Christina Of St. Theodora Analysis

Christina of Markyate Of St. Theodora, translated by C. H. Talbolt, tells the story of a young lady saint whose passion and devotion to God is tested by the perseverance of her mother. Throughout her story, Christina faces the feministic culture that the people of the town devote themselves to. With continuous indications of women’s powerless emotions under man’s instruction, the appearance of feminism is brought to light in the entirety of her story.
During the 1160’s, it was not surprising for women’s faith and morals to be tested by “God’s will”. Under the strict guidelines provided by her mother, Beatrix, Christina is raised, “with God’s permission but at the instigation of the devil” (144). For example, being a virgin in the 1160’s was valued in women. As Beatrix continuously attempts to break her daughters will, by enforcing shameful sufferings upon her, it is clear that Beatrix is used as the vehicle to test Christina’s morals because it is God’s will for her to marry. Against her mother’s circumstances, Christina does not want to be a wife. During this time, the church is becoming normalized and the potential for French to run the church threatens the current Saxon beliefs in the church. With this event weighing heavily on Beatrix, her want for Christina to marry well will also reflect positively on her family. As all of these happenings unfold, it is clear that
Theodora, it can be understood by the reader that in many ways, women of this time were constantly tested by the man’s power. For instance, when Beatrix test Christina’s morals for her passion of her faith, it is seen to be because of “God’s will” and the instigation of the devil. Both of these male figures were powerful over Beatrix. With reference to the yonic and phallic symbol through the lock and key, the author is shedding light on its importance and how feminism can be depicted through its