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Prompt 01

Essay task

AP LiteratureAQAIB Language & LiteratureGCSE

In Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier explores themes of identity, power, and self-worth through the unnamed narrator's psychological entrapment by the memory of Rebecca de Winter. Write a well-organized essay arguing how du Maurier intentionally uses the narrator's namelessness as a literary device to illustrate her struggle to form an independent identity while living in Rebecca's shadow. Support your argument with specific evidence from the novel, including characterization, the setting of Manderley, and the narrative voice.

Guiding Questions to Consider

  • What symbolic role does the narrator's lack of a name play throughout the novel?
  • How does Manderley serve as a tangible representation of Rebecca's influence?
  • In what ways does Mrs. Danvers contribute to the narrator's feelings of inadequacy, and what insights does this provide into social and gender power dynamics?
  • By the end of the novel, has the narrator genuinely broken free from Rebecca's impact? Support your viewpoint with textual evidence.

Requirements

  • Minimum of 5 paragraphs (introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion)
  • Include a clear, arguable thesis statement
  • Cite at least three specific passages or scenes from the text
  • Address at least one counterargument

Prompt 02

Essay task

AP LiteratureAQAIB Language & Literature

In Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier delves into the unnamed narrator's struggles with her identity, shaped by her psychological subordination to Rebecca's memory. This dynamic reveals themes of identity, power, and self-worth. Write a well-organized essay arguing how du Maurier depicts the narrator's identity crisis as both a consequence of and a challenge to the stifling social and domestic structures represented by Manderley and the legend of Rebecca. Support your argument with specific examples from the text, and explore how literary devices like gothic atmosphere, unreliable narration, and symbolism enhance your analysis.

Prompt 03

Essay task

AP LiteratureAQAIB Language & Literature

In Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier delves into the unnamed narrator's psychological battle with the haunting legacy of Rebecca de Winter to examine themes of identity, power, and self-worth. Write a well-organized essay arguing how du Maurier shapes the narrator's self-perception as deeply influenced — and ultimately changed — by her connection to a woman she never encounters. In your argument, analyze how literary elements like narrative voice, imagery, and Gothic atmosphere enhance this psychological portrayal.

Guidance for Students

  • Develop a clear, defensible thesis that makes a specific claim regarding the narrator's journey of identity.
  • Use textual evidence from at least three distinct moments in the novel.
  • Reflect on how Manderley itself acts as a symbol in your analysis.
  • Address any counterarguments (e.g., does the narrator truly undergo transformation, or is she simply overshadowed by another dominant force?)
  • Aim for a structured essay of 4–6 paragraphs.

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