“I find myself locked in a battle for the possession of my own soul.”
– Daphne du Maurier, (1907–1989)
Having a strong hold over the readers by creating morally ambivalent characters, nuanced incidents, and psychologically thrilling storylines, Daphne du Maurier’s suspenseful novels are a hallmark of the 20th century. Maurier grabs the attention of the readers by introducing aspects of uncanny by writing dialogues like “We are all ghosts of yesterday”, obsessive behavior, and a keen sense of displacement in such a way that she questions life itself and urges the readers to do so as well.
Daphne du Maurier’s Gothic novel Rebecca has been widely appreciated for its intriguing depiction of psychological suffering and moral ambivalence, be it “I find myself locked in a battle for the possession of my own soul” from The Scapegoat or “I have always been an unusual person” from Rebecca. Published in 1938, the novel – to this day – continues to capture the reader’s attention by casting a hypnotic spell upon their sensibilities. Maurier’s expert incorporation of the ‘negative capability’, to externalize the inner turmoil of the characters leaves the reader astounded on several occasions. The story follows the character of ‘New’ Mrs. De Winter, who, after moving to ‘Manderley’ experiences a series of events that force her to question the authenticity of her reality. Maurier’s genius lies in her ability to conceal reality to such an extent that it creates a suspenseful aura of genuine curiosity and yearning within the readers’ minds, thus urging them to find the hidden attributes of the storyline long after its ending.
