As the cult of domesticity grew during the nineteenth century, society began to fixate on the appropriate role of women. Jean Rhys examines the contradictions and consequences involved in setting such standards by documenting the decline of Jane Eyre's "madwoman", Antoinette Cosway. Forever a victim of alien ideals, Antoinette struggles to reconcile her exotic and passionate behavior with the pristine reserve prized by the European world. However, although convention discouraged sexuality, Rochester lusts after Caribbean women, further compounding Antoinette's moral confusion. Ultimately, Rochester fears Antoinette's explosive passion and eradicates her by suppressing her exotic heritage. Rhys creates a world of cultural tension in which Antoinette fails to resemble either the quintessential Caribbean or European woman. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The women in Antoinette's life promoted several disparate lifestyles, crippling Antoinette's ability to develop as a woman. Christophine embodies an aspect of the Caribbean woman; single and independent, she believes that dependence on men only brings anguish and danger. Christophine detests the man presumed to be Rochester and advises Antoinette, "Woman must have courage to live in this wicked world" (60). Antoinette matures under Christophine's authority and therefore can never fully accept a docile role as a wife. Antoinette is simultaneously influenced by her mother's sensuality. She is fascinated by Annette's dancing and watches from afar as Mr. Mason "kisses her: a long kiss" (17). Antoinette's almost voyeuristic behavior reveals her innate sensuality, one that Rhys associates with the islands throughout the rest of the book. However, as Caribbean and European cultures collided, so did each culture's respective perception of women. At the convent, Antonietta envies the "detached" and "balanced" de Plana girls (33). While the Caribbean is personified as fiery and capricious, the European world shares the characteristics of the pristine de Planas. Antoinette desperately wants to be like de Planas, and therefore constantly oscillates between European and Caribbean ideals. “When I grow up I want my hair to look like yours,” Antoinette tells Hélène de Plana (32), expounding her need to reflect European standards. Antonietta feels the impulses of the Caribbean woman, but nevertheless strives to become an example of European femininity. Rochester's contradictory actions towards her further complicate her perception of herself as a woman. Antoinette's marriage to Rochester intensifies her internal struggle between independence and obedience. Antoinette first submits to Rochester by simply agreeing to marry him; when Rochester asks Antoinette if her scruples were simply a mistake, she "just nods," revealing Antoinette's position in a tenuous limbo between defiance and acceptance (47). He humbly accepts the European standard and strives to gratify Rochester. However, Rochester taints Antoinette's innocent desires with his own impure desires. Antoinette cannot satisfy Rochester in the traditional European sense, because "he thirsted for her, but this is not love" (55). Thus, sexuality merges with submission, creating an impure fusion of European and Caribbean behaviors. In her efforts to become an accommodating wife, Antoinette loses her chastity, paradoxically isolating her from European standards of domesticity. At the same time, Rochester separates Antoinette from her Caribbean nature. Antoinette complains about the.