Student Question
In Rebecca, did Mrs. Danvers know about Rebecca's relationship with Jack?
Quick answer:
In "Rebecca," Mrs. Danvers' awareness of Rebecca's relationship with Jack Favell is ambiguous. While her intense loyalty to Rebecca suggests she might have known, there is no definitive evidence in the text confirming her knowledge. Mrs. Danvers' cryptic remarks imply Rebecca had many suitors, but she also downplays any association with Jack. Thus, the extent of Mrs. Danvers' knowledge about Rebecca's affairs remains unclear.
While there are hints and suggestions in the text that Mrs. Danvers may have known about Rebecca's relationship with Jack Favell, there is no concrete evidence to confirm or contradict this. Indeed, Mrs. Danvers had an intense loyalty and admiration for Rebecca. Yet, there is no indication that she was privy to all of Rebecca's secrets. The true nature of Mrs. Danvers' knowledge and involvement in Rebecca's affairs remains a mystery to the reader.
There is a moment in Chapter 7 where Mrs. Danvers hints at the possibility of Rebecca having had other affairs outside of her marriage with Maxim de Winter. When the new Mrs. de Winter asks Mrs. Danvers about Rebecca's life before her marriage, Mrs. Danvers responds with a cryptic and suggestive statement.
Before her marriage, I suppose you mean? Oh yes, she had plenty of beaux then. She was very beautiful, you know, and very...
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gay. She was always laughing and singing.
This statement does not directly mention Jack, but it does suggest that Rebecca had many suitors before her marriage, which could include Favell. However, this is only speculation and not a definitive confirmation of Mrs. Danvers' knowledge about Rebecca's relationship with Jack.
You should also look at Chapter 19 when Mrs. Danvers tells the new Mrs. de Winter that Rebecca was a "wonderful woman" who would never have had anything to do with a "common fellow" like Jack.
She was a wonderful woman, Mrs. de Winter. So lovely, and so accomplished. You know, she could ride and sail, and play the piano, and paint. And such a voice! And she had such beautiful clothes. She would never have had anything to do with a common fellow like that, I'm sure.
You might interpret this remark in one of two ways though. On one hand, Mrs. Danvers could genuinely believe that Rebecca would not have associated with someone like Jack and therefore may not have known about their relationship. On the other hand, she could be purposely downplaying Rebecca's involvement with Jack to protect Rebecca's reputation.