Gender
Gender is a key theme of this epic, as Robertson often writes about the female body and the female experience. For example, Robertson considers narratives in classical literature such as Virgil, pointing out the "dead-good queens," who "flounce with civic tenderness," and concludes that "I feel my gender is out there, floating wildly in that harbor."
Inspiration
This collection is also concerned with inspiration, which takes many forms. One of Robertson's inspirations in writing this epic is Virgil, who famously wrote the Aeneid. For example, in "How to Judge," Robertson mentions Virgil: "Justice has nothing on them. Virgil, sweetheart, even pretty fops need justice."
Storytelling
In this collection, Robertson is primarily concerned with storytelling. The poems in this collection are intended to be read as one long poem, which is encouraged by Robertson using a number of literary techniques. She draws inspiration from great epics such as Virgil's Aeneid, in order to tell the "female" epic, drawing on physical and emotional femininity.
