Rebecca Summary (Critical Survey of Literature for Students)

Manderley is gone. Since the fire had destroyed their home, Mr. and Mrs. de Winter have lived in a
secluded hotel away from England. Occasionally, Mrs. de Winter recalls the circumstances that had
brought Manderley and Maxim de Winter into her life.
A shy, sensitive orphan, Mrs. de Winter had been traveling about the Continent as companion to an
overbearing American social climber, Mrs. Van Hopper. At Monte Carlo, Mrs. Van Hopper forced
herself upon Maxim de Winter, owner of Manderley, one of the most famous estates in England.
Before approaching him, Mrs. Van Hopper informed her companion that Mr. de Winter had been
recovering from the shock of the tragic death of his wife, Rebecca, a few months previously.
During the following days, the young woman and Mr. de Winter become well acquainted; when
Mrs. Van Hopper decides to return to America, Maxim de Winter unexpectedly proposes to her
companion. Already deeply in love with him, the young woman accepts, and they are married
shortly afterward.
After a long honeymoon in Italy and southern France, Mr. and Mrs. de Winter return to Manderley.
Mrs. de Winter is extremely nervous, fearing that she will not fit into the life of a great estate like
Manderley. The entire staff gathers to meet the new mistress. Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, who
had been devoted to her former mistress, immediately begins to show her resentment toward the
new Mrs. de Winter.
Gradually, Mrs. de Winter pieces together the story of Rebecca. She learns that Rebecca had been a
beautiful, vivacious woman and a charming host. As Mrs. de Winter becomes acquainted with the
relatives and friends of her husband, she becomes convinced that they find her lacking in those
qualities that had made Rebecca so attractive and gracious. One day, she goes secretly to the closed
rooms Rebecca had occupied. Everything is as Rebecca had left it before her fatal sail in her boat.
Mrs. Danvers suddenly appears and forces her to view Rebeccas lovely clothes and other personal
possessions.
When the bishops wife suggests that the traditional Manderley dress ball be revived, Mr. de Winter
gives his consent. Mrs. de Winter announces her intention of surprising them all with her costume.
At Mrs. Danverss suggestion, she plans to dress as an ancestor whose portrait hangs in the hall at
Manderley; but as Mrs. de Winter descends the stairs that night, a silence falls over the guests, and
her husband turns angrily away without speaking. Realizing that something is wrong, Mrs. de
Winter returns to her room. Beatrice, Mr. de Winters sister, goes to her immediately and explains
that Rebecca had worn the identical costume to her last fancy dress ball. Again, Mrs. Danvers has
humiliated her new mistress. Although Mrs. de Winter reappears at the ball in a simple dress, her
husband does not speak to her all evening. Her belief that he has never ceased to love Rebecca
becomes firmly established in her mind.
The next day, a steamer runs aground in the bay near Manderley. A diver is sent down to inspect the
damaged steamer and discovers Rebeccas boat and in its cabin the remains of a human body. Mr.
de Winter had previously identified the body of a woman found in the river as that of Rebecca.
Unable to keep silent any longer, Mr. de Winter tells his wife the whole story of Rebecca and her
death. The world had believed their marriage a happy one, but Rebecca was an immoral woman,
incapable of love. To avoid the scandal of a divorce, they make a bargain: Rebecca is to be
outwardly the fitting mistress of Manderley, but she would be allowed to go to London periodically
to visit her dissolute friends. All goes well until she begins to be careless, inviting her friends to
Manderley and receiving them in the boathouse. Then she begins to plague Frank Crawley, the

