Jennifer Barry

Jennifer Barry, an expert in late ancient Christianity and author, dives deep into the intersection of gender and violence in early Christian texts. She reveals how male authors utilized portrayals of female suffering to cement ideals of piety and power. The conversation touches on the troubling role of hagiography, dream theory, and how narratives of violence shape our understanding of gender today. Barry also shares practical strategies for engaging with these texts ethically, insisting on their relevance in contemporary discussions of gender and power.

Jennifer Barry, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Mary Washington and expert on early Christianity, dives into her book on gender violence in late antiquity. She discusses how early Christian texts normalize gender-based violence and the ideologies behind them. Barry examines the role of male fantasies in shaping narratives of female suffering and how figures like Augustine and Athanasius manipulated these portrayals for theological aims. She also advocates for incorporating gender and violence into scholarship to challenge ongoing patterns of harm.