Now we are going to  do some work on one of the best-known British writers of the 20th century - Daphne du Maurier - and on one of her best-known novels, Rebecca.

Here are a few activities that will help you understand the novel. Some of them should be done BEFORE  and others are to be done  AFTER reading it. 

BEFORE READING

Go to The Daphne du Maurier's Web Pages and try to locate the following information: 

ACTIVITY ONE: ABOUT THE AUTHOR

1. When and where was Daphne du Maurier born? 

2. How many of her titles were turned into films directed by Hitchcock? Which ones ?

ACTIVITY TWO: ABOUT THE NOVEL

1. Rebecca is a Gothic romance.  When was the Gothic novel born? Which of its characteristics are present in Rebecca ?

2. Manderley is based on a real mansion.What's its name? How is it related to Daphne du Maurier? 

3. The second Mrs. de Winter is not given a name in Daphne du Maurier's novel. Is she assigned a name in the film?

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AFTER  READING

1. What makes Rebecca special?

2. According to Nilanjana S Roy, no-one ever read  and emerged from the book wanting to be her? Who does N. S. Roy refer to? 

3. What is Rebecca's Tale  about?

4.  Can you find any similarities between Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel?

5. Read some of the entries in the Guestbook and write one yourself. You can either answer any of the entries or write a comment on any aspect of the novel or the writer. 

4. Read the critical reviews on Rebecca and write your own. 
 

Now check your answers