Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
BECHS Pre-AP English 1
Summer Reading and Assignments
Teacher: Carrie Clancy, cclancy@episd.org
You will need to get a copy of the novel, Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier.
Complete the following assignments as you read and have them ready to submit on the
first day of school, August 25, 2014. This is mandatory work.
1. Vocabulary
For each word, provide a definition as well as one synonym and one antonym.
Also provide a definition for the synonym and antonym for a total of three
definitions.Keep these separate from the other work, as they will be part of the
vocabulary section of your notebook.
2. Chapter Questions
Answer the questions in complete sentences on separate paper. Use textual
evidence when appropriate. Be sure to indicate the chapter and question number
in your answers.
3. Essay Questions
Answer these questions in short essay format. Answers should be half a page to
one page in length and include specific evidence from the text.
Email Ms. Clancy for any questions throughout your reading!
Ten Elements of Gothic Literature
Gothic fiction originally arose in England in the late 18th and early 19th century. It soon spread
to other parts of the world, especially the United States, where it influenced the writing of such
authors as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe. It falls in the realm of Romantic literature
although it often explores darker and more tragic themes than other Romantic works of the
period. It is distinguished by a number of very specific qualities.
1. Setting
Gothic literature often is set in old, rundown structures, especially castles or great country
manors. The building usually features hidden passages, trap doors, dungeons or secret
rooms, and has suffered a decline from its former greatness.
2. Environment
The environment around the setting reflects a bleak or foreboding atmosphere: dark
forests, imposing mountains, stormy weather or areas far away from civilization.
3. Atmosphere
Gothic literature stresses an atmosphere of mystery, horror and dread. The plot involves
hidden secrets that threaten the protagonist.
4. Protagonists
The protagonists of Gothic literature are isolated or alone. That isolation could be
physical (trapped in a house far from civilization) or emotional (cut off from the people
around her), and may either be self-imposed or a result of circumstances beyond her
control.
5. Emotions
Emotions run high in Gothic literature. Characters are often passionate and strong-willed,
defying others or even their own common sense in pursuit of their goals. Women are
often curious and have a tendency to swoon, while men storm and rage in reflection of
unseen inner torments.
6. Damsels in Distress
The “damsel in distress” motif appears quite often in Gothic literature, with women
threatened by tyrannical men or just the circumstances in which they find themselves.
They often appear frightened and may suffer from some kind of ailment.
7. Foreboding
Ominous implications precede dark events in Gothic literature. Unlucky omens appear,
ancient curses linger in the air, and dark forces beyond the hero’s control thwart his
ambitions.
8. The Supernatural
The supernatural often appears in Gothic literature, particularly ghosts and unexplained
manifestations. In some Gothic novels, these elements ultimately have a rational
explanation, but the implication always suggests something not of this world.
9. Decay
The overall impression of a Gothic world is one of decay: a formerly great family,
community, country or individual who has peaked and now begins a slow process of
decline. This appears both in the landscape (crumbling buildings) and in the characters
themselves.
10. Drama
The events in Gothic literature emphasize high emotion and often reflect a heightened
sense of drama. Examples include murders, kidnappings, people going mad and tragic
illnesses.
Rebecca Vocabulary List
Define each vocabulary word and find one synonym and one antonym, defining
those as well for a total of three definitions.
Chapters 1-3
1. Sepulcher
2. Panacea
3. Antidote
4. Garnered
5. Forthright
6. Camaraderie
7. Despondency
8. Mullioned
9. Staccato
10. Engendered
11. Subterfuge
12. Labyrinth
13. Vanguard
14. Ostentatious
15. Proffered
16. Symmetry
17. Sardonic
18. Premonition
19. Subservient
20. Aquiline
Chapters 4-6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Supremacy
Infinitesimal
Pomposity
Philanthropy
Clamoured
Furtive
7. Degradation
8. Odious
9. Slough
10. Rendezvous
11. Tousled
12. Milieu
Chapters 7-8
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Faux-pas
Entwined
Sentinel
Musty
Effacing
6. Austere
7. Encroaching
8. Interloper
9. Languorous
Chapters 9-10
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Stigma
Heinous
Quietude
Careening
Inveterate
Callous
7. Obtrude
8. Myriad
9. Broadside
10. Ghastly
11. Bezique
12. Tweedy
Chapters 11-12
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Utterance
Harping
Punctillious
Fastidioius
Beacon
6. Fey
7. Foreboding
8. Latent
9. Derogatory
10. Dowager
Chapters 13-14
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rakish
Lintel
Supplication
Divan
5. Smoldering
6. Fancied
7. Interlaced
8. Wafted
Chapters 15-17
1. Rouge
2. Gabled
3. Querulously
4. Bounder
5. Draught
6. Unobtrusively
Chapters 18-20
1. Wringing
2. Austere
3. Aground
4. Mullioned
5. Jib
6. Blaspheme
Chapters 21-23
1. Inquest
2. Scuttled
3. Crypt
Chapters 24-25
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ballast
Discordant
Sluice
Fiver
Chapter 26-27
1.
2.
3.
4.
Clandestine
Wizened
Torrent
Morphia
5. Veracity
6. Bantering
7. Preposterous
Rebecca Chapter Questions
Answer the following questions on separate pieces of notebook paper. Be sure to
include textual evidence when appropriate and to write in complete sentences.
Chapters 1-2
1. How did the narrator know the house to once be? List specific details.
2. What are at least five specific things that the narrator will remember in regards to
the estate?
3. What is the reality of the narrator’s life at this time she is remembering
Manderley?
4. How is Mrs. Van Hopper described? What is her function?
Chapters 3-10
1. Describe Maxim de Winter. What traits have the narrator described? What kind
of man is he?
