While the pages of Rebecca grapple with the eternal clash between good and evil, My Cousin Rachel delves into the intricate essence of these moral forces. Philip Ashley, the narrator, finds himself swaying like a pendulum, caught in a frantic quest to uncover the truth: Is Rachel a sinister murderer, driven by greed and deceit, or merely an unfortunate pawn trapped in a web of fate and faulty judgments?

In a chilling conclusion, Philip resolves the mystery of Rachel’s nature through an act of violence, leaving readers to ponder whether he has unjustly ended the life of an innocent woman, or if he has courageously vanquished a malevolent force. The novel paints a vivid tapestry where the face of evil often remains shrouded in ambiguity, and the moral value of an individual becomes a matter of personal perspective.

Economic Independence and Self-Determination

My Cousin Rachel delves deeply into the impact of financial autonomy on an individual's life. Rachel marries Ambrose with the aim of securing her future, driven by the pursuit of economic stability. This union, however, casts a shadow over Philip's financial future, as he stands to inherit from Ambrose. Yet destiny intervenes when Ambrose passes away before altering his will, thrusting Rachel back into a precarious state.

Philip, captivated by Rachel's charm, yearns to bestow upon her the financial assurance she longs for. However, the stipulations of Ambrose's will deny him access to his riches until he reaches the age of twenty-five. On that pivotal birthday, Philip bequeaths his entire estate to Rachel, with a crucial caveat that should she remarry, the estate shall revert to him. Unbeknownst to Philip, this very act renders him unnecessary to Rachel; marriage to him would mean losing her newfound autonomy.

Philip tenderly offers to share his wealth, yet Rachel can only achieve true financial independence by remaining single. Through the interactions of Philip and Rachel, Daphne du Maurier intricately examines the interplay between self-empowerment and financial freedom. As the story nears its conclusion, a love-stricken young Philip is willing to sacrifice both autonomy and wealth for love, while Rachel, seasoned by her struggles as a vulnerable older woman, refuses to compromise her hard-won independence.