Pearl and Contemplative Writing
(2003)- Abstract
- This dissertation places Pearl in the context of works by the English fourteenth-century contemplative writers (‘mystics’), as well as of patristic and other theological treatises, focusing on the theme of comprehending and speaking about a transcendent divine dimension. The purpose is to show that Pearl and the works of Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, Walter Hilton, Richard Rolle and the author of The Cloud of Unknowing share a concern with attempting to express the inexpressible. In that attempt, concepts and ideas handed down by influential thinkers such as Dionysius the Areopagite, or Pseudo-Dionysius, turn out to be vital. Chapter one deals with underlying generic and narrative distinctions between Pearl and the texts of the... (More)
- This dissertation places Pearl in the context of works by the English fourteenth-century contemplative writers (‘mystics’), as well as of patristic and other theological treatises, focusing on the theme of comprehending and speaking about a transcendent divine dimension. The purpose is to show that Pearl and the works of Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, Walter Hilton, Richard Rolle and the author of The Cloud of Unknowing share a concern with attempting to express the inexpressible. In that attempt, concepts and ideas handed down by influential thinkers such as Dionysius the Areopagite, or Pseudo-Dionysius, turn out to be vital. Chapter one deals with underlying generic and narrative distinctions between Pearl and the texts of the contemplative writers. Medieval concepts of literature, as well as contemporary aspects of narratology, are discussed in order to identify principal dissimilarities with regard to narrative form and purpose. Chapter two presents Pearl in the context of the affective strain in fourteenth-century English contemplative and devotional writing. In the contemplative texts as well as in Pearl, the Passion is portrayed as the foundation for the spiritual life and as an essential principle of transformation. Chapter three closely examines the Dreamer, the narrator and protagonist of Pearl, at the beginning of the narrative up to his meeting with the Pearl-Maiden in Paradyse. Chapter three also considers the role and authority of the Marian Pearl-Maiden as a guide to the Dreamer and as an intermediary between the human and divine, i.e. between the Dreamer and God. The last two chapters discuss the concept of hierarchy and the idea of a transcendent but also an immanent God, as described by Pseudo-Dionysius and the English contemplative writers, in order to shed light on the Dreamer's (mis)conception of the divine and on his inner transformation. (Less)
- Abstract (Swedish)
- Popular Abstract in Swedish
Den engelska medeltidsdikten Pearl studeras främst mot bakgrund av Pseudo-Dionysius tankar samt den samtida kontemplativa litteraturen (d v s Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, Walter Hilton, Richard Rolle och den okände författaren av The Cloud of Unknowing). Det är framförallt med avseende på medeltida teologiska frågor om människans möjlighet och begränsing att förstå och återge det gudomliga som denna avhandling kommer med nytt material i forskningen om Pearl.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/21014
- author
- Sylén-Lagerholm, Annika LU
- supervisor
- opponent
-
- Prof. Spearing, Anthony C, University of Virginia
- organization
- publishing date
- 2003
- type
- Thesis
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- The Cloud of Unknowing, Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, Richard Rolle, Walter Hilton, dream visions in literature, mysticism and literature, Thomas Aquinas and literature, Pseudo-Dionysius in England, religion and literature, literature and theology, medieval English poetry, women and medieval literature, Middle English literature, Gawain author, contemplative writers in medieval England, Pearl author, Pearl, English language and literature, Engelska (språk och litteratur), General and comparative literature, literature criticism, literary theory, Allmän och jämförande litteratur, litteraturkritik, litteraturteori
- pages
- 183 pages
- defense location
- Department of English, Helgonabacken 14, Lund
- defense date
- 2003-03-01 10:15:00
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- b807b1de-57d0-4e71-8d84-6ce368beb757 (old id 21014)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-04 13:23:58
- date last changed
- 2018-11-21 21:13:42
@phdthesis{b807b1de-57d0-4e71-8d84-6ce368beb757,
abstract = {{This dissertation places Pearl in the context of works by the English fourteenth-century contemplative writers (‘mystics’), as well as of patristic and other theological treatises, focusing on the theme of comprehending and speaking about a transcendent divine dimension. The purpose is to show that Pearl and the works of Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, Walter Hilton, Richard Rolle and the author of The Cloud of Unknowing share a concern with attempting to express the inexpressible. In that attempt, concepts and ideas handed down by influential thinkers such as Dionysius the Areopagite, or Pseudo-Dionysius, turn out to be vital. Chapter one deals with underlying generic and narrative distinctions between Pearl and the texts of the contemplative writers. Medieval concepts of literature, as well as contemporary aspects of narratology, are discussed in order to identify principal dissimilarities with regard to narrative form and purpose. Chapter two presents Pearl in the context of the affective strain in fourteenth-century English contemplative and devotional writing. In the contemplative texts as well as in Pearl, the Passion is portrayed as the foundation for the spiritual life and as an essential principle of transformation. Chapter three closely examines the Dreamer, the narrator and protagonist of Pearl, at the beginning of the narrative up to his meeting with the Pearl-Maiden in Paradyse. Chapter three also considers the role and authority of the Marian Pearl-Maiden as a guide to the Dreamer and as an intermediary between the human and divine, i.e. between the Dreamer and God. The last two chapters discuss the concept of hierarchy and the idea of a transcendent but also an immanent God, as described by Pseudo-Dionysius and the English contemplative writers, in order to shed light on the Dreamer's (mis)conception of the divine and on his inner transformation.}},
author = {{Sylén-Lagerholm, Annika}},
keywords = {{The Cloud of Unknowing; Julian of Norwich; Margery Kempe; Richard Rolle; Walter Hilton; dream visions in literature; mysticism and literature; Thomas Aquinas and literature; Pseudo-Dionysius in England; religion and literature; literature and theology; medieval English poetry; women and medieval literature; Middle English literature; Gawain author; contemplative writers in medieval England; Pearl author; Pearl; English language and literature; Engelska (språk och litteratur); General and comparative literature; literature criticism; literary theory; Allmän och jämförande litteratur; litteraturkritik; litteraturteori}},
language = {{eng}},
school = {{Lund University}},
title = {{Pearl and Contemplative Writing}},
year = {{2003}},
}