ENG 310A : Julian 1

JULIAN OF NORWICH

Revelations of

Divine Love

ENG 310A : Julian 2

BIO/LITERARY DATES b. 1342/43 - d. after 1416 Revelations of Divine Love: visions and

short version, 1373; long version ca. 1393 first known named female writer in English

– an anchoress (definition) religion and female author-ity literary/spiritual influences

ENG 310A : Julian 3

Revelations: Patterns, Style Thinking in Threes (and 4’s, 5’s)

– Trinitarian parallels (Father/Son/Spirit; Might/Wisdom/Love-Will; etc., etc.)

Style: Meditative, Sermon-like, Oratorical– cf. “I have a dream” speech (MLK, Jr.)– meant to change writer and audience emotionally,

morally– repetitive, often with sound effects (alliteration,

etc.)

ENG 310A : Julian 4

Revelations: Julian’s Theology theology of com-passion (“suffering with”) “and all shall be well” -- on the nature and

ultimate impermanence of sin/alienation from God, role of pain

God as loving Lord– parable of servant: humanity as Adam/Christ,

essentially positive view of human nature– lord/servant as descendant of lord/thane bond

ENG 310A : Julian 5

Revelations: Theology, cont’d. Jesus as Mother

– maternal/feminine dimensions of God– parallels with human mother/child relationships

Soul as royal city of strength– divine presence within self– metaphors of security, order, ability to resist

spiritual trouble– “thou shalt not be overcome”