estate manager of Manderley, and Giles, Mr. de Winters brother-in-law. After Frank and others had
seen Rebeccas cousin, Jack Favell, at the boathouse with her, gossip ensued. One evening, Mr. de
Winter follows her to the boathouse to tell her that their marriage is at an end. Rebecca taunts him;
she suggests how difficult it would be to prove his case against her, and asserts that should she have
a child it would bear his name and inherit Manderley. She assures him with a smile that she would
be the perfect mother as she had been the perfect wife. She is still smiling when he shoots her. Then
he puts her in the boat and sails out on the river. There he opens the seacocks, drills holes with a
pike, and, leaving the boat to sink, rows back in the dinghy.
Mrs. de Winter is horrified, but at the same time, she feels a happiness she had not known before.
Her husband loves her; he had never loved Rebecca. With that discovery, her personality changes.
She assures her husband that she will guard his secret. A coroners inquest is held, for the body in
the boat is that of Rebecca. At the inquest, it is established that a storm could not have sunk the
boat; evidence of a bolted door, the holes, and the open seacocks point to the verdict of suicide,
determined by the coroners jury.
Later that night, after the jurys verdict, a drunk Jack Favell appears at Manderley. Wildly
expressing his love for Rebecca and revealing their intimate life, he tries to blackmail Mr. de Winter
by threatening to prove that de Winter killed his wife. Mr. de Winter calls the magistrate, Colonel
Julyan, to hear his case. Favells theory is that Rebecca had asked her husband to free her so that
she could marry Jack, and that de Winter, infuriated, had killed her.
From Rebeccas engagement book, it is learned that she had visited a Dr. Baker in London on the
last day of her life. Colonel Julyan and Mr. and Mrs. de Winter, with Favell following in his car,
drive to London to see Baker. On checking his records, the doctor finds that he had examined a
Mrs. Danvers on the day in question. They realize that Rebecca had assumed the housekeepers
name. Baker explains that he had diagnosed Rebeccas ailment as cancer in an advanced stage.
Colonel Julyan suggests that the matter be closed since the motive for suicide had been established.
Driving back to Manderley after leaving Colonel Julyan at his sisters home, Mr. de Winter tells his
wife that he believes that Colonel Julyan had guessed the truth. He also realizes that Rebecca had
intimated that she was pregnant because she had been sure that her husband would kill her; her last
evil deed would be to ruin him and Manderley. Mr. de Winter telephones Frank from the inn where
they had stopped for dinner, and the estate manager reports that Mrs. Danvers has disappeared. His
news seems to upset Mr. de Winter. At two oclock in the morning, they approach Manderley. Mrs.
de Winter has been sleeping. Awaking, she thinks by the blaze of light that it is dawn. A moment
later, she realizes that she is looking at Manderley, going up in flames.

