DREAMS, MAGIC, OBEAH AND THE FANTASTIC

BY ALASTAIR LEE & TAY XIAOQI

Wide Sargasso Sea

Obeah

A form of religious belief of African origin, practiced in some parts of the West Indies, Jamaica, and nearby tropical America, involving sorcery.

mixture of West African traditional practices and rituals with other beliefs (ie. Christianity) taught to the African slaves by their Western owners

Quite similar to voodoo Practiced widely in Jamaica and in the Caribbean Obeah can be ‘bad’ magic, and also can be ‘good’ magic

The Fantastic

A mode of fiction in which the possible and the impossible are confounded so as to leave the reader (and often the narrator and/or central character) with no consistent explanation for the story's strange events.

Originated from the novel, The Fantastic, by Tzvetan Todorov Readers are left wondering if the occurrence had truly taken

place or not

Magic & Magic Realism

Where magical elements or illogical scenarios appear in an otherwise realistic or even "normal" setting

used widely in relation to literature, art, and film. It is like a highly realistic setting, being invaded by elements

of unrealistic fantasy. [ie. pg 13 - when Antoinette got freaked out in Christophine's room]

Dreams

Normally occurs before and after a huge incident has taken place in the novel.

Total of 3 dreams in WSS – page 10, 34 & 121-123

Dream 1

Page 10 Occurs after Tia’s betrayal Shows Antoinette’s undeveloped sense of self-awareness Use of past tense shows that Antoinette is distanced from her

dream consciousness Vagueness of threat suggests that she does not understand

why she is fearful Shows her bewilderment, perhaps indicating fear of Tia's

rejection

Dream 2

Takes place after Mr. Mason’s visit, while she is living in the convent

occurs in present tense, shows that Antoinette has grown closer to her dream consciousness

Plot and context of dream is clearer, suggests maturity Black man's leering guidance and Antoinette's attempt to keep

her dress unsoiled suggests concern, and thus awareness, of her sexuality.

‘Man’ in the dream could possibly be referring to Rochester, presages Antoinette's troubles after meeting Rochester. [The white dress could be wedding dress.]

Dream 3 - Discussion

Refer to page 121 (line 18) to page 123 (line 21) How does Antoinette feel in the passage? What do you think is the purpose of the dream? How does this dream relate to the novel?

Dream 3 - Answers

Occurs after Antoinette’s attack on Richard Mason Antoinette observes her fiery red dress lying on the floor and ponders what

she should learn from it, "It was beautiful and it reminded me of something I must do. I will remember I thought. I will remember it quite soon now", showing the revelation of her quest, and the dream that would give her the mission.

Shows nostalgia - sees pool at Coulibri Images of "the orchids and the stephanotis and the jasmine" and her doll's

house hearken back to her relatively innocent and safe childhood in the Caribbean

Anguish at corruption of her identity is present--The image of Coco the parrot jumping from a burning Coulibri parallels that of Antoinette jumping from a burning Thornfield

Thus suggests that Antoinette feels anguish at Rochester for subjugating her as her stepfather, another Englishman, subjugated Coco by clipping his wings. Hence, the dream serves to demonstrate the theme of colonialism in the novel.