Who was Margery Kempe? What were some of the challenges that she encountered?

Margery is the main character of the book and she is the one who has her memoires written down. The book presents her life from her youth to her old age and it records her spiritual experiences. The reason why Kempe wanted to have her book written down is to serve as some kind of learning manual for those who also want to get closer to God. In her youth however she was not as pious as in her adulthood and she mentions how she tries to make up for her mistakes from her past. Margery is married to a man named John but she wishes she were still a virgin so she could serve God better. Kempe feels that because she is no longer a virgin she can’t receive the same blessings in Heaven as other virgins before her but she is assured that her good actions will grant her a good place in Heaven. Despite being extremely religious and learned, Margery is illiterate. Not being able to read was not considered something unusual for the times when Margery lived but it did meant that Margery had to face certain difficulties when she wanted to have her book written down. Margery is loved and hated equally for her faith by the people around her. Margery fells compelled to scream and cry during sermons and religious days because she feels as if her tears are a gift from God. While a large group of people feel the same, there are also non-believers who see Kempe as a fake who only cries because she wants to attract attention on her and who is not controlled by God but rather by the Devil. Truth be told, Margery doubts at times that her visions are really from God or the Devil but she is given proof that God is with her and then she becomes more confident in her revelations.