Character Sketch – Christophine Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys Christophine was the servant of Annette and the nurse of her daughter Antoinette. She was a wedding present from Alexander Cosway, the first husband of Annette. She practices magic which is called obeah, and also has wide knowledge of the Caribbean black culture. She has had all her three children with different men, but has still remained single. She opened her reason why she didn’t want to get married in a quote: All woman, all colors, nothing but fools. Three children I have
On account of this situation, black women feel themselves more independent and strong. First of all, when the slaves are free and there is no need to work for others anymore, many servants leave their employers and turn their back on them. For example, there is a young black girl named Tia who is the daughter of an attendant and she is Antoinette´s only companion. One day Tia unexpectedly turns against Antoinette. Tia sees the pennies that Christophine has given Antoinette and she bets three pennies that Antoinette cannot turn a somersault under water. Antoinette manages to do the somersault, but comes up choking so Tia takes the pennies anyway. Antoinette calls Tia a cheat and Tia calls Antoinette´s family poor and trashy. When Antoinette turns her back, Tia takes her clothes and disappers, leaving her own dirty dress for Antoinette. Tia´s disloyalty manifests the allure and corrupting power of money
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