According to Hwanhee Park, mealtimes serve as a stage for Margery Kempe to prove her orthodoxy. Park cites multiple late medieval writings that provide historical context about cultural practices surrounding mealtimes. These sources also help provide insight into exactly what Margery may have been trying to accomplish at mealtimes. In particular, Park asserts that Margery’s open presence at meals with other Christians—especially church officials—stands in contrast to the supposedly secretive nature of Lollard activities. Park also points out that Margery demonstrates her biblical understanding by both overtly following Jesus’ teachings (such as habitually accepting the lowest seat at the table) and by basing her scriptural conversations in her own words rather than by quoting the Bible directly. As Margery gains legitimacy with her dining partners of both high and humble standing, she also influences others for good. Thus, Park argues that for Margery, the table becomes not just a place to socialize, but a subtle stand-in for a church-legitimized pulpit.
https://muse-jhu-edu.