Alexander Cosway’s bastard children, Antoinette’s half-brother (though referred to as ‘cousin’)Racially mixed but is, according to Daniel Cosway, ‘more handsome than any white man’ and is well received by polite white society – used by Daniel to cause jealousy in RochesterAntoinette was scolded by Mr Mason when she mentions this ‘cousin’ of hers – racial superiority and embarrassment of black relativesIn part 1, comes to Antoinette’s rescue when she is bullied and harassed on her way to school

Sandi CoswayLater, he becomes the source of gossip and his rumoured relationship with Antoinette sets off Rochester’s jealousy. Daniel also suggests that Sandi and Antoinette were sexually involved. Antoinette's fragmented memory of a goodbye kiss with Sandi supports this possibility that the two may have been intimate at some pointAlso fondly remembers how Sandi taught her to throw rocks at the monster crab in the pondExact nature of the relationship is neither confirmed nor denied, lending an ambiguity to their relationship – deliberately indeterminate

Sandi Cosway

Ideas explored: RumoursIncestIdentityJealousy

AmelieConstantly gives knowing looks and sniggers to suggest unsettle Antoinette and Rochester, showing her disdain for Antoinette – Creole identity and knowledge of her background. Mocks. Contemptuous. Manipulative.Rude and insolent. Insults Antoinette and retaliates when she is slapped, calling her a ‘white cockroach’. Seduces and sleeps with Rochester. Uses the money that Rochester offers to start a new life in Rio. Explicitly expresses pity for Rochester and especially Antoinette.

Amelie

Ideas exploredDiscriminationMoneyIdentityStatus

Follow up during supplementary lessons

Discuss the significance (or role and function) of minor characters in Wide Sargasso Sea.Use the characters in this lecture to respondFind evidence to support the response