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  • Trauma and Tears in The Book of Margery Kempe by Rachel Scoggins book cover
  • Trauma and Tears in The Book of Margery Kempe by Rachel Scoggins book cover
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Trauma and Tears in The Book of Margery Kempe

by Rachel Scoggins

Reading Margery Kempe through trauma and embodied spirituality

$128.23 USD
$128.23 USD $128.23 USD

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Reading Margery Kempe through trauma and embodied spirituality

Rachel Scoggins applies trauma theory to Margery Kempe’s autobiography, examining how bodily experience and female sexuality shape its account of religious devotion. The study argues that spirituality and sensuality coexist in Kempe’s relationship with God, and that her writing gives form to claims of bodily autonomy and religious expression. It also considers how she asserts agency within male-dominated religious settings. This approach reframes Kempe’s spiritual life through the perspective of a secular woman, connecting medieval femininity with questions of voice, embodiment, and everyday religious practice.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers studying Margery Kempe, medieval literature, or women’s writing.
  • Those interested in trauma theory and literary approaches to spirituality and embodiment.
  • Students and scholars exploring gender and agency in medieval religious contexts.

Themes

Trauma and autobiographyMedieval femininitySpirituality and sensualityBodily autonomy and agencyWomen in religious spaces

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Employing the use of trauma theory, Rachel Scoggins uncovers a unique perspective to medieval femininity and spirituality present within the autobiography of Margery Kempe.

Scoggins argues that Kempe's work illustrates a situation where spirituality and sexuality co-exist in her devotion to God. In her autobiography, Kempe frames her religious journey through images of the body and female sexuality with the aim to take agency of both her own bodily autonomy and her religious expression. Eventually, Kempe reclaims her voice and control by leaning into the intersection of spirituality and sensuality and embracing female agency as she navigates male-dominated religious spaces. Trauma and Tears in The Book of Margery Kempe presents Kempe not as a hysterical or hypocritical figure, but a woman with an interesting and important view of everyday spiritual engagement through the eyes of a secular woman.

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Customer reviews

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Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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