Hampstead, London, is significant to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca because it contributes to the novel's exploration of anxiety and uncertainty. Although Hampstead is only briefly mentioned, it appears during an important journey that Maxim and Colonel Julyan take to learn more about Rebecca's death. In Chapter 26, the characters travel through London and past Hampstead on their way to Barnet, where they hope to speak with Dr. Baker. On page 406, the narrator describes the journey, stating, "The drive through London seemed endless, and by the time we had drawn clear again and were out beyond Hampstead there was a sound in my head like the beating of a drum, and my eyes were burning." (du Maurier 406). This description reveals how exhausted and overwhelmed the narrator feels as they approach a meeting that could determine Maxim's future. The journey becomes increasingly stressful as the characters struggle with the uncertainty surrounding what Dr. Baker might reveal. Although Hampstead is a real neighborhood in North London, the narrator does not focus on its appearance or surroundings. Instead, the narrator describes the physical discomfort and emotional exhaustion. This connects to the novel's larger themes of secrecy because the narrator is worried about what the investigation might uncover and how it could affect her marriage. Hampstead also marks a point in their journey away from Manderley, where much of the novel's mystery has taken place. Mapping Hampstead on COVE shows how even a brief mention of a location can contribute to the novel's atmosphere. While Hampstead is not the characters' final destination, its mention helps establish movement through London toward a meeting that reveals important information about Rebecca's past.
Bibliography:
du Maurier, Daphne. Rebecca. 1938.
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