Abstract

Literature and folklore often depict abnormal, sadistic men who develop psychological complexes that ruin their marital relations. The jealous homicidal Shahrayar, the main character in The Arabian Nights, who murders his wives on the eve of their wedding nights, often figures in fairy tales, plays, and stories that explore the war between the sexes. William Shakespeare’s Othello and the folktales of Bluebeard and his bloody chamber are notable examples and they have been a source of anxiety for women because of the murderous spouse. These works emphasise the marginal status of women and their suffering from persecution in patriarchal communities. This research deals with Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, focusing on the figure of the homicidal husband and his difference from his traditional eastern counterpart, Shahrayar. It also sheds light on the experience of the Schehrazade-like protagonist and her role in curing her husband of his traumatic memories.Keywords: Rebecca, Shahrayar, homicidal, femicide, patriarchal, Schehrazade