In the text, “Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys, the author develops the idea of subverted gender roles through the female characters in his writing. Antoinette and her family, who are Martinique people, live an isolated life without a male presence in their house – except for Antoinette’s younger brother, Pierre, who unfortunately dies due to a house fire. The death of Mr. Cosway, Antoinette’s father, left the family in a situation of financial instability, further inducing feelings of helplessness within them. Therefore, the lack of a male presence has allowed the traditional gender roles to be subverted and reserved throughout text as we see within the female characters.

The text indicates that Annette, Antoinette’s mother, experiences feelings of depression due to the misfortunes facing her family such as Pierre’s sickness, their financial ruins, and the lack of slaves that performed all of the laborious work around the house. This has greatly affected the relationship between Antoinette and her mother; leaving her to feel useless since Annette always pushes her away every times she approaches her. This is interesting to notice, because, especially during their time, it was traditional for the adult female in the house to take care of the children and house. However, she fails to do since all she does is stay within doors contemplating her life in misery. Antoinette even says, “All evening my mother didn’t speak to me or look at me and I thought she is ashamed of me” (15). As a result, Christophine, the family’s loyal slave, has been that motherly figure for Antoinette since Annette is incapable of that. Antoinette reveals of Christophine that “When evening came she sang to me if she was in the mood” (11). Therefore, this illustrates the reversal of roles as Christophine seems to be the head of house due to her aid around the house.

The subverted gender roles depicted throughout the text demonstrate how the female characters in the text have either risen or fallen from the lack of a male presence in the house. Also it provides insight into Christophine decision to stay with family even when slaves have been already freed. It reveals her compassion towards the family, especially Antoinette, who really looks up to her, since she possibly realized that without her that family would fall into intense ruins. Ultimately, her character substitutes that lack of male presence in the house due to her help and especially tough character that instills fear within some; allowing her to have authority within the house just as a man traditionally would.  

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