Ellen Killian
asked:
Does anyone else have a negative impression of Maxim? I would like to discuss the idea that Maxim is as much of a psychopath as is Rebecca and that we only have his version of events and characters. Rebecca cannot defend herself
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Cari
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Melinda Charles
No. Maxim was definitely not a psychopath. He was almost destroyed by his horrible experience. Rebecca was clearly the sociopath. Maxim was right; 'she wasn't even normal.'
Rebecca goaded Maxim to do what he did, by making up that horrible lie. She wanted to end her life and used Maxim to do it. She died thinking she had won, but it turned out she was wrong!
I think his moody behavior was not motivated by a need to control his new wife, as it was an unsuccessful attempt to run from his demons.
Rebecca goaded Maxim to do what he did, by making up that horrible lie. She wanted to end her life and used Maxim to do it. She died thinking she had won, but it turned out she was wrong!
I think his moody behavior was not motivated by a need to control his new wife, as it was an unsuccessful attempt to run from his demons.
Annika
Maxim married a girl his daughter's age and it was clear why - he wants somebody he can control, who won't ask too many questions. In the end he drags her through hell. I can't help thinking that she would have been better off marrying a hard-working man who might not own an estate, but would have loved her. Maxim is too unapproachable and emotionally disturbed.
Ellen Killian
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Dorothy Bonett
Umm, Ben, Frank, and Mrs. Danvers herself all described the same person Maxim described. It's not only his version.
Lila Wayne
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Charlotte
Yes I agree! While I loved the book Maxim made me very uncomfortable, he was so controlling and pretty much emotionally abusive, I would love to be able to see more of Rebecca's side of the story.
Ramona
Maxim is not a psychopath but he is a murderer. I read an article by somebody who interviewed institutionalized psychopaths. The author disclosed that diagnosed psychopaths did not experience anxiety. I seem to recall reading in the "popular psychology" press about expert speculation that it is this pathological lack of anxiety that comprises what we perceive as psychopathy. Maxim's outspoken alarm at the dining table when he sees an unfamiliar look on the narrator's face as she imagines herself charming her husband in the way she thought Rebecca might reveals, in my opinion, a susceptibility to anxiety. Maxim is an ordinary criminal and the narrator is an accessory after the fact. But, now as well as then, a spouse cannot be made to testify against a spouse so his confession to the narrator is safe. I think the novel is about human perfidy and how widespread and insidious it is.
Karen
Maxim is a weak person. He has no strength to stand up for himself in a marriage he hated, and marries a sweet and simple child who he thinks will give him back that uncomplicated life. He is in a way a product of his class, he just want a life puttering around his estate - just like generations did before him. Rebecca challenges this, and he gives in because he doesn't want to ruin the facade. We get a view of Rebecca through Danvers and Jack, so Maxim does not make her self involved lifestyle up. Rebecca's actions probably do add to the cruelty he shows, he feels she holds the destruction of his life and home in her hands, which is why he can kill without regret.
Penny
I think Maxim was a man of his time who would never expect a woman to be a sexual predator as Rebecca was. (And there are clues in OTHER people's descriptions that suggest Rebecca was hardly the perfect wife.) maxim does expect to be able to guide and chastise women, but that does not make him a psychopath. Given her narcisistic dual nature, I would slap that label on Rebecca more quickly than I would on Maxim. Then again, though, men have behaved for centuries as Rebecca behaved during their marriage--no explanation to the betrayed spouse necessary (referring to the scene at Monte a few days after the marriage, in which Maxim describes how Rebecca stated her intention never to be faithful to him).
Jenna
Yes, Maxim was the worst. He was deliberate in seeking out a mate. Young, naive, agreeable, codependent, tendency to internalize and blame themselves for his own emotional disregulation. He was more of a villain than Mrs. Danvers was, in my opinion. People who are critical of the protagonist by calling her stupid or simple have to remember how people like Maxim operate. In my opinion he was nothing less than a predator.
Andra
Like another commenter answered, I don't know if Maxim is "certifiably" a psychopath, but the fact that his version is the only one we have about his marriage to Rebecca is definitely a red flag. It'd be very interesting to have a movie or show explore the possibility that Rebecca was more of a victim than Maxim was.
Meredith
We're only getting the narrator's perspective and her shyness and social anxiety play a huge part in how she sees her world and the other characters.
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