Here's a breakdown of arguments for both sides:
Arguments for "Win":
* She gains control of Manderley: While the house is haunted by the memory of Rebecca, the narrator ultimately remains in Manderley. She becomes its mistress, a position she initially craved.
* She breaks free from Maxim's past: By the end, she gains a sense of emotional independence from Maxim and his trauma, a development suggested by her strong reaction to his confession about Rebecca's death.
* She finds personal growth: She faces and overcomes insecurities, learns to be assertive, and develops a stronger sense of self.
* Maxim's love becomes hers: Maxim, deeply affected by his guilt and Rebecca's shadow, finally opens up to his new wife. His love, previously a source of tension, becomes hers exclusively.
* She chooses her own path: The ending suggests she's ready to leave Manderley and start a new life, a decision hinting at a willingness to move forward independently.
Arguments for "Not Win":
* Manderley remains a prison: The house is forever associated with Rebecca, and the narrator remains burdened by her memory. The ending doesn't offer a clear resolution to the shadow of the past.
* Maxim's trauma remains: While he shares his secret, Maxim's guilt and vulnerability likely linger, leaving a degree of uncertainty in their relationship.
* The narrator remains a prisoner: Despite her newfound independence, the narrator never truly escapes the influence of Rebecca. She's left to grapple with the memory and the societal expectations that defined her predecessor.
* The ending is ambiguous: The final image of Manderley burning leaves room for various interpretations, including the idea that the narrator's escape is a form of self-destruction or an inability to escape the past.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, whether the narrator "wins" is subjective. The novel presents a complex portrait of a woman struggling with her identity, navigating a marriage clouded by the past, and facing the power of societal expectations. There's no clear-cut victory, but rather a nuanced ending that allows readers to draw their own conclusions about the narrator's fate.