Ormond
This novel is a socio-political allegory masquerading as an entry in the Romance genre. Ormond is the title character and antagonist. His plans to seduce Constantia can be extricated from the romance to take on the broader allegorical aspects. Ormond symbolizes nothing less than patriarchal rule.
Constantia
Since Ormond is the antagonist, it seems unlikely the book was written to praise patriarchy. The novel could easily have been titled after its protagonist as she is at least the equal of Ormond in terms of narrative focus. The title is therefore very likely another jab at patriarchal dominance in stripping away Constantia’s equality. Ormond is the seducer of her with plans to exert dominant control. Constantia symbolizes all females who try to assert independence in the face of such comprehensive efforts to subjugate them under masculine control.
Honor
Actually, to define Ormond’s pursuit of Constantia as a seduction is an example of the evolution of language with the decline of tradition. Ormond’s “seduction” of Constantia is actually both physical and psychological rape. Under the strict censorship traditions of the time in which it was written, rape is presented symbolically throughout as the loss of “honor” in which honor also symbolizes the loss of virginity. In turn, pre-marital loss of virginity becomes a symbol of the loss of honor that is reflected in the lowered social status of unmarried women known to no longer be virgins. Ultimately, honor comes to symbolize female worth as an intact virginity was often the only value-based power women possessed.
Female Friendship
Constantia develops a close “friendship” with two women. Both of these relationships are seen by Ormond as threats to his planned seduction of Constantia. One of these relationships is explicitly defined as “intimate” while in the other Constantia’s friend is a cross-dressing warrior. Female friendship is thus, in keeping with the traditions of the time, a symbol for lesbianism. And lesbianism symbolizes the threat of patriarchal inequality becoming obsolete in the eyes of Ormond.
Yellow Fever
The story is set against the backdrop of an epidemic of a devastating contagious disease known as Yellow Fever. Nobody is afforded natural protection against this disease as both the rich and the poor are equally at risk and share an equitable proportion of death and sickness. While many succumb, other people—including Constantia—ultimately become actual beneficiaries of the consequences of the contagion. Yellow Fever becomes a fascinating symbol of democratic equality.
