In Jeanette Winterson’s novel "The Passion," she not only illustrates the patriarchal framework of society, she also provides a female that transcends this system. This “indefinite” identity of women is something Winterson explores in her novel. The Passion can be seen as a feminist novel through Winterson’s cleverness of gender stereotypes/gender roles, lesbianism, and patriarchal opposition symbolized through the main character Villanelle. Villanelle's identity is an important design towards the feminism portrayed by Winterson throughout the novel. Villanelle is a character who does not conform to gender stereotypes. It seems appropriate that Villanelle is born into a male-free environment which is somewhat counteracted by her webbed feet, a characteristic unique to male Venetians. Possession of a male physical feature is an indication that Villanelle will not conform to female stereotypes. Villanelle also dresses as a boy when working at the casino: “It was part of the game, trying to decide which sex was hidden behind tight breeches and extravagant face-paste” (p.54). In deciding what gender to adopt, it is Villanelle who makes the rules of the “game”, it is a female figure in control. The notion of Villanelle creating her identity, rather than having it imposed upon her, ties in closely with the feminist concept of the female as made rather than born. Any single definition of “woman” becomes impossible and the concepts of a unified “female” or “woman” are arbitrary. Villanelle tends to support this model when she mentions that she can not be defined as a woman since only male Venetians have webbed feet. This dual, or even multiple sexual identity, is something Villanelle demonstrates throughout the text. She is both “garters” and “breeches and boots” at once ;neither is any less real than the other. In Venice such an existence becomes possible, for this is the city where “There are women of e