Manderley se ha ido. Dado que el fuego haba destruido su casa, el seor y la seora de Winter han vivido
en un hotel apartado lejos de Inglaterra. De vez en cuando, la seora de Winter recuerda las circunstancias
que haban llevado Manderley y Maxim de Winter en su vida.
A, hurfano sensible tmido, seora de Winter haba estado viajando por el continente como compaero a
un escalador social estadounidense prepotente, la seora Van Hopper. En Monte Carlo, la seora Van
Hopper oblig a Maxim de Winter, propietario de Manderley, una de las fincas ms famosas de Inglaterra.
Antes de acercarse a l, la seora Van Hopper inform a su compaero que el Sr. de Winter haba estado
recuperando de la conmocin de la trgica muerte de su esposa, Rebecca, unos meses antes.
Durante los siguientes das, la joven y el Sr. de invierno se convierten en muy familiarizado; cuando la
seora Van Hopper decide regresar a Amrica, Maxim de Winter propone inesperadamente a su
compaero. Ya profundamente enamorada de l, la joven acepta, y se cas poco despus.
Despus de una larga luna de miel en Italia y el sur de Francia, el seor y la seora de Winter volver a
Manderley. Seora de Winter es extremadamente nervioso, temiendo que ella no va a encajar en la vida de
una gran finca como Manderley. Todo el personal se rene para cumplir con el nuevo amante. Mrs.
Danvers, el ama de llaves, que se haba dedicado a su ex amante, inmediatamente comienza a mostrar su
resentimiento hacia la nueva seora de Winter.
Poco a poco, las piezas seora de Winter juntos la historia de Rebecca. Se entera de que Rebecca haba sido
una mujer hermosa, vivaz y un anfitrin encantador. Como la seora de Winter se familiariza con los
familiares y amigos de su marido, ella se convence de que la encuentran carentes de las cualidades que han
hecho Rebecca tan atractivo y lleno de gracia. Un da, ella va en secreto a los cuartos cerrados Rebecca
haba ocupado. Todo es como Rebecca haba dejado antes de su vela fatal en su barco. Mrs. Danvers
aparece de repente y la obliga a ver la ropa encantadora de Rebecca y otras posesiones personales.
Cuando la esposa del obispo sugiere que se revivi el tradicional baile de Manderley, el Sr. de invierno da su
consentimiento. Seora de Winter anuncia su intencin de sorprender a todos con su traje. A sugerencia de
la seora Danvers, ella planea vestirse como un antepasado cuyo retrato cuelga en la sala a Manderley;
pero a medida que desciende la seora de Winter las escaleras de la noche, un silencio cae sobre los
invitados, y su marido se convierte airadamente sin hablar. Al darse cuenta de que algo est mal, seora de
Winter regresa a su habitacin. Beatriz, la hermana del Sr. de Winter, se acerca a ella de inmediato y
explica que Rebecca se haba puesto el traje idntico a su ltimo baile de disfraces. Una vez ms, la seora
Danvers ha humillado a su nueva amante. Aunque la seora de Winter vuelve a aparecer en el baile en un
vestido sencillo, su marido no habla con ella toda la noche. Su creencia de que l nunca ha dejado de amar
Rebecca queda firmemente establecido en su mente.
Al da siguiente, un barco de vapor encalla en la baha cerca de Manderley. Un buzo es enviado a
inspeccionar el barco daado y descubre el barco de Rebecca y en su cabina de los restos de un cuerpo
humano. El Sr. de Winter haba identificado previamente el cuerpo de una mujer que se encuentra en el ro
como el de Rebecca.
Incapaz de guardar silencio por ms tiempo, el Sr. de Winter dice a su esposa toda la historia de Rebecca y
su muerte. El mundo se haba credo su matrimonio feliz, pero Rebecca era una mujer inmoral, incapaz de
amar. Para evitar el escndalo de un divorcio, hacen un trato: Rebecca es estar fuera la amante de ajuste
de Manderley, pero ella les permitira ir a Londres peridicamente a visitar a sus amigos disolutos. Todo va
bien hasta que ella comienza a ser descuidado, invitando a sus amigos a Manderley y recibirlos en la casa
de botes. Luego se comienza a plagar Frank Crawley, el administrador de la finca de Manderley, y Giles,
hermano-en-ley del Sr. de Winter. Despus de Frank y otros haban visto el primo de Rebecca, Jack Favell,
en la casa de botes con ella, el chisme se produjo. Una tarde, el Sr. de invierno la sigue hasta la casa de
botes para decirle que su matrimonio ha terminado. Rebecca se burla de l; ella sugiere lo difcil que sera
para probar su caso en contra de ella, y afirma que en caso de que tener un hijo que llevara su nombre y
heredar Manderley. Ella le asegura con una sonrisa que ella sera la madre perfecta como ella haba sido la

esposa perfecta. Ella sigue sonriendo cuando le dispara. Luego se la pone en el barco y navega en el ro. All
abre las tomas de mar, perfora agujeros con una pica, y, dejando el barco hundirse, filas ms atrs en el
bote.
Seora de Winter se horroriza, pero al mismo tiempo, se siente una felicidad que no haba conocido antes.
Su esposo la ama; l nunca haba amado Rebecca. Con este descubrimiento, su personalidad cambia. Ella
asegura su marido que guardar su secreto. Una investigacin forense se mantiene, por el cuerpo en el
barco es el de Rebecca. En la investigacin, se establece que una tormenta no podra haber hundido el
barco; evidencia de una puerta cerrada, los agujeros, y las tomas de mar abierto apuntar al veredicto de
suicidio, determinado por el jurado del juez de instruccin.
Ms tarde esa noche, despus de que el veredicto del jurado, un borracho Jack Favell aparece en
Manderley. Salvajemente expresar su amor por Rebecca y revelando su vida ntima, trata de chantajear Sr.
de invierno con la amenaza de probar que de Winter mat a su esposa. El Sr. de invierno llama al juez, el
coronel Julyan, para or su caso. La teora de Favell es que Rebecca haba pedido a su marido para liberarla
para que pudiera casarse con Jack, y que de Winter, enfurecido, le haba matado.
Desde agenda de trabajo de Rebecca, se enter de que ella haba visitado a un doctor Baker en Londres en
el ltimo da de su vida. Coronel Julyan y el seor y la seora de Winter, con Favell siguiente en su coche, en
coche a Londres para ver Baker. En el registro de sus registros, el mdico descubre que haba examinado
una seora Danvers en el da en cuestin. Se dan cuenta de que Rebecca haba asumido el nombre de la
ama de llaves. Baker, explica que l haba diagnosticado la dolencia de Rebecca como el cncer en una
etapa avanzada. Coronel Julyan sugiere que el asunto se cerr ya se haba establecido el motivo para el
suicidio.
Conduciendo de vuelta a Manderley despus de dejar el coronel Julyan en casa de su hermana, el Sr. de
Winter dice a su esposa que l cree que el coronel Julyan haba adivinado la verdad. Tambin se da cuenta
de que Rebeca haba dado a entender que estaba embarazada porque ella haba estado seguro de que su
marido la matara; su ltimo acto malo sera para l y Manderley ruina. Telfonos Sr. de Invierno Frank de
la posada donde se haban detenido para la cena, y los informes de administrador de la finca que la seora
Danvers ha desaparecido. Su noticia parece alterar el Sr. de Winter. A las dos en punto de la maana, que
se acercan a Manderley. Seora de Winter ha estado durmiendo. Despertar, piensa por el resplandor de la
luz que es el amanecer. Un momento despus, se da cuenta de que ella est buscando a Manderley,
subiendo en llamas.

