Abstract
The intertextuality begins from the continuity of characters of a novel, same or different setting to give the effect, a new perspective and angle shown which is relevant to the contemporary time of different culture. The novels of intertextuality are also interesting for testing various standpoints, the evolution of societal norms, and understanding and sensitizing to cultural contexts. One such novel is The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys which is a post-colonial prequel to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Jean Rhys has used the character of Rochester and Bertha and left out Jane. The novel talks about the early life of Bertha whose original name is shown as Antoinette Cosway and how she faces problems of identity, in a patriarchal society. Both novels have employed symbolism subtly for driving home the points and creating heightened effects. Symbols are significant literary devices employed by writers to bring about the various ideas, themes, effect of the setting and the correlation among characters, setting and themes. There are symbols in Jane Eyre and The Wide Sargasso Sea and they have been used effectively with strategic positioning throughout the plot structure. The symbols like ‘Fire’, ‘Dreams’ and the thesis discusses their deep meaning and philosophical connotation with the themes and ideas. The paper endeavours to understand the use of symbolism as a literary device and endeavours to interpret and analyse various symbols, both from colonial and post-colonial perspectives as the same symbols are used differently by both writers.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Literature, Fiction, Symbolism, Post-Colonial, Intertextuality
