About the book
2001 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title
Exploring Old English texts ranging from Beowulf to Ælfric's Lives of Saints, this book examines ways that women's monastic, material, and devotional practices in Anglo-Saxon England shaped literary representations of women and femininity. Horner argues that these representations derive from a \"discourse\" of female monastic enclosure, based on the increasingly strict rules of cloistered confinement that regulated the female religious body in the early Middle Ages. She shows that the female subjects of much Old English literature are enclosed by many layers—literal and figurative, textual, material, discursive, spatial—all of which image and reinforce the powerful institutions imposed by the Church on the female body. Though it has long been recognized that medieval religious women were enclosed, and that virginity was highly valued, this book is the first to consider the interrelationships of these two positions—that is, how the material practices of female monasticism inform the textual operations of Old English literature.
Editions of The Discourse of Enclosure
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780791450093
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780791450109
- PDF
- ISBN 9780791490440
Read an Excerpt
2001 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title
Exploring Old English texts ranging from Beowulf to Ælfric's Lives of Saints, this book examines ways that women's monastic, material, and devotional practices in Anglo-Saxon England shaped literary representations of women and femininity. Horner argues that these representations derive from a \"discourse\" of female monastic enclosure, based on the increasingly strict rules of cloistered confinement that regulated the female religious body in the early Middle Ages. She shows that the female subjects of much Old English literature are enclosed by many layers—literal and figurative, textual, material, discursive, spatial—all of which image and reinforce the powerful institutions imposed by the Church on the female body. Though it has long been recognized that medieval religious women were enclosed, and that virginity was highly valued, this book is the first to consider the interrelationships of these two positions—that is, how the material practices of female monasticism inform the textual operations of Old English literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Discourse of Enclosure about?
2001 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title
Exploring Old English texts ranging from Beowulf to Ælfric's Lives of Saints, this book examines ways that women's monastic, material, and devotional practices in Anglo-Saxon England shaped literary representations of women and femininity. Horner argues that these representations derive from a \"discourse\" of female monastic enclosure, based on the increasingly strict rules of cloistered confinement that regulated the female religious body in the early Middle Ages. She shows that the female subjects of much Old English literature are enclosed by many layers—literal and figurative, textual, material, discursive, spatial—all of which image and reinforce the powerful institutions imposed by the Church on the female body. Though it has long been recognized that medieval religious women were enclosed, and that virginity was highly valued, this book is the first to consider the interrelationships of these two positions—that is, how the material practices of female monasticism inform the textual operations of Old English literature.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Discourse of Enclosure?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism > Literary studies: general > Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval
Where can I read a sample of The Discourse of Enclosure?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780791450093
How long is The Discourse of Enclosure and how many pages does it have?
The Discourse of Enclosure has 217 page(s)
Is The Discourse of Enclosure part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series SUNY series in Medieval Studies
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Discourse of Enclosure?
Shari Horner
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Discourse of Enclosure is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780791450093) and paperback(ISBN 9780791450109) and pdf(ISBN 9780791490440)
Where can I buy The Discourse of Enclosure online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy The Discourse of Enclosure?