Rebecca opens with the narrator describing a dream she has had about a house called Manderley; it
is a house that she has previously lived in but that is now, for some reason, reduced to a shell. We
learn that the narrator is living in exile with her husband, both of them deeply nostalgic for England
and for Manderley, but both relieved to be free of a situation which had brought fear and stress.
We then backtrack to the narrator's first meeting with her husband, Maxim de Winter, whose
ancestral home is Manderley in the English west country. We learn of her whirlwind courtship with
him, whilst working as a ladys companion in Monte Carlo, and of how she returns with him to
Manderley as his second wife. His first wife, Rebecca, she hears, drowned in a sailing accident.
Now "the second Mrs de Winter" (we never learn her first name), the narrator recounts
her difficulties in settling at Manderley. Treated with hostility and disdain by the sinister
housekeeper, Mrs Danvers, she is overcome with shyness and awkwardness as she struggles to fulfil
the domestic and social obligations of an upper-class wife. She also becomes increasingly and
disturbingly haunted by the almost tangible presence of her predecessor, and from conversations
with those who knew Rebecca comes to perceive her as a beautiful, talented, socially-adept
individual who was universally loved and admired. Most of all, she becomes convinced that Maxim
is still deeply in love with Rebecca, and that she herself is of little significance to him.
When a fancy-dress ball is held at Manderley to celebrate the new Mrs de Winters arrival, she is
persuaded by Mrs Danvers (whom she now knows adored Rebecca) to wear a particular outfit.
Unknown to Mrs de Winter, it is identical to an outfit worn by Rebecca at a previous ball, and when
she appears it causes horror and consternation, particularly on the part of Maxim de Winter.
Overcoming her distress, Mrs de Winter manages to change her outfit and struggle through the ball,
but she becomes convinced that she has now alienated her husband for ever.
A day later, however, a diver finds the boat which Rebecca was sailing when she drowned, with a
skeleton in the cabin. Previously, it was believed that she had drowned trying to return to shore, and
a body found in the sea had been identified by Maxim de Winter as that of Rebecca. Following the
boats discovery, Maxim confesses to his wife that he murdered Rebecca and took her to sea in her
boat, which he then sank. He reveals that he hated Rebecca who, although she played the part of a
dutiful wife, was a cruel, promiscuous and evil woman who taunted him on the night he shot her
with the news she was carrying another mans child.
Whilst terrified by the implications of this revelation, Mrs de Winter is deeply relieved to discover
that her husband hated his first wife and actually loves her. The couple pledge to work together to
cover up the truth, and when an inquest into Rebecca's death returns a verdict of suicide, Maxim de
Winter seems to be in the clear. However, Jack Favell, a cousin of Rebeccas with whom she was
having an affair, arrives at Manderley with a note which he claims will prove his relationship with
Rebecca and undermine the evidence given by Mr de Winter at the inquest; he also threatens
blackmail.
Maxim de Winter summons a local magistrate to hear Flavell's account. The magistrate dismisses
Flavell's allegations, pointing out that he has no proof. Flavell attempts to produce evidence, and
calls a local man as a witness, but he is once again unsuccessful. In the course of the ensuing
discussions, which Mrs Danvers is invited to join, it emerges that Rebecca had seen a Doctor Baker
in London shortly before her death, although no-one knows why. It is decided, therefore, that Mr
and Mrs de Winter, the magistrate and Flavell will travel to London to interview the doctor. On
arrival, they make the shocking discovery that Rebecca was, in fact, suffering from cancer at the
time of her murder, and would only have had a few months to live; they also learn that she was
unable to become pregnant.

