The Book of Margery Kempe Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. How does Margery Kempe go about recording her experiences even though she's illiterate?
  2. Why does Kempe feel that a vow of chastity is necessary?
  3. What type of contemplative techniques does Margery Kempe employ? How do they affect her in daily life?
  4. Who are Kempe's companions? Who does she turn to for spiritual guidance?
  5. How does Kempe's role as a wife and mother affect her spirituality, if at all?
  6. Why does Kempe go on pilgrimage?
  7. Why is there scholarly controversy about the production history of The Book of Margery Kempe?
  8. What makes Margery Kempe's work different from the work of other mystics of her time? How is it similar?
  9. What are the origins of the images and symbols Kempe uses in her descriptions of spiritual experiences?
  10. What is Christ's role in Margery Kempe's life?