This work investigates whether the traditional perception of St. Augustine as a rigid, dogmatic figure can be reconciled with the fluid, anti-dogmatic nature of his earliest writings. Catherine Conybeare, a scholar of classical and early Christian literature, utilizes a close reading of Augustine's formative texts to argue that these works function as performances rather than static theological treatises. By examining the dramatic frameworks and interpersonal dialogues within these early compositions, she presents a model of Augustine that prioritizes human interconnectedness and intellectual flexibility over exclusionary dogma.

Scholars and historians recognize this text as a significant contribution to the study of Augustinian literature, particularly for its focus on the performative aspects of his early writing. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for those with a background in classical studies or patristic theology.