Power

The book's primary theme is that of power. This takes different forms, showing the sexual power of Fiammetta; the political power of the Cardinal and the Senator; the healing power of La Draga; and even Bucino's own powers. Nearly every transaction in the story can be read as relating to power: for example, when La Draga and the housemaid steal the ruby, they are stealing money and therefore freedom from Fiammetta and, accordingly, from Bucino. Fiammetta's main power, however, is her sexuality. Throughout the book, we see her use her sexuality to rise in society (the society of the courtesans) twice: in retrospect, when she is sixteen, under the auspices of her mother; and in the present-day, where she and Bucino arrive nearly destitute, except for their jewels, and basically trade sex for possessions as she climbs the social ladder. This is most apparent in the pornographic book...