In both Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea, Rochester is portrayed as a selfish man, doing things that would benefit himself emotionally and physically, rather than for the good of the others. During the time period in which Wide Sargasso Sea took place, the concept that wives are nothing without their husbands applies to Antoinette. Rochester knew this, so he had to take charge and be the dominant one, taking control of Antoinette's emotions and actions.
             Rochester did not love Antoinette when he married her. He said, "I had a charming partner – pure, wise, modest: you can fancy I was a happy man. – I went through rich scenes!" (Bronte 437). Rochester is a greedy man who wedded someone just for their money. In their society, people looked down upon Antoinette because of her social status. The snobbish Rochester considers Antoinette as an inferior person, lacking respect for her as a human being, and making her do what he wants. He treats her as if she belongs to him. During Rochester's conversation with Christophine, she said, "You fool the girl. You make her think you can't see the sun for looking at her" (Rhys 153). Rochester fooled Antoinette into loving him. He made her think that he loved her, but instead, he just wanted her for her body. That shows his needs as a man for sexual desires. Rochester continues to play a dominant role after Antoinette finds out his incentives.
             As Antoinette learns of Rochester's ill will towards her, she tries to leave, but Rochester, thinking of Antoinette as his "mad girl," does not let her leave. "Vain, silly creature. Made for loving? Yes, but she'll have no lover, for I don't want her and she'll see no other," (Rhys 165) says Rochester. He considers Antoinette as his toy and possession, doing away with her as he wishes. If he does not want her anymore, he is not going to let others have her either, but instead, store her away as a past memory, waiting to be forgotten. Antoinette is kept "in a ro...