Talk:Pilgrimage

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Pilgrimage article

Having just finished teaching a couple semesters of a writing course that focused on the subject of pilgrimage, I'd like to rough out a CZ article that pulls together some of the main themes. I'll develop this later this week, but I see it as an article on the practice—both religious and secular—of travel on a personal or spiritual search. I intend to sketch out an overview of religious pilgrimage practice, secular and cultural pilgrimages, and delve into some of the scholarship (religious, psychological) that helps explain an ancient practice that shows no sign of going away in the modern world. I'll also touch on literary manifestations of the practice (Chaucer, Bunyan, etc.), and the metaphor of pilgrimage in the modern world.

--Robert Rubin 02:18, 1 May 2007 (CDT)

Great entry

Hi Robert,

A great entry here -- and much needed.

One aspect of pilgrimage not often covered is the belief, beginning with the Lollards in the 1380's, that pilgrimage was ineffectual and a waste of resources (the Lollards thought much the same about the sacraments, the Eucharist, and priestly orders). Some early protestants may indeed have regarded Chaucer's Canterbury Tales as evidence of the irreligious attitudes of pilgrims (on top of the other shortcomings of sundry Church officers along for the ride).

In 1370, oddly enough, one "John Baron" of Agmundesham was arrested on suspicion of heresy; among the heretical books he confessed to owning was a copy of the Canterbury Tales! He, like his fellow heretics arrested at the same time (apparently part of a cell or "conventicle") all confessed to holding that pilgrimage was "of no worth."

I'm not sure under what heading to place this, but would be happy to craft an account of the above for use in the entry.

Russell Potter 10:02, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

That sounds great. I was going to deal with Chaucer, etc., under the Literary heading. It could go there, for now.

--Robert Rubin 15:11, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

Literary and Historical

Russell, I think you got your Cromwells mixed up. Aside from that, it's a strong addition. Thanks! I have other material I plan to add to this subheading, as well.

As an aside, my wife and I walked the route called the Pilgrims Way (not the one taken by Chaucer's pilgrims) from Winchester to Canterbury a few years ago. At the gate to the Cathedral close was--you guessed it--a Starbucks, where we got out of our muddy walking clothes and changed to enter the close and attend Evensong.

--Robert Rubin 18:15, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

Thanks for correcting my Cromwells (must have been getting sleepy as I wrote that (I think Thomas was Oliver's great great uncle or some such). And your mention of the Pilgrim's Way reminded me that the name really means the route from the old capital at Winchester, not London (you must have taken a section of that), whereas Chaucer's folk would have taken the Old Kent Road (a.k.a. Watling Street) at least most of the way on their outward journey. I've tweaked a bit to correct this -- will leave what's there in your capable hands! Russell Potter 18:40, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

Pilgrimage as a modern metaphor

Hi Rick, just an afterthought -- not sure where this should go -- but Dorothy Richardson's sequence of novel/memoirs Pilgrimage may deserve mention here. Russell Potter 22:35, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

You talkin' to me? <grin> I don't know those books, Russell. My idea is to talk about pilgrimage here not as a literary metaphor (that should go in the section where we added the Chaucer material) but rather as a cultural metaphor. For instance, the person who ironically says, "I went on the pilgrimage to Disney World," or "Graceland." I want to talk about how, in an ostensibly secular society, the pattern continues as strongly as ever. I certainly wouldn't object to having you mention Richardson in the literary section.

Eventually, this entry might find its home under the umbrella of Religion, rather than Literature, though obviously there will be a lot of links there. But I think it should be broader than just a discussion of pilgrimage as a literary reference. --Robert Rubin 11:35, 8 May 2007 (CDT)

Talk:Pilgrimage

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Pilgrimage article

Great entry

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Talk:Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage article

Great entry

Literary and Historical

Pilgrimage as a modern metaphor

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