Rebecca Interpretation Workshop

Name:

Date:

Gothic mansion with mysterious atmosphere

📚 Part 1: Description vs Interpretation

Success Criteria: I can distinguish between descriptive and interpretive writing about literary texts.

1. Read these two statements about Rebecca. Which one is descriptive and which is interpretive?

Statement A: "The narrator finds Rebecca's nightgown and becomes upset."

Statement B: "Du Maurier uses Rebecca's lingering presence through her belongings to explore how the past can psychologically dominate the present."

A is descriptive, B is interpretive

A is interpretive, B is descriptive

Both are descriptive

Both are interpretive

2. What makes Statement B more interpretive? Check all that apply:

It mentions the author's technique

It explores deeper meaning

It just retells events

It makes a thematic claim

3. Circle the key words in this quote that could lead to interpretation:

"I could see her wandering through the rooms, touching things, looking at them with her eyes... She would have known how to handle servants, how to deal with them."

✏️ Part 2: Upgrading Your Analysis

Success Criteria: I can transform descriptive statements into interpretive claims using textual evidence.

4. Transform this descriptive sentence into an interpretive claim using the sentence starter:

Descriptive: "Danvers burns down Manderley at the end."

Sentence starter: "Du Maurier uses the destruction of Manderley to suggest that..."

5. Choose ONE quote from Rebecca and write both a descriptive AND interpretive statement about it:

Quote options:

• "I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love."

• "We can never go back again, that much is certain."

• "She knew everyone that mattered. She was so lovely to look at."

Your chosen quote: ________________________________

Descriptive statement:

Interpretive statement:

6. Extension Challenge: Apply a psychological lens to your interpretation. How does this quote contribute to the Gothic atmosphere of psychological horror?