A mask or a disguise can be an exceptional tool to aid in a persons' escape from reality, in order to become something or someone that they are not. These disguises and costumes can be used by people in present times to manipulate reality, just as they were in the eighteenth century; as demonstrated in the novels The Rover and Fantomina. In each of these novels there are characters that fabricate personas and disguises in order to live lives that they would not otherwise be able to attain. These characters that are trying to become something that they are not are usually women, as is revealed in the examples from The Rover and Fantomina. In The Rover the reader is introduced to the character of Hellena, whom uses disguise to participate in the carnival and speak with men in a manner which she normally would not. The character of Fantomina also employs invented personas to obtain male companionship and attention that she would not generally receive. Although these two women both use disguise to gain what they are interested in, they use the masks in two very different ways. The differences in which they employ their fictional personas are ultimately the deciding factor between success and failure in their endeavors. The costuming also assists to reveal to the reader the thematic significances of love, freedom and power within the two works.
             In the beginning of both works it seems that the characters of Hellena and Fantomina choose to disguise themselves in order to satisfy curiosities that they have; Hellena, with her need to freely experience the world before becoming a nun and Fantomina, whom at first, just wonders what it would be like to attract men as prostitutes do. Each curiosity is harmless at first, but in the case of Fantomina, her actions cause her to become stuck in a web of deceit and lies. As soon as Fantomina meets Beauplaisir the reader is able to determine Fantomina's true desires in life.
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