Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier Continuation

As I continue to read this book, I notice that the mystery and the questions are revolved around Maxim's ex-wife, Rebecca, who died "accidentally". The protagonist, as Maxim's new wife, feels uncomfortable because she feels that she has to live up to Rebecca who was smart, pretty, and skillful at being a hostess. As the protagonist explores her new life, she learns more about Rebecca through the new people she meets like Frank Crawley, and Ben, who lives in a nearby farm. I also think that the protagonist is overly curious about Rebecca because she goes asking around about Rebecca and what she was like. Other characters, like Crawley, refused to bring up the past: "forget it, Mrs. de Winter, forget it, as he has done, thank heaven, and the rest of us. We none of us want to bring back the past, Maxim least of all."

I think that overall, the protagonist should not have married Maxim in such a rush. She barely knew anything about him but fell in love based on their encounters. Now that she is married and living her new life, she is finding more about his past, his ex-wife, and the discomfort she feels as his new wife. Not only is the servants comparing her to Rebecca, but she, herself is comparing herself to Rebecca. She feels insure knowing that her husband still loves and think about Rebecca. Throughout these chapters, she is worried that their marriage is failing which shows that this marriage is not a good idea and that it might be a mistake.

I think this books is more of a Romance novel than a mystery novel because when the protagonist interact with her husband, Maxim, there is that love atmosphere to it, whether it is jealously, arguments, or even when the couple is out on a date. At this point of the story, I am not completely sure what the mystery is but I know that Rebecca plays a big role in it considering the title is Rebecca and that there is a repetitive mentioning of her. There are many unanswered questions about Rebecca like how exactly did she die.