Memory, History, Guilt—Daphne du Maurier's Writing of the 1950s

Abstract

While she has been the subject of increased critical attention over the past two decades, Daphne du Maurier remains relatively overlooked in scholarship that extends beyond studies of genre or the interwar period. Despite a recent resurgence in interest in her short stories, there hasn't yet been a sustained study of her writing within the 1950s; a period in which, this thesis argues, the influence of her intellectual interests can be traced within her work, as she moved towards less easily classifiable forms of writing. This thesis engages with archival material and relevant theoretical frameworks to contextualize du Maurier's work within the broader cultural and intellectual landscape of the 1950s. It focuses on topics connected with three main themes: history, memory, and guilt—recurrent motifs in du Maurier's narratives that reflect the cultural concerns of the 1950s, a period shaped by post-war trauma. The introduction situates du Maurier as an intellectually engaged writer of the 1950s, outlining key cultural trends of the era. Chapter One explores du Maurier's treatment of history, particularly in her biographical works, examining how the interplay between fact and imagination shapes historical narratives which are peculiar to the period. Chapter Two considers du Maurier's portrayal of kinship, highlighting a departure from traditional family structures—as represented in earlier fictions—and her engagement with alternative social dynamics in post-war Britain. Chapter Three examines themes of collective and personal guilt in du Maurier's narratives, linking her work to broader cultural anxieties surrounding individual responsibility and absolution in the 1950s. Chapter Four analyses du Maurier's representation of bodies, suggesting that she challenges societal norms and perceptions of normality through her exploration of disability, illness, and beauty. This thesis contends that du Maurier's work of the 1950s reflects her engagement with the evolving cultural landscape of her time, addressing prevalent anxieties and themes of the post-war era. It positions her as an author whose literature offers imaginative insight into the manifold anxieties of the mid-twentieth century.