In this presentation I'm dealing about The feminist analysis of 'Wide Sargasso Sea' uncovers gender oppression, power imbalances, and the 'Othering' of women. It's relevant in feminist literature for its critique of patriarchal colonial society. Encourage further study of feminist themes in the novel, such as by examining scholarly articles or joining discussions on gender issues in literature.

1. Name :- Riddhi H. Rathod
PAPER No. :- 203
Paper code :- 22408
Paper Name :- The Postcolonial Studies
Topic :- Wide Sargasso Sea with Feminist Approach
Roll No. :- 17
Enrollment No. :- 4069206420220025
SMT. S.B. GARDI
DEPARTMENT OF
ENGLISH

2. Table of contents
01
Introduction Feminist
approach
02
Gender &
Power
03
Female
Character
04
Antoinette
Cosway
05
Madness and
Femininity
Female
Relationships
07
06
The 'Othering'
of Women
08

3. ❏ Introduction:-
● Jean Rhys was born in 1890.
● Jean Rhys was a British novelist who was born
and grew up in the
● Caribbean island.
● She was novelist ,short-story writer and
essayist
● She was writing under the genre of Modernism
and postmodernism.
● She was famous for Good Morning, Midnight
and Wide Sargasso Sea

4. ❏ Wide Sargasso Sea :-
● The novel was published in 1966 with Post-colonial
point of view.
● Wide Sargasso Sea is both response Feminist
prequel to Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre
(1847)
● Antoinette Cosway is Rhys's version of Brone's
devilish "madwoman in the attic"
● Antoinette is caught in a patriarchal society in
which she fully belongs neither to Europe nor to
Jamaica.
● Story explores power of relationships between
men and women.
● The novel explores Caribbean history and
assimilation.
● The setting of novel in Jamaica.

5. ❏ What is Feminist approach?
A feminist approach is like looking at the world through glasses that focus on
making things fair for everyone, no matter if they are a man, a woman, or something
else. It tries to fix the things that are unfair to women and make sure everyone has
the same chances in life. It's about speaking up for equal rights and changing the
rules that have been unfair to women for a long time.

6. Rhys personal experiences that shaped her feminist perspective
01
Rhys faced personal challenges and struggles, including financial difficulties, troubled
relationships, and a sense of displacement as an immigrant in England. These
experiences likely contributed to her feminist perspective. In her writings, she often
explored the hardships faced by women, their lack of agency, and the constraints
imposed by society. Her own struggles may have sensitized her to the feminist issues of
her time, and her works reflect the injustices and challenges women faced in a
patriarchal world.

7. ❏ Themes of Gender & Power :-
1. Patriarchy and Oppression:The novel illustrates how patriarchal systems limit
the agency and freedom of female characters, particularly Antoinette and her mother,
Annette. They are controlled and oppressed by male authority figures.
2. Sexual Exploitation: The male characters, such as Mr. Rochester, exercise power
through sexual exploitation. This mirrors the broader theme of women's vulnerability
in a patriarchal society.
3. Colonialism and Racism: Feminism in 'Wide Sargasso Sea' is intertwined with
post-colonialism. The power dynamics of colonialism intersect with gender,
particularly affecting Creole women of color, like Christophine, who face double
oppression due to both their gender and race.
4. Madness and Identity: The power imbalances contribute to the psychological
distress and instability of female characters, most notably Antoinette. Her struggles
with identity and sanity are consequences of her marginalized position as a woman.

8. Continue...
Feminist analysis of the novel reveals the complex interplay of gender and power, highlighting how
women are disempowered and oppressed in a patriarchal and colonial society. This analysis
emphasizes the importance of examining the intersections of gender, race, and colonialism in
understanding the characters' experiences.

9. ❏ Patriarchy Oppressing Female Characters:
● In 'Wide Sargasso Sea,' female characters like
Antoinette and her mother, Annette, are subjected
to patriarchal oppression.
● They are denied agency and independence. Instead,
they are controlled by male figures, such as Mr.
Mason, Mr. Rochester, and even Christophine.
● These men dictate the women's lives, making
decisions about their marriage, their home, and their
financial matters.
● This control reinforces traditional gender roles,
where women are expected to be submissive and
obedient.

10. ❏ Introduction of Antoinette :-
Antoinette Cosway is the protagonist of 'Wide Sargasso Sea.' She is a
complex character, born into a Creole family in Jamaica during the post-
colonial period. She is of mixed racial heritage, which sets her apart in a
society marked by racial hierarchies.
❏ Discussion of Antoinette's Identity and Struggle :-
Antoinette grapples with her identity and the constraints placed upon her gender.
She is seen as an outsider both within her family and in her marriage to Mr.
Rochester. As a Creole woman, she faces discrimination and is marginalized. Her
struggle is not only against the confines of her gender but also the intersection of
race and class, which exacerbates her vulnerability and isolation. This
intersectionality makes her a compelling character in the novel, reflecting the
broader issues of identity and power within the story.

11. ❏ The 'Othering' of Women :-
In 'Wide Sargasso Sea,' women of color, particularly Christophine, are 'Othered.' They are seen as
different, exotic, and inferior by the white characters due to their racial backgrounds. This 'Othering'
leads to their marginalization and disempowerment. Female characters, including Antoinette and
Annette, are dehumanized and objectified, treated as objects rather than individuals with agency. This
reflects the broader issues of racial and gender discrimination within the novel.

12. ❏ Female Relationships :-
The relationships between female characters are complex. While there are moments of support and
solidarity among female characters like Antoinette and Christophine, there are also instances of
tension and distrust. The colonial and patriarchal society often forces women to internalize societal
expectations, impacting how they interact with and support or undermine each other. These
relationships reflect the broader issues of gender and power dynamics within the novel.

13. ❏ Madness and Femininity :-
'Wide Sargasso Sea,' the portrayal of female characters' mental health, particularly that of Antoinette, is
a central theme:
Antoinette's mental health deteriorates throughout the novel, and her descent into madness is a
response to the oppressive environment and her personal struggles.She grapples with isolation, a
sense of displacement, and a lack of control over her own life.Her mental state is exacerbated by
societal expectations and power imbalances, reflecting the damaging impact of patriarchy and
colonialism on women's mental well-being.
The novel offers a poignant exploration of the psychological distress and instability faced by female
characters, particularly Antoinette, as a consequence of their marginalized position and the constraints
placed on them by society.

14. The feminist analysis of 'Wide Sargasso Sea'
uncovers gender oppression, power imbalances, and
the 'Othering' of women. It's relevant in feminist
literature for its critique of patriarchal colonial
society. Encourage further study of feminist themes
in the novel, such as by examining scholarly articles
or joining discussions on gender issues in literature.
Conclusions:-

15. References:-
Usher, Pat. "Feminist approaches to research." Understanding educational research (1996): 120-142.
Gilchrist, Jennifer. "Women, slavery, and the problem of freedom in Wide Sargasso Sea." Twentieth Century Literature 58.3
(2012): 462-494.
Olaussen, Maria. "Jean Rhys's Construction of Blackness as Escape from White Femininity in" Wide Sargasso Sea"." ARIEL: A
Review of International English Literature 24.2 (1993).
Mardorossian, Carine Melkom. "Double [De] colonization and the Feminist Criticism of" Wide Sargasso Sea"." College
Literature 26.2 (1999): 79-95.