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The politics of Middle English parables

Fiction, theology, and social practice
By Mary Raschko
Series: Manchester Medieval Literature and Culture
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Brief Description
The politics of Middle English parables examines the dynamic intersection of fiction, theology, and social practice in late-medieval England. Parables occupy a prominent place in Middle English literature, appearing in dream visions and story collections, as well as in lives of Christ and devotional treatises. While... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$11900

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This study explores how writers reconciled provocative biblical stories with late-medieval culture. Highlighting the many variations and points of conflict across renditions of the same story, the book unfolds a creative theological discourse through which writers attempted to re-construct Christian belief and practice.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The politics of Middle English parables examines the dynamic intersection of fiction, theology, and social practice in late-medieval England.

Parables occupy a prominent place in Middle English literature, appearing in dream visions and story collections, as well as in lives of Christ and devotional treatises. While most scholarship approaches the translated stories as stable vehicles of Christian teaching, this book highlights the many variations and points of conflict across Middle English renditions of the same story.

In parables related to labour, social inequality, charity, and penance, the book locates a creative theological discourse through which writers attempted to re-construct Christian belief and practice. Analysis of these diverse retellings reveals not what a given parable meant in a definitive sense, but rather how Middle English parables inscribe the ideologies, power structures, and cultural debates of late-medieval Christianity.

Series: Manchester Medieval Literature and Culture

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  • The politics of Middle English parables
    The politics of Middle English parables
    The politics of Middle English parables examines the dynamic intersection of fiction, theology, and social practice in late-medieval England. Parables occupy a prominent place in Middle English literature, appearing in dream visions and story collections, as well as in lives of Christ and devotional treatises. While most scholarship approaches the translated stories as stable vehicles of Christian teaching, this book...
    By Mary Raschko
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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526199805

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 June 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Manchester University Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 320g

Pages: 272

Collections

Arts & Culture Mary Raschko Non-Fiction Religion & Spirituality Series: Manchester Medieval Literature and Culture

About the Author

Mary Raschko is Associate Professor of English at Whitman College

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