In Rebecca, the narrator undergoes a change following Maxim’s confession of murder. Some critics argue this change represents her coming of age, whereas others believe this portrays her reliance and dependence on Maxim. Do you believe the narrator’s change is a sign of maturity or of dependence, and why? How does the narrator conform to gender and societal roles, and how does this relate to her changing attitude toward her marriage and Maxim?

Teaching Suggestion: This discussion question does not have a right or wrong answer, as students might have differing interpretations. You might want to encourage students to strengthen their arguments by finding evidence to support their claims. Students can also address connections to the theme of The Narrator’s Journey: Childhood Innocence to the Wisdom of Adulthood.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students might benefit from working in small groups and creating a T-chart with one column that emphasizes the narrator’s maturity and another that illustrates her dependence on Maxim. This might help students generate evidence and will encourage students to learn from one another.