Christina Of Markyate Character Analysis

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If a woman becomes the patriarch of her family, how does she respond when attempts to exercise control over her daughter fails? Christina of Markyate’s mother, Beatrix, faces this challenge as she seeks to dominate every aspect of her life. This includes forcing Christina to marry Burthred, to find any man who is successful in taking her virginity, or physically assaulting her to prove a point, that she is in control. The strength of Christina’s will refuse to be broken, which further ignites Beatrix’s rage causing her to make sadistic choices in order to push her to a breaking point. The punishments Christina faces at the hands of her mother, throughout her story, are both physically and emotionally taxing. Within Of S. Theodora, a Virgin, Who is Also Called Christina translated by C.H. …show more content…
Christina of Markyate experiences denial of autonomy throughout her life specifically by her mother, Beatrix. She does not …show more content…
Theodora, a Virgin, Who is Also Called Christina, the saint experiences many hardships at the hands of her cruel mother. She faces three objectifications: denial of autonomy, ownership, and denial of subjectivity. By assuming the patriarchal role in Christina’s life, Beatrix tries her best to restrict Christina’s freedom through owning all aspects of her life and not caring about her emotional or physical state. The only refuge Christina has, is found within her faith that one day, she will be free of her mother’s torture. Beatrix tries her hardest to break her daughter but fails. This may be indicative that Beatrix is incapable of living up to the patriarchal role even though she behaves in similar ways that are characteristic of men. The fact that Christina survives the abuse may be proof

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