2. Describe the Manderley that the narrator anticipated. What were her actual first
impressions of the mansion?
3. What was her first impression of Frith? What was her first impression fo Mrs.
Danvers?
4. Think back to the descriptions of the east wing and the west wing. How are the
two similar? How are they different?
5. What is the narrator’s first impression of Beatrice?
6. How is Maxim seen at this point in the story?
7. What does the narrator feel in regards to Happy Valley? To the cove?
Chapters 11-16
1. Why couldn’t Mrs. de Winter get the cottage out of her mind? How does Maxim’s
behavior worry her?
2. In what ways does the Bishop’s wife make Mrs. de Winter feel insecure? What is
the woman’s parting request?
3. Why isn’t Frank able to make Mrs. de Winter feel better? What does she learn
from Frank in regards to Rebecca’s death? How long was it before they found her
body?
4. What is it that Frank says that causes Mrs. de Winter to realize that Rebecca may
not have been all that people thought her to be? What does he say to compliment
Maxim’s new wife?
5. At the end of chapter 11, Rebecca becomes the focus of attention. What effect
does this have on the reader? What effect does it seem to have on Mrs. de
Winter?
6. How does the morning room seem to make Rebecca hover over Mrs. de Winter?
7. Why is Jasper sitting in Mrs. de Winter’s lap significant? What subject is
dominating her thoughts at the end of chapter 12?
8. The name of Rebecca’s boat may be considered an example of foreshadowing. If
it is such, what might one expect to come?
9. What questions arise in Mrs. de Winter’s mind as she thinks about Favell’s visit?
Then, describe Jack Favell. What is his attitude when he speaks about Maxim.
10. What questions are left in both a reader’s and Mrs. de Winter’s mind at the end of
chapter 13.
11. Why is Mrs. Danvers’ description of Rebecca’s and Maxim’s happiness confusion
to the new Mrs. de Winter?
12. What is strange about Maxim’s trip to identify his wife’s body?
13. What conclusions does Mrs. de Winter draw when she thinks about Maxim’s not
wanting her to occupy the west wing or visit the cottage?
14. Describe Mrs. Danvers. Be sure to consider her physical appearance, her dress
and her attitude and actions towards both Rebecca and Mrs. de Winter.
15. At the start of chapter 16, the mood of the story intensifies. How does the author
achieve this? What is the weather like on the day of the ball? What conclusions
can be drawn from this change?
16. How does Frank’s intended kindness to Mrs. de Winter make her feel more
humble?
17. Describe Mrs. de Winter’s daydream at the dinner table? What is Maxim’s
reaction to it? How does this daydream foreshadow the disaster that takes place
at the end of the chapter?
18. How is Mrs. de Winter’s costume the fulfillment of her daydream? How do
Maxim and the others react to the drum roll?
19. For a moment it seems as if the story could end at chapter 16. Then, questions
arise that make this no longer possible. What are these questions? What bits of
the plot must still be finalized?
Chapters 17-21
1. What does Beatrice reveal about Mrs. de Winter’s costume and about Maxim’s
interpretations of her wearing it?
2. Recall the description of Manderley when the rockets are fired. Then recall the
description of the house in the dream Mrs. de Winter has at the beginning of the
novel. How are the two alike?
3. Why does Frank insist that he needs to talk to Mrs. de Winter? Do you wish he
could? Why?
4. What saves Mrs. de Winter from committing suicide?
5. How does Maxim characterize Rebecca? What evidence does Mrs. de Winter
have that this is an accurate picture?
6. How does Mrs. de Winter blame herself for Maxim not telling her earlier?
7. What does Rebecca use to taunt Maxim? What is his unbearable threat? What
one mistake did he make in disposing of the boat and the body? Why did he go
alone to identify the body?
8. What does Colonel Julyan tell Mrs. de Winter about the body found in the boat?
What does she suddenly realize about Frank as a result? Why does Colonel
Julyan talk to long about the “elementary mistake” that took Rebecca’s life?
9. What is Maxim really saying when he tells his wife that everything is going to be
fine?
10. Do you think Maxim wants a companion or someone to make him forget
Rebecca? Explain.
Chapters 22-27
1. Why is Maxim disturbed by the newspaper articles?
2. At what point in the inquest does Mrs. de Winter have to leave?
3. What is the outcome of the inquest? What question raised by Mrs. de Winter
makes us realize that there is more to come?
4. How does Favell reveal himself as a despicable person? What is his real motive
for coming to Manderley? What are the mistakes he makes that cause him to
lose?
5. How does Favell’s witness actually help Maxim’s case? How has Rebecca’s
behavior in the community unwittingly helped it?
6. What does Mrs. de Winter fear about Dr. Baker?
7. What actions of Mrs. de Winter show that there has been a role change for the
couple?
8. What premonition does Mrs. de Winter have as she leaves the house? What does
this foreshadow? What other reaction does she have that might be considered an
omen?
9. What was Rebecca’s last practical joke? What conclusion does Maxim draw from
it?
10. About what does Mrs. de Winter dream during the ride home? Why is that
dream significant?
11. Why do the de Winters know what they see ahead is not the dawn? Who do you
think set fire to Manderley? Why?
Rebecca Essay Questions
Answer the following essay questions in short essay format. Answers should be
half a page to one page in length. Be sure to include evidence from the text to support
all answers.
1. Discuss the role of Manderley in the novel—both the house itself and its ground
and beach. How does setting contribute to the book’s plot? To the book’s tone?
2. Discuss the elements that make Rebecca a work of gothic literature.
3. Analyze the heroine’s marriage to Maxim. How does their relationship develop
during the course of the novel?