Lieutenant Nun is a novel based in 1585. Catalina de Erauso is the main character of the memoir, and she faces a world where there were certain expectations for women, and at the time. Women did not play men's roles like they do today. For example, Catalina enlists to be a soldier shortly after life in a convent. Today, that might be a little out of the ordinary, but not unheard of. What's interesting about Catalina is that she not only participates in masculine activities, but after the convent, she even dresses like a man and takes on the characteristics of a man, including "playing" with women, dressing like a man, and fighting and killing enemies. She is arguably a transvestite.
             Of course the question arises about Catalina de Erauso's role, regarding the fact that she could possible be a soldier in the body of a woman, or a woman playing the role of a soldier. Because Catalina takes on masculine characteristics so well, fights, dresses like a man, and is even perceived by others as a man, it's easy to say that she's a soldier in the body of a woman, but I believe that Catalina is a woman playing the role of a soldier.
             Catalina is a virgin, and of course, has the orient of a woman. She enters the convent when she is four and stays until she is about fifteen when she decides to escape. Catalina was rebellious natured, and I believe that Catalina, as a woman, had the desire to experience what a man in the world would experience, and that is why she chose to escape. For example, the only ecstasy for Catalina in the convent is praying. So why not escape and experience the ecstasies of a man? For example being involved with women, killing, fighting, escaping, and succeeding at ripping people off. Even the thrill of having responsibilities is what Catalina, perhaps wishes to experience.
             When Catalina starts on her journey, often times, she finds herself in thrilling scenarios where she is forced...