Vocabulary in Rebecca

A high point of land that juts out into the sea or over a lower area; here used to describe the elevated, dramatic landscape surrounding Manderley.

Moving or shaped in a smooth, wave-like rising and falling motion; used to describe the rolling grounds and landscape of the estate.

Large flowering shrubs with thick, dark leaves and clusters of blooms; in the novel they grow wild and oppressively dense on the Manderley grounds, symbolising Rebecca's lingering presence.

Excessively eager to serve or please someone, in a way that feels servile and insincere; used to describe the fawning manner of certain characters toward those of higher status.

Lacking confidence in oneself and therefore hesitant or shy in manner; used repeatedly to characterise the narrator's timid, self-doubting personality.

Abrupt and unfriendly in speech or manner, without bothering to be polite; used to describe Maxim de Winter's curt way of speaking to the narrator early on.

Offering nothing interesting or stimulating; dull and empty-headed; used to characterise the shallow social world Mrs. Van Hopper inhabits.

Behaving in an overly flattering way toward someone powerful or wealthy in order to gain favour; describes the social climbing behaviour around wealthy guests in Monte Carlo.

Not willing to speak openly about one's thoughts or feelings; reserved and uncommunicative; used to describe Maxim's guarded silence about his past and about Rebecca.

Habitually saying very little; a person of few words; used to describe the closed, uncommunicative quality of certain characters, especially servants at Manderley.

Having the gloomy, dark, and silent quality associated with a tomb or burial vault; used to describe the oppressive, death-haunted atmosphere of rooms at Manderley.

An official legal inquiry, typically held before a jury, to establish the cause of a sudden or suspicious death; the formal investigation into how Rebecca died.

To suggest something unpleasant or accusatory in an indirect, sly way rather than stating it openly; used when characters hint at Maxim's guilt without saying so directly.

Having or showing a wish to do evil or cause harm to others; used to describe Mrs. Danvers's hostility toward the narrator and her devotion to Rebecca's memory.

Assuming power or authority without justification; domineering and arrogant in manner; used to describe the commanding, intimidating presence of Mrs. Danvers.

The act of demanding money or favours from someone by threatening to reveal damaging information about them; Favell's attempt to extort Maxim using knowledge of Rebecca's death.

A public official whose duty is to investigate deaths that are sudden, violent, or of uncertain cause, often by holding an inquest; the official who oversees the inquiry into Rebecca's death.

A formal written or spoken statement given under oath, used as evidence in a legal proceeding; refers to the sworn testimony given during the inquest.

A type of cancer that originates in the cells lining organs or tissues; the medical term used by Dr. Baker to describe the terminal illness Rebecca had been diagnosed with.

To officially clear someone of blame or a criminal charge; used in the context of the investigation's findings that relieve Maxim of legal suspicion.

A large, destructive, and uncontrollable fire; used to describe the catastrophic blaze that destroys Manderley at the novel's climax.