Mrs Danvers' Downfall

Traces Mrs Danvers' obsessive devotion to Rebecca, her campaign against the narrator, and her eventual disappearance after the truth is revealed.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Devoted Servant

The Keeper of the Flame The Loyalty Mrs Danvers had served Rebecca since childhood. She adored her. She saw Rebecca as perfect. The Resentment When the narrator arrived, Mrs Danvers resented her. She saw her as an intruder, a poor substitute for Rebecca. The Campaign She subtly undermined the narrator. She made her feel inadequate. She preserved Rebecca's rooms as a shrine.

The Trap at the Ball

The Revenge The Suggestion Mrs Danvers suggested the narrator wear the costume of Caroline de Winter. She knew it was the same costume Rebecca had worn. The Triumph When the narrator appeared in the dress, Mrs Danvers watched from the west wing, exultant. She had humiliated her rival. The Aftermath She believed she had won. The narrator was crushed. But Mrs Danvers' victory was short-lived.

The Confrontation

The Defiance The Accusation The narrator confronted Mrs Danvers in Rebecca's room. She accused her of setting the trap. Mrs Danvers admitted her hatred. The Temptation Mrs Danvers tried to tempt the narrator to jump from the window. She whispered that Maxim did not love her. The narrator was tempted but saved by the rockets. The Defeat Mrs Danvers' power was broken. The narrator was no longer afraid. She had faced her darkest moment and survived.

The Disappearance

The End The Packing Mrs Danvers packed her belongings and left Manderley. She did not say goodbye. She disappeared through the woods. The Call from Favell She received a call from Favell, who told her about Doctor Baker's revelation. She knew the game was up. The Vanishing She was never seen again. Her devotion to Rebecca had consumed her. She became a ghost herself, lost to the world.

Throughout the narrator's time at Manderley

Night of the ball

Morning after the ball

Evening after the inquest