Identity and Autonomy of the New Woman in Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to take a closer look on the psyche of the ‘New Woman’ as a novel term that appeared in the twentieth century. A term that describes women who pursue their autonomy and look for their identity as independent individuals in the society. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier is one of those novels that give an example of those particular category of women in the society. Following both the protagonist and antagonist’s lives enables me to study closely the relation between autonomy and identity in a woman’s life. This humble research is just the beginning of answering a bunch of questions that are raised while reading the novel.