Rebecca Society and Class Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

This abruptness showed that I could safely be ignored, and women would give me a brief nod which served as a greeting and a dismissal in one, while men, with large relief, would realise they could sink back into a comfortable chair without offending courtesy. (3.9)

Our narrator is super aware of class divisions. She sees the wealthy, famous people as so different from herself that they couldn't possibly like her or be interested in her. This is why it takes so long for her to realize Maxim is interested in her romantically. (Or is he?)

Quote #5

"By the way, dear […] don't think I mean to be unkind, but you put yourself just a teeny bit forward this afternoon. Your efforts to monopolise the conversation quite embarrassed me, and I'm sure it did him. Men loathe that sort of thing." (3.44)

Mrs. Van Hopper is just mad because Maxim was making fun of her and being nice to Mrs. de Winter. She's just as aware of class differences as her paid companion, and she delights in reinforcing her companion's insecurities.

Quote #6

She stooped to pick them up, and as she handed them to me I saw a little smile of scorn upon her lips, and I guessed at once she considered me ill-bred. (7.35)

Mrs. Danvers does see Mrs. de Winter as ill-bred. Therefore, she's doubly insulted by the idea of her replacing Rebecca, who she considers the epitome of well-bred. After all, Mrs. Danvers herself had a hand in raising Rebecca.