Margery Kempe

One important theme in the novel is obedience, which is linked with spirituality and religion. It is stressed the importance of listening and following orders in order to be saved, and Jesus even tells Margery that the best way she can serve him is to be quiet, to listen to him and to follow his orders no matter what. Obedience was required especially from women as they were considered naturally inferior to men and unable to take any important decisions by themselves. Thus, Kempe had to be obedient to God, Jesus, her husband, the church and also other ecclesiastic figures she visited and who advised her on what to do.