Territories of the psyche : the fiction of Jean Rhys

Jean Rhys is widely credited for exposing issues of gender, nationality, race, and class in technically sophisticated, arresting narratives. Her lifelong exploration of the dynamics of the human psyche has, however, gone unrecognized. This examination places Rhys's fiction for the first time within the context of theories that reflect the interrelated perspectives of modern psychoanalysis. In clarifying accounts of many approaches that are new to literary scholars, as well as those that display the rich legacy of Freudian thought, Simpson shows that the paradigms of psychoanalysis illuminate the interpretation of Rhys's art. With insightful references to the short stories and close readings of her five novels, this study testifies to a remarkable achievement as Rhys recorded, with unflinching candor, the powerful drama of emotional life. Jean Rhys Is Widely Credited For Exposing Issues Of Gender, Nationality, Race, And Class In Her Narratives. Her Lifelong Exploration Of The Dynamics Of The Human Psyche Has, However, Gone Unrecognized. This Examination Places Rhys's Fiction For The First Time Within The Context Of Theories That Reflect The Interrelated Perspectives Of Modern Psychoanalysis. In Clarifying Accounts Of Many Approaches That Are New To Literary Scholars, As Well As Those That Display The Rich Legacy Of Freudian Thought, Anne B. Simpson Shows That The Paradigms Of Psychoanalysis Illuminate The Interpretation Of Rhys's Art. With References To Her Short Stories And Close Readings Of Her Five Novels, This Study Testifies To Rhys's Achievement Of Recording The Powerful Drama Of Emotional Life.--jacket. Introductory: Jean Rhys And The Landscape Of Emotion -- Voyage In The Dark: Propitiating The Avengers -- After Leaving Mr. Mackenzie: The Search For Maternal Presence -- Quartet: A Constellation Of Desires -- Good Morning, Midnight: A Story Of Soul Murder -- Wide Sargasso Sea: The Transforming Vision. Anne B. Simpson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [143]-162) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introductory: Jean Rhys and the Landscape of Emotion....Pages 1-20 Voyage in the Dark: Propitiating the Avengers....Pages 21-40 After Leaving Mr. Mackenzie: The Search for Maternal Presence....Pages 41-64 Quartet: A Constellation of Desires....Pages 65-86 Good Morning, Midnight: A Story of Soul Murder....Pages 87-109 Wide Sargasso Sea: The Transforming Vision....Pages 111-137 Epilogue....Pages 139-142 Back Matter....Pages 143-168