Wide Sargasso Sea
Written as a prequel to Jane Eyre, Wide Sargasso Sea follows the life of Antoinette Cosway from her tumultuous childhood in Jamaica following British emancipation, to her marriage, and subsequent descent into madness.
Below are some reading passages that we have hand picked to supplement this book. Be sure to read the passage summaries and our suggestions for instructional use.
12th Grade
Short Story
910L
The Yellow Wallpaper
Passage Summary:
“The Yellow Wallpaper” is a groundbreaking short story from 1892 told through journal entries that chronicles a woman’s struggle in dealing with male physicians who will not take her illness seriously.
When and How to Pair: Introduce this short story after students have completed Part 3 of the novel, in order to discuss comparisons on the portrayal and motif of madness within literature. Pair “The Yellow Wallpaper” with Wide Sargasso Sea: Part 3 and ask students to discuss how both texts depict mental illness — what factors drive both women to madness? What point do you feel the authors are making by having two women descend into madness?