Analysis Of Perpetua's Tale Of Martyrdom For Christianity

Perpetua’s tale of martyrdom for Christianity, while seemingly heroic, is no more than the death of a woman embellished for the sake of Christianity and women’s roles as martyrs in the third century. There is reason to believe that Perpetua’s story was falsified and embellished, most likely by a man, to be used as a tool for Christianity and recruit more women followers and martyrs and have them look up to Perpetua as an example of a noble woman and martyr. There are very few stories in history of women martyrs that have not been changed and embellished for the sake of Christianity, and this text is no different. I will prove that this text was edited at a later date. I will do this by showing there are plot holes from her time in prison, …show more content…
First of all, while the text says she was “...respectably married...” (7), there are never any other mentions of her husband. This seems odd of her behavior, as the Christian faith is devout to family and spouses. Nonetheless, it would have made sense for her to mention her husband at some point, whether it be missing him or in regards to the care of her son. Also, while her father mentions everyone else who loves and will miss her, saying “Have regard for your brothers, look upon your mother and your aunts, look upon your son who will be unable to live after your death...” (12), but never once mentions her husband. This lack of information on her marital life could be the result of their relationship not being up to devout Christian standards. On this note, it seems strange that her father seems to be the only member of her family concerned about her martyrdom and eventual fate. Perpetua says, “”I was in anguish for my father’s plight, for he alone of all my family would not rejoice to see my situation” (12). Seeing how distraught her father is over her decision to become a martyr, it seems odd that no other family member was concerned about her, or at least enough to come visit her in prison. Since the information on Perpetua’s family is so mysterious, it could be logical to conclude that there is something unfaithful or unChristian happening in the family that would make her story and sacrifice noble. Next, it is noticed that her brother Dinocrates is suffering in between states of heaven and hell, prompting the reader to wonder of what faith her deceased brother was. Maybe the child was baptized before he died, which is why he is finally able to be released of his affliction and go on to paradise. If Dinocrates was