The Wide Sargasso Sea v. Jane Eyre

The Wide Sargasso Sea is the prequel to Jane Eyre written in 1966 by Jean Rhys. In this novel it tells the story of Antoinette, Rochester's wife, from living in Jamaica to dwelling in the Attic at Thornfield. It is safe to say that Rochester much preferred England to Jamaica and it made perfect sense that the one he decided to spend the rest of his life with would hail from this place. Jane is in many senses is a human depiction of England, basic and used to hardship. Intelligent and aware of her self worth by possessing a commitment to justice and principles Jane seems to be the perfect choice for Rochester. Antoinette and Jane share many similarities which is significant because they both attract the same man. During Antoinette’s childhood she witnessed her home being burnt down, this expressed the hatred that the emancipated slaves in Spanish Town felt for her and her family. On Jane’s return to Thornfield it is burned to the ground by Antoinette, Jane loses everything and see’s first hand how one person’s hatred for another can destroy everything it it’s path. Jane is an orphan loosing both her parents while she was an infant; Antoinette is also an orphan loosing her father first and her mother more recently. Jane was considered crazy at one period in her life because once when she was locked inside of the red room that her uncle died in she saw “a herald of some coming vision from another world” (JE 16). Antoinette was considered crazy because of her mother’s insanity after her brother was killed, and it was insinuated that her father was crazy but there was no evidence to prove otherwise. Though Jane and Antoinette shared many similarities they shared many differences mainly consisting of environment. Jane was brought up in England and Antoinette in Jamaica. These two places differ dramatically and both of these women are the human forms of each island. Jane cold and unadorned, Antoinette filled with so much life and passion. Rochester was attracted to Jane because she wasn’t typical she was challenging and outspoken, their relationship was built on love. Rochester was attracted to Antoinette’s money and her beauty was quite captivating, their relationship was built on sex. The differences that the women share shape each novel and each character that each interacts with.

Though Jane and Antoinette differ they both have one major similarity in common, they were coveted in one way or another by Rochester. Jane was so bright and cunning she won Rochester’s heart and companionship in the end. Antoinette was given a marriage that didn’t work but at the same time she was a project for Rochester to fix for his own principles. When Rochester changed her name and tried to change her behavior he exhibited certain behaviors of those found in British Imperialists. It is said that “The Wide Sargasso Sea” ties “blackness with freedom” (Olaussen) because through out the novel Antoinette is being exploited and disregarded by Rochester. In “Jane Eyre” Rochester is “still forced to recognize the limits of his masculine world” (Kendrik) but he is not as viciously depicted. By trying to change every woman he came in contact with for his own sake and enjoyment Rochester is an excellent Victorian example of one trying to fulfill the “White Man’s Burden”.