The Emotional Journey in Wide Sargasso Sea

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Recommended: Major themes in Sargasso sea

The novel Wide Sargasso Sea isn't just a prequel to Jane Eyre, but rather a significant re-writing of the classic Victorian aged writings. This time around Antoinette (Bertha) Mason, a young Creole girl living in the British Colony of Jamaica, and Rochester's marriage is no longer a harsh sub-story. It is actually the main plot in which the genders battle over emotional and economical control. Throughout the blend of twisted romance, island mystery, and deceptive magic, the deep rooted love themes appear. The many emotions of desire, lust, trust, and happiness are portrayed, but also hate, fear, and jealousy.
Romantic love, or dreamy love, is continuously portrayed in the novel as the characters bring it into their relationships. They bring their past baggage from previous relationships and their thought on class, race, and gender. In the quote, “All loved by rich and handsome young men. That flawless crystal that, once broken, can never be mended. (I.2.4.2-3)” This shows that as part of her religious education, Antoinette hears a lot of stories about young maidens who choose a life “married” to their God, as opposed to attractive young men. These stories reinforce what she learned from her mother's unhappy marriage to Mr. Mason; romantic love isn't possible, and sexual desire can only corrupt and degrade. A simple statement made in the novel, “I'll trust you if you'll trust me. Is that a bargain? (II.2.26),” makes one feel compelled to repeat here that maybe Rochester isn't such a terrible guy. In an honorable mood, Rochester touches on the one thing that Antoinette and he both need if their marriage is to survive: mutual trust. Of course, the rest of the novel is just a long series of betrayals.
Hate, fear, and jealousy are all...

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...r orgasm. But Rochester here is careful to distinguish between love and sex between his way of “dying” and hers. It seems that his way of dying is sex, but Antoinette's words seem to indicate that she associates dying with happiness. In contrast to the convent, where happiness is associated with chastity, Antoinette is experimenting with happiness as sexual desire. Also in, "I hate [the place] now like I hate you and before I die I will show you how much I hate you. (II.6.6.33)”, it's interesting that Antoinette and Rochester never express their love to each other. Antoinette is more ready to express her love for a place than for a person.
The many emotions of desire, lust, trust, and happiness are portrayed, but also hate, fear, and jealousy. It is a masterpiece of love and betrayal; a world of passion and sensuality; and an unforgettable story of sexual obsession.

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