An interesting metaphor here Peggy with your use of 'castrates' - such a strong word. I'm not familiar with Abelard - is he someone in a myth? Sorry to ask, I'm at my folks in Maine at present using dial-up with Firefox so it's not too harsh but still slower than I'm used to back at home - no time to google...
I wonder if there's a substitute for the word 'but'? Perhaps "Her" or Their? Do tell me more about this theme you have started...
Happy Ho Ho Ho!
~Cleo