With this new information to support the verdict of suicide, Mrs de Winter is convinced that they
can now move forward with their lives, but Maxim de Winter maintains a sense of foreboding. A
phone call to Manderley reveals that Mrs Danvers has left the house in a peculiar hurry. The couple
set off home and, as they approach Manderley, see that the sky is tinged red. Ashes carried on the
wind suggest that the house is on fire. We are left with some understanding of what may lie behind
the couples exile abroad.

Character List
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The Narrator
Maxim De Winter's second wife and the narrator of the novel. The narrator works as Mrs. Van
Hopper's paid companion in Monte Carlo until meeting Maxim and agreeing to marry him.
Unsophisticated and timid, the narrator is insecure about her role as the mistress of Manderley and
is overwhelmed by the constant reminder of Rebecca in the estate. As the novel progresses, the
narrator becomes increasingly preoccupied with Rebecca and ultimately concludes that Maxim is
still in love with her. After Maxim confesses the truth to her, the narrator is suddenly free from
Rebecca's shadow and can assume her true role as mistress of the house and Maxim's wife.

Maxim de Winter
The intelligent and cultured owner of Manderley. At first, Maxim is a mystery, seemingly
tormented by the memory of his first wife. He dislikes talking about Rebecca and increasingly
detaches himself from his new wife, leading the narrator to believe that he is still in love with
Rebecca. After Rebecca's boat is found on the bay, Maxim confesses the truth to the narrator: his
marriage to Rebecca was a facade, and he despised her so much that he murdered her in a fit of
rage. In the end, Maxim realized that Rebecca manipulated him into killing her so that she would
not have to die slowly of cancer.

Rebecca de Winter
Maxim's first wife and the beautiful mistress of Manderley. Lauded for her beauty, sophistication,
and elegance, Rebecca seems to be the superior to the narrator in every way. Even Maxim asserts
that all of Manderley's beauty is due to Rebecca's taste and influence. The narrator concludes that
Maxim is still in love with Rebecca and is tormented by her presence in everything at Manderley.
Eventually, it is revealed that Rebecca was an evil woman who committed unspeakable atrocities
under the guise of her grace and beauty.

Mrs. Danvers
Rebecca's maid and the housekeeper of Manderley. Mrs. Danvers accompanied Rebecca to
Manderley after her marriage and continues to run the estate in the same way that she did when
Rebecca was alive. Over the course of the novel, Mrs. Danvers reveals an unhealthy obsession with
Rebecca and a determination to punish the narrator for taking her place. She takes every opportunity
to undermine the narrator and remind her of her inferiority to Rebecca, convincing her to dress as
Caroline De Winter for the costume ball and even urging her to kill herself by jumping out of the
window. Like Jack Favell, Mrs. Danvers suspects that Maxim was involved in Rebecca's death and
ultimately sets Manderley on fire.

Jack Favell
Rebecca's cousin and lover. The narrator first meets Favell at Manderley during Maxim's absence
and is put off by his bold manner and suggestive remarks. After Rebecca's body is discovered,
Favell contends that Maxim murdered her and attempts to prove that they were planning to run

away together. He brings in Ben as a witness, displays a note from Rebecca, and prompts the trip to
London to interview Dr. Baker. After Dr. Baker seems to confirm the coroner's findings, Favell
returns to Manderley and presumably sets the estate on fire with Mrs. Danvers.

Beatrice Lacy
Maxim's sister. Athletic and outspoken, Beatrice initially intimidates the narrator but eventually
becomes more supportive. She gives the narrator a set of beautiful art books as a wedding present,
takes her to visit Maxim's grandmother, and comforts her after the disaster of the costume ball. Her
comment, "You are so very different from Rebecca," is one of the first times that the narrator is
directly compared to Maxim's first wife.

