Philosophical Reviews: Rebecca

 

If we were inside Plato’s cave, the director would certainly be Mrs. Danvers, who is extremely polite and professional toward the guests. The story she is showing is about Rebecca, the first wife of Maxim de Winter, a wealthy widower. The protagonist is an unnamed young woman; she plays the role of the second wife who feels she will never live up to Rebecca's standards.

The spirit of the deceased woman is everywhere; in every corner of the manor, there is something she once used. The spirit is powerful enough to enter the mind of the young girl, influencing her behavior. If we want to read this novel through a philosophical lens, we must take into consideration how reality is narrated.