Rhys does show Antionettes husband to be quite victimizing. It's as though he has a split identity, sometimes he comes across as he is playing a part, 'it meant nothing...neither did she, the girl i was about to marry...I played the part I was expected to play.' We can see Rhys presents him as a construct, he is simply playing a role, one in which he is required to be a husband and listen to Antionette, even though 'She has nothing to with me at all.' He claims, 'I did not love her...I was thirsty for her.' On the other hand, he also plays the part of a loving husband, for example, 'You are safe...I'd touch her face gently and touch tears.' We can see Rhys presents him as a half hearted English gentleman.
We can see that Rhys is trying to present Antionette's husband as a typical English gentleman. Rhys presents us with a critical version of the sterotype that we already know. He is eduacted, reserved, wealthy, and he hides his feelings, these are all the manorisms of a typically english gentleman. This could also further him into being a victim as he is different from everybody else. However, we also know that this type of perfect person does not exist. Which is what Rhys also shows to us throgh his becahviour. For example, he treats Antionette very much like a child, he is critical of her attitude towards money, 'Which she handed out so carelessly, and the fact that he just wants her to attent to hus feeling of lust, to maintain his sexual passion, there is nothing resembling any closeness between them afterwards. For example, kisses, cuddles, he has no interest in her as an individual, this could be slightly disturbing.
There is a turning point during this seciton of the novel. Antionette's husband reads a letter from Daniel Cosway that enlightens him on Antionette's past. This letter makes Antionette seem slightly crazy. Obviously this is ironic as we know that her mother was crazy, and therefore it's as if she is going to follow in her footsteps. He is told about Antionette's half brother, and it seems that he believes the contents of the letter. Paranoia becomes quite evident as he feel's he is constantly being watched, 'They all knew,' 'I was lost and afraid.' He is unsure about things, which again reinforces the fact that he is a victim.
However, we can also see the way Rhys presents Him as a victimizer as well. For example when he confronts Antionette about Cosway's letter, she tries to explain to him about it, but he is very distant when listening. For example, 'I was not distraught.' He also calls Antionette by the name 'Bertha,' which we know is extremely patronizing towards her, and Antionette does not like this.
Overall, Rhys presents Antionette's husband to be both a victim, mainly due to the fact that he is an English gentleman, he is different to the people he is currently around all the time, he is not understanding of the culture they sustain, and he is ignorant towards their beliefs and feelings. Also the fact that he was rushed into the marriage when he was ill, and therefore knew little about his bride and what he was letting himself in for. On the other hand Rhys also presents him as a victimizer in the way that he is extremely controlling over Antionette. He treats her as if she cant look after herself, and he wants to segregate her from the people she is closest too. It is my opinion that being a victim is what drives Antionette's husband into being a victimizer. Without the hostility of his surroundings, and his lack of understanding, i believe he would not have become a victimizer.
