Wide Sargasso Sea; "language"

How is the issue of  “language” reflected in "Wide Sargasso Sea"? Is it a block or a border between two groups, or a means of communication between different cultures?

Firstly, it is for sure that language in this novel is not a simple medium to transfer the emotions, desires and opinions as a whole. Rather, it symbolizes the social strata in which the character is; that is we, as readers, understand that this character belongs to this category because he or she speaks in a different dialect whether for worse or for better. For instance, we immediately identify Christophine with her patois dialect as we do the same in the case of Rochester although he is unnamed in the novel.

We see the strong force of language throughout the novel; because it is as if having a mirror function which reflects the effects of language on people through bias, lies and gossips. For instance, let us think of the dialogues between  Antoinette and her husband and Amelia or Christophine. There is not any problem in the communication between the partners; but Rochester remarks his detest for their dialects. He says that “Christophine’s coffee is delicious but her language is horrible; she is a very worthy person no doubt, but I can’t say I like her her language.” In another passage, he directly thinks that he does not trust to these people as Antoinette does. Besides their outlooks, he is under the strong impression of language.

As we regard the label of “mad” which is given to the mother of Antoinette, we come to the same conclusion that “language” is the utmost importance which  may have result in disastrous effects on every single person. Anette is sent away from her daughter Antoinette and is not allowed to see either her neighbours or her family. Christophine says that she may not be mad; but after such a treatment, she gives up struggling and be a “mad” which is a role cut by other people through the language.

We also see  different versions of the “truth” of Antoinette’s family experiences. Later in the story, Daniel writes a letter to Rochester informing him of the “real” aim of the family and his wife. However, when we listen to Antoniette’s version, we see that it sharply contrasts with the previous one. In this point, language does not serve as a facilitative medium; rather, it is presented as a “power” which causes discrepancies and scandals to block the communication between peoples.

In another part, Rochester calls Antoniette as “Bertha”, because he is fond of the name. Antoniette sees it as an effort to “make her into another person”. We clearly know that this can not be materialized in fact. However, remembering the “mad” label cut for her mother Anette, she gradually becomes that mad woman. Therefore, there is the definite effect of the language which is used in a community to “shape” its inhabitants. Language, as we see in the case of Antoinette and her mother throughout the novel, is the most effective way in forming the direction of  peoples' life styles.