An Postcolonial Analysis of Heroine’s Cultural Identity in Wide Sargasso Sea from Postcolonism

Abstract

Wide Sargasso Sea is the acme of Jean Rhys's works. It not only describes the pain and confusion of Antoinette who is in a dual culture, but also reflects the same fragility and helplessness of the author. In post-colonialism, cultural identity mainly reflects the essential features of the nation in literary and cultural studies. This thesis starts with cultural identity that is often reflected and analyzes the reason why people like Antoinette cannot correctly understand themselves but submit to the colonists.

This thesis is divided into four parts. The first part introduces the definition of post-colonialism and cultural identity. The second part reviews the life of Jean Rhys as well as the theme, plot and main roles of Wide Sargasso Sea. The third part analyzes the reasons for the lack of cultural identity of Antoinette from the four aspects: ethnic conflict, patriarchal system, cultural hegemony and colonial system. The fourth part analyzes the significance of Antoinette's continuous pursuit of cultural identity.

Through the analysis of heroine's cultural identity, the thesis reveals the complaints of Rhys against racial discrimination, patriarchy and the colonial system. In Wide Sargasso Sea, Rhys wants to inspire more marginalized people through Antoinette's story to establish a correct view of cultural identity and accept themselves. Even though the process of quest is very difficult, those marginalized people will eventually find their uniqueness is the power to fight against everything.

Key words: Cultural Identity; Wide Sargasso Sea; Racial Conflict; Postcolonism