Behind the Symbols of "Wide Sargasso Sea"

In every piece of literary work, there are symbols and motifs that have certain meanings. In order to fully understand a book like "Wide Sargasso Sea," we must first try to understand the symbols in it and how it displays certain aspects of the plot, characters, and conclusion.

Fire is an element of the novel that appears regularly. From the rioting outside of Coulibri, to the candles of Granbois, and finally the to the demise of Antoinette, fire has been a major driving force of Rhys' novel. Fire could represent things in "Wide Sargasso Sea." There is the fire of several passions, which serve as motives for the characters to perform the actions that they did. The destruction of Coulibri and later the madness of Annette later seem to repeat in Antoinette as she sets fire to Thornfield. Rochester himself describes moths flying into candles and burning themselves, which is reminiscent of the burning parrot.  

               Throughout literature, fire is used to describe the death of life and the preservation of it.


The Garden described in the earlier parts of the novel can be related with many things. The garden of Coulibri is described to have become overgrown and out of care, very much like the lives of Annette and her daughter, Antoinette. (An overgrown garden usually has no order, similar to the ramblings or emotions of an "insane" person) The vibrant colors and sights of a garden is also described as overpowering to the mind. We see this occur as Rochester finds no peace with the brightness and fragrance of Jamaica and Antoinette finds desolation in the cold flowerless landscape of England. 

              Gardens tend to stand for innocence and purity, though Rhys portrays them as sinister and tempting to the senses of humanity. 


Birds make a notable impression on the book, most obvious is the parrot falling from the roof of a burning Coulibri. However, if we examine at how birds are domesticated we see a whole new relation between them and the characters. Birds are usually caged and have little freedom under human control. This reflects Antoinette's sheltered married years. Her dependency on Mr. Mason and Rochester is identical to that of a bird to a owner. Also, domesticated birds usually desire to become free, and Antoinette displays some feelings of wanting to escape from the social and skewed view of Jamaica. Finally, the burning parrot's death foreshadows that of Antoinette's.

 Birds have always been revered by humanity. They are usually seen as omens or messengers of deities. 


Forests and trees are a common theme discussed in the book. Antoinette has vivid dreams of visiting foreign and mysterious forests that are cold and lifeless, unlike the tropical forests of Jamaica. When we compare an English forest to a Jamaican forest, we can see the difference. Also, when Rochester and Antoinette are honeymooning at Granbois (Granbois itself is a name meaning "great forest"), Rochester becomes lost in a forest and stumbles onto a ruin. This makes a reference to the ruins of Thornfield after it is burned down.

         Forests have always provided an air of mystery and mysticism throughout human history.


Death has always remained an important literary topic throughout the ages. In "Wide Sargasso Sea," we see death at every corner. Annette's dead horse that was poisoned is mentioned in the first pages, we also have the deaths of Annette, Antoinette, the parrot, and others. While physical death is most dominant in the book, we can also take into account that insanity at the time was viewed as a death of the human mind.

                 Death is commonly viewed as Man's worst enemy. Yet, it is still an unknown entity of life and literature.