Good and evil
Many people write about the dilemma between good and evil, like Genesis, for instance. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, goodness is about fostering life, and evil is about ending life, through murder or betrayal or something. That theme is certainly present, not only in the title, but also in the plot, because the story hinges on Jim William's murder of his young lover, Danny, either in self-defense or not. The dilemma is unsure, but in the end, he dies suggestively of natural causes, as if fate itself were judge.
Gender and power
This novel challenges gender stereotypes by suggesting in Lady Chablis that someone who is honest about their experience of self and gender might be more powerful than if they hid behind a veil of masculinity. Instead of appealing to Savannah, Georgia's opinions, Lady Chablis takes the role of a scandalous Hermes/Isis-type person who can help people know what's really going on in town. She is perhaps the most powerful person in the plot, with the exception of Jim Williams who trades his power in a moment of passion for the life of Danny, which he takes.
Darkness and mystique
The Southern aspect of the town feels quaint and traditional to the Southern folks who live there, but to the rest of the world, the novel will feel dark and Gothic, with a dark tone. The mystery abounds even before the murder takes place, but especially afterward, the tone is mysterious and suggestive, allowing the reader to use their imagination. The plot frequently moves forward at night, so that the characters are out and about during the midnight hour. The inclusion of witchcraft in the plot makes the book even more dynamic.