Mrs. Van Hopper

A wealthy and gossipy American woman who hires the narrator as a "companion" for her European
travels. During their time at Monte Carlo, Mrs. Van Hopper introduces herself to Maxim and
inadvertently prompts the friendship between Maxim and the narrator. After hearing about the
narrator's engagement, Mrs. Van Hopper raises the first doubts in her mind with the warning,
"Personally, I think you are making a big mistake--one that you will bitterly regret."

Frank Crawley
The overseer of Manderley. Known for his loyalty and tact, Frank is one of the narrator's sole
friends on the estate and assures her that she is what Maxim needs. However, he is reticent to
discuss Rebecca except to comment on her great beauty, and the narrator concludes that he was just
as much in love with Rebecca as everyone else. Later on, it is revealed that Frank almost quit his
job at Manderley because of Rebecca's constant attempts to seduce him. The narrator suspects that
Frank also knew that Maxim had killed Rebecca.

Ben
A mildly retarded man who lives on the Manderley estate. He witnesses Rebecca having an affair
with Jack Favell, but he denies it when interviewed by Colonel Julyan because he fears that
Rebecca will fulfill her promise to send him to an asylum. Ben is the only character to describe
Rebecca in a negative light from the very beginning of the book.

Colonel Julyan
The local magistrate who investigates Rebecca's death. Colonel Julyan dines with Maxim and the
narrator and is unwilling to accept Jack Favell's accusation that Maxim murdered Rebecca. He
accompanies them to meet with Dr. Baker and ultimately concludes that Rebecca did commit
suicide.

Dr. Baker
A physician in London who had an appointment with Rebecca on the day of her death. Dr. Baker
informs Maxim and Colonel Julyan that Rebecca was infertile and had only a few months left to
live when she died. His testimony supports the coroner's assertion that Rebecca killed herself.

Jasper
One of Maxim's pet cocker spaniels and the narrator's favorite. Jasper leads the narrator to
Rebecca's cottage on the beach.

Frith
The butler at Manderley.

Lady Crowan
A local noblewoman who encourages Maxim and the narrator to revive the famous costume ball at
Manderley.

Clarice
The narrator's personal maid. Clarice is also new to Manderley and is the only member of the staff
who makes the narrator feel comfortable.

Major Giles Lacy

Beatrice's husband and the object of one of Rebecca's many successful seductions.

Gran
Maxim's grandmother. The narrator and Beatrice visit Gran on one occasion, only to have her
become disoriented and ask repeatedly for Rebecca.

James Tabb
The shipbuilder who built and maintained Rebecca's boat. At the inquest, he testifies that the ship
sank because of holes drilled in the bottom.

Robert
The young footman at Manderley. Mrs. Danvers blames Robert for the broken china cupid until the
narrator takes responsibility.

Alice
The housemaid at Manderley. Mrs. Danvers assigns Alice to the narrator, but the narrator is
intimidated by Alice's superior manner and replaces her with Clarice.

Captain Searle
The harbormaster of Kerrith, who informs the narrator that they have found Rebecca's boat at the
bottom of the bay.

Norah
The parlor-maid for Maxim's grandmother.

CHARACTER LIST
The Heroine - The novel's protagonist and narrator; we never learn her given name. A shy, selfconscious young woman from a lower-middle class background, she begins the novel as a paid
companion to Mrs. Van Hopper, a wealthy American woman. In Monte Carlo, she meets and
marries the older, wealthy Maxim de Winter, and becomes "Mrs. De Winter," mistress of
Manderley.
Maxim de Winter - A cultured, intelligent older man, and the owner of Manderley, a prized estate
and mansion on the English coast. When the novel begins, he has recently lost his beautiful,
accomplished wife, Rebecca, in what the world believes was a tragic drowning. In fact, however, he
killed her himself.
Rebecca - In life, Rebecca was the beautiful, much-loved, accomplished wife of Maxim de Winter,
and the mistress of Manderley. Now a ghost, she haunts the mansion, and her presence torments the
heroine after her marriage to Maxim.
Mrs. Danvers - The sinister housekeeper at Manderley. She was fiercely devoted to Rebecca, and
remains devoted to her even after death. She despises the heroine for taking her mistress's place.
Jack Favell - Rebecca's cousin. Lacking integrity and given to alcoholic behavior, he was
Rebecca's lover while she was married to Maxim.
Frank Crawley - Maxim's kind, loyal overseer at Manderley, he befriends the heroine almost
immediately.
Beatrice - Maxim's sister. A friendly, outgoing woman with a passion for horses.
Mrs. Van Hopper - A vulgar, gossipy and wealthy American woman. She employs the heroine as
a companion while she travels from one European resort town to another.
Ben - A harmless man, mildly retarded, who spends much of his time on the beach near
Manderley.
Colonel Julyan - The local magistrate in the region surrounding Manderley
Lady Crowan - A local noblewoman who suggests that Maxim and the heroine revive the tradition
of holding an annual costume ball at Manderley.
Baker - A London doctor who saw Rebecca the day of her death
Frith - The butler at Manderley
Clarice - The heroine's maid
Jasper - One of Maxim's pet spaniels, and the heroine's favorite

