Part two, section 1

Wide Sargasso Sea pages 39 - 42: Everything completed ... The soothing calls of women

Synopsis of part two, section 1

Part two of the novel is told by Antoinette's unnamed husband. If we know about Jane Eyre, then we give him a name, Rochester. Jean Rhys does not do this; right through the story he has no name.

In this first section readers are dropped straight into Rochester's impressions of the place where he will spend his honeymoon. This is not Jamaica, but one of the Windward Islands, unnamed but resembling Dominica. In this first person narration, of course, we see this island and its people through his eyes only.

Rochester finds the place sad and alien, however, he seems to be suffering from a combination of culture shock and the after-effects of fever. He is also wondering if he has done the right thing in marrying Antoinette. There are intimations in fragments of an unwritten letter that he has a difficult relationship with his father in England.

Commentary on part two, section 1

Rochester recalls, rather ironically, the words of the Anglican marriage service: ‘For better, for worse, For richer, for poorer…' Liturgy The solemnisation of matrimony:The declarations
The mango tree has large, sweet tasting yellow-green fruit.
Someone of mixed Anglo-European and African descent was described as half-caste.
Massacre is a village north of Roseau on Dominica. The place name is another that hints at a buried history. The massacre the name records concerns the killing of a group of Caribs in 1674 or 5.

More on the Carib massacre: Among them was the illegitimate mixed race son of Sir Thomas Warner, the Governor of St Kitts. His name was ‘Indian' Warner, a reference to the ethnic origin of his mother, a Carib woman. His killer was suspected to be Colonel Philip Warner, his half-brother. ‘Indian' Warner chose to live as a Carib and often acted as an intermediary between them and the English.

Judith Raiskin, in her edition of Wide Sargasso Sea writes that ‘the reference is significant because “Indian Warner” represents in Caribbean history and mythology a position between two cultures, a space of alienation and possibility'. This history, hidden from Rochester, connects to the theme of racial identity that threads the novel as a whole.

The Windward Islands are a group of islands in the Lesser Antilles. They include Dominica, Martinique, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.
The estate mentioned is Granbois, Annette's family estate. Jean Rhys' father bought an estate, Amalia, high up in the mountains of Dominica, like this one. Jean Rhys wrote later that she tried to instil her own love for her birthplace into her description, although she shifted the location of the honeymoon to Dominica.
A lady's riding habit was usually a suit of a dark colour with a skirt made especially for riding side-saddle.
A tricorne hat has a three cornered brim. This was a fashionable style in the eighteenth century and it seems to have been retained in the islands into the 1830s.
Rochester is becoming suspicious that Antoinette may be of mixed race rather than a purely English creole.
Rochester's superior English attitude to the place and its people is encapsulated in his assessment that the patois spoken is degraded. He realises that the language Antoinette and Caroline speak together is not European French. However, his negative description does not recognise that it is the language of the island and as such reflects its history and experience of colonisation. It is significant that Antoinette, as a Creole herself, is able to speak it. The French legacy in Dominique is also shown in the French names given to some of the servants including Amélie and Emile.
The blue cloth is used to make a pad for the top of Emile's head so that heavy loads can be carried. African people carry loads in the same way.
The mention of a cock crowing is a biblical reference which raises the idea of betrayal. It refers to an episode in the New Testament when, before the Crucifixion, Peter, one of the disciples, denied three times that he knew Jesus Christ. Luke 22:60-61
The French phrase bon sirop translates literally as ‘good syrup'. It probably advertises a nice, sweet drink.

Investigating part two, section 1

Make notes on Rochester's attitudes in this section to:
- Antoinette
- The place and its people.
Make a list of words / phrases which suggest the marriage has not started well.

Modern

The minister says to the congregation
First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now.

The minister says to the couple
The vows you are about to take are to be made in the presence of God, who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts;
therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.

The minister says to the bridegroom,
N, will you take N to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

He answers, I will.

The minister says to the bride ,
N, will you take N to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

She answers, I will.

Traditional

Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

And also, speaking unto the persons that shall be married, he shall say,
I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.

Then shall the Curate say unto the Man,
[Name] Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

The Man shall answer, I will.

Then shall the Priest say unto the Woman,
[Name] wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

The Woman shall answer, I will.

English Standard Version
King James Version

¹Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. ²And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. ³Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. ⁴He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. ⁵And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. ⁶So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. ⁷Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. ⁸So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it. ⁹They said to him, Where will you have us prepare it? ¹⁰He said to them, Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters ¹¹and tell the master of the house, The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? ¹²And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there. ¹³And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. ¹⁴And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁷And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves. ¹⁸For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. ¹⁹And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. ²⁰And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. ²¹But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²²For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed! ²³And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. ²⁴A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. ²⁵And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. ²⁶But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. ²⁷For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. ²⁸You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, ²⁹and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, ³⁰that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ³¹Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, ³²but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. ³³Peter said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death. ³⁴Jesus said, I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me. ³⁵And he said to them, When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything? They said, Nothing. ³⁶He said to them, But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. ³⁷For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: And he was numbered with the transgressors. For what is written about me has its fulfillment. ³⁸And they said, Look, Lord, here are two swords. And he said to them, It is enough. ³⁹And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰And when he came to the place, he said to them, Pray that you may not enter into temptation. ⁴¹And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, ⁴²saying, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. ⁴³And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. ⁴⁴And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. ⁴⁵And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, ⁴⁶and he said to them, Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation. ⁴⁷While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, ⁴⁸but Jesus said to him, Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss? ⁴⁹And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? ⁵⁰And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹But Jesus said, No more of this! And he touched his ear and healed him. ⁵²Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? ⁵³When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. ⁵⁴Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. ⁵⁵And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. ⁵⁶Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, This man also was with him. ⁵⁷But he denied it, saying, Woman, I do not know him. ⁵⁸And a little later someone else saw him and said, You also are one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not. ⁵⁹And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean. ⁶⁰But Peter said, Man, I do not know what you are talking about. And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times. ⁶²And he went out and wept bitterly. ⁶³Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. ⁶⁴They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, Prophesy! Who is it that struck you? ⁶⁵And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. ⁶⁶When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, ⁶⁷If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe, ⁶⁸and if I ask you, you will not answer. ⁶⁹But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God. ⁷⁰So they all said, Are you the Son of God, then? And he said to them, You say that I am. ⁷¹Then they said, What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.

¹Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. ²And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. ³Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. ⁴And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. ⁵And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. ⁶And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. ⁷Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. ⁸And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. ⁹And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? ¹⁰And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. ¹¹And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? ¹²And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. ¹³And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. ¹⁴And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. ¹⁵And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: ¹⁶For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. ¹⁷And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: ¹⁸For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. ¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. ²¹But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. ²²And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! ²³And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. ²⁴And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. ²⁵And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. ²⁶But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. ²⁷For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. ²⁸Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. ²⁹And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; ³⁰That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: ³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ³³And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. ³⁴And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. ³⁵And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. ³⁶Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. ³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. ³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. ⁴⁰And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. ⁴¹And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, ⁴²Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. ⁴³And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. ⁴⁴And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. ⁴⁵And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, ⁴⁶And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. ⁴⁷And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. ⁴⁸But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? ⁴⁹When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? ⁵⁰And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. ⁵²Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? ⁵³When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. ⁵⁴Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. ⁵⁵And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. ⁵⁶But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. ⁵⁷And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. ⁵⁸And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. ⁵⁹And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. ⁶⁰And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. ⁶¹And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ⁶²And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. ⁶³And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. ⁶⁴And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? ⁶⁵And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. ⁶⁶And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, ⁶⁷Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: ⁶⁸And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. ⁶⁹Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. ⁷⁰Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. ⁷¹And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

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