This novel provides an insight into the life of a Medieval anchoress called Sarah, who has decided to isolate herself from the outside world by boarding herself up in a cell. Sarah's motivations for doing this are complex and pertinent. From reading the first few pages, it is obvious that Sarah is experiencing trauma after seeing her younger sister die in childbirth. She describes this in the following passage: "my little sister's life dragged from her body. Her wails of pain, then her whimpers that terrified me even more, the desperate grip of her hand that weakened and finally let go."
It is suggested that as a result, Sarah is afraid of her body, and the pain that it promises from childbirth. This, coupled with unwanted advances from Sir Thomas, compelled Sarah to try and escape from her own body whilst also escaping from the pain and suffering of the world. This being said, while in her cell Sarah is still connected to the real world through her senses, and also through conversations with other people. We learn that the walls of her cell are not impenetrable from harm, as it is revealed that a previous anchoress was attacked by a bishop whilst staying in the very same cell.
As such, there is a pertinent exploration of female issues in this text, symbolized by Sarah's discomfort with her own body. This being said, Sarah is also depicted as a woman who is asserting her agency and freedom. Rather than accept a marriage proposal from the wealthy Sir Thomas, Sarah decides for herself that she would like to become an anchoress. This choice to isolate herself from the pain and threat of the real world is a rare example of female agency that would have been allowed during the Medieval era.