Summary
Rebecca's narrative takes the form of a flashback. The heroine, who remains nameless, lives in
Europe with her husband, Maxim de Winter, traveling from hotel to hotel, harboring memories
of a beautiful home called Manderley, which, we learn, has been destroyed by fire. The story
begins with her memories of how she and Maxim first met, in Monte Carlo, years before.
In her flashback, the heroine is working as the young traveling companion to a wealthy
American named Mrs. Van Hopper. In her flashback, Maxim is staying at the same hotel as the
heroine and her employer, and after knowing the heroine for only a few weeks, he proposes
marriage. She accepts, and he marries her and takes her back to his ancestral estate of
Manderley. But a dark cloud hangs over their marriage: Maxim's first wife, Rebecca, drowned
in a cove near Manderley the previous year, and her ghost haunts the newlyweds' home.
Rebecca's devoted housekeeper, the sinister Mrs. Danvers, is still in charge of Manderley, and
she frightens and intimidates her new mistress. Despite the encouragement of the house
overseer, Frank Crawley, and Maxim's sister, Beatrice, the heroine struggles in her new life at
Manderley. She feels that she can never compare favorably to Rebecca, who was beautiful,
talented, and brilliant--or so everyone says--and soon she feels that Maxim is still in love with
his dead wife.
Manderley traditionally hosts a costume ball each year, and it is soon time for the gala to take
place. Swept up in the preparations, the heroine's spirits begin to revive. But the ball ends in
disaster: on Mrs. Danvers's suggestion she wears a costume that, it turns out, is the same dress
that Rebecca wore at the last ball. Upon seeing the heroine, Maxim is horrified, and the heroine
becomes convinced that he will never love her, that he is still devoted to Rebecca. The
following day, Mrs. Danvers almost convinces her to kill herself, and she only breaks away
from the old woman's spell when rockets go off over the cove, signaling that a ship has run
aground. When divers swim near the grounded ship, they find the wreckage of Rebecca's
sailboat, with Rebecca's dead body in the hold. This discovery prompts Maxim to tell the
heroine the truth: Rebecca was a malevolent, wicked woman, who lived a secret life and carried
on multiple affairs, including one with her cousin, Jack Favell. On the night of her death,
Maxim had demanded a divorce, and she had refused, and told him that she was pregnant with
Favell's child. Furious, he seized a gun and shot her, and then sailed out to the harbor in
Rebecca's boat and sank it, with the body stowed safely inside.
This revelation restores the heroine's marriage, and enables her to finally shake off the burden
of Rebecca's ghost. Meanwhile, however, the noose of justice tightens around Maxim: first, it is
found that holes have been drilled in the bottom of Rebecca's boat; luckily the coroner delivers
a report of suicide, rather than murder. But soon Rebecca's cousin Favell, certain that Rebecca
did not kill herself, accuses Maxim of the crime. The local magistrate, Colonel Julyan,
investigates, and finds that on the day of her death, Rebecca went up to London to see a Doctor
Baker. Favell, Maxim, and the heroine accompany Julyan to London; the heroine is certain that
Baker will reveal that Rebecca was pregnant, thus revealing Maxim's vengeful motive for
murder. But instead, it turns out that Rebecca was dying of cancer, and that furthermore she was
infertile; she had lied to Maxim about her pregnancy. Her terminal illness now supplies a
motive for Rebecca's supposed suicide, and Maxim is saved. He and the heroine drive all night
back to Manderley, stopping only once, when Maxim calls home and learns that Mrs. Danvers
has disappeared. As they crest the ridge near the mansion, they look down and find it in flames.