Antoninette is a classic case when considering novels by Jean Rhys, because the author creates female characters that are desperate for reason and justice in a world dominated by money and bigoted men; Antoninette is dragged down psychologically by being exposed to the gender-specific discrimination perpetrated by Caucasian males.

This novel is crafted on the framework of the book Jane Eyre, but for Antoninette life is so much more intense than what happens to Jane Eyre because there is a sense of vague emptiness and of being lost in a fog of confusion without a life for Antoninette. For Jane Eyre, she can battle back against her challenges and at least reach a reasonable definition of herself; but Antoninette finds herself basically ignored. In part three of the story, Antoninette is startled to realize she actually has spirit, she has physical presence, and she reflects on her isolation because Rochester...
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