Reality

     

During the first section of Wide Sargasso, Antoinette believes that looks don't matter that one should look at what is underneath, but her stepfather (Mr. Mason) believes quite differently.  It’s quite interesting to note this perception to reality.  Is either one more right than the other?  I would argue it depends on what one is looking for as we all see what we want.  Many years ago I had a boot camp instructor tell me something that has always stuck with me; "It doesn't matter what you do or say, as one's perception is one's reality."  Mr. Mason saw that the former slaves were lazy and would not dare revolt, but eventually was proven wrong.  What if he was right, but his wife always argued with him about them plotting?  Would we argue then that she is paranoid?  I would argue yes because up to the night of the former slaves burning down the house there was no evidence (at least the novel doesn't present any strong evidence) of them revolting except the words of Annette.  She perceived what she wanted too.  She happened to be right as she understood the area better than her husband.  That being said, had Mr. Mason actually investigated what Annette was arguing he might have discovered a plot that was threatening his family, but whether or not he would have taken it seriously is another debate entirely.  In fact one could claim there was no plot to destroy the family, as it could have been a spur of the moment event caused by a bunch of drunks.  Another thing I noticed and was discussed in class was all the dresses that she was adorned with, now adding the extreme events in Antoinette's life its almost like the people in her life (mainly the men) were trying to conceal the traumatic events in her life with clothing.  Having her appeal desirable to a future husband by being all "dolled up" but underneath containing far more baggage than most would want to deal with.  As this is shown in Jane Eyre as she is kept in the attic for several years by Mr. Rochester and she is never known by anyone except a few select individuals at Thornfield.  These dresses were there to change her "reality" or at the very least present a reality (however flawed it maybe) to unsuspecting persons.  Example of this would be; if a person met Antoinette briefly and she was dressed beautifully would one think that she contains such baggage?  Probably not, in fact one may think she is a very beautiful, stable, and desirable woman!  Now on closer inspection that same person would more than likely change this thought, but until that happens their reality is to think highly of her.  Why wouldn't they?  Mr. Rochester is proof of my argument that he did think highly of her or at least to marry her, but upon closer inspection realized her flaws and considered her an embarrassment.