... drink, dress and sing, sleep and keep vigil" (Ackerman). In the preface to the rules, the author, fond of symbolism and analogies throughout the text, identifies the two rules as a parallel between a lady and her maidservant. The inner rules, said to be the most important of the rules, are the lady, and the outer rules, are the maidservant. The rules regarding ... between the rules of the body and the rules of the soul play out literally in the anchoress's life, figuratively in her relationship with God, and in the larger social structure of feudalism. The author states, "You should in ...

• Word Count: 1836
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate