The author's analysis of women's themes in the novel
The author thinks women to have comparable themes throughout the novel. He focuses on Eugenia's transvestism and sexuality in particular. Despite the fact that this character dresses like a man, she is still a virgin.
Eugenia's journey of self-discovery
Eugenia, despite being born into a pagan family, proceeds to learn Greek and Latina before eventually converting to Christianity and meeting Protus and Jacintus. Eugenia disguises herself as a male while attending church. As a result of this metamorphosis, she begins to cross-dress in order to escape betrayal from her colleagues.
Her motivation becomes more oblique and less explicit. Helenus secretly baptizes her, but her disguise character develops more while serving God. She acts in this manner to attract women who will seduce her. Melantia who she heals while working as an exorcist persists in pleading her love for Eugenia. Philip, Eugenia's father, is forced to come to her trial as this is not allowed. Eugenia proves her femininity while Melantia resurrects from her moral worst. This appeals to her father who becomes a Christian while Melantia is punished. Jacintus and Protus, on the other hand, face death for worshipping false gods.
Details about Eugenia's background and life
Details about Eugenia, her background, and life are explained clearly. Helenus propagates the theme of sorcery while Jacintus and Protus reveal that Eugenia was a faithful Christian convert. Besides, she resists marriage proposals and disguises as a man claiming that the difference in sex does not make one superior to Christ. Similarly, Galatians says that masculinity and femininity are equal in faith. A woman seeking a moral status can also behave like a man. However, some baptismal rites such as transvestism that yield sexual themes may be right or wrong depending on circumstances.
Lastly, virginity is an open and inspirational Christian virtue whose primary aim is to promote the culture of being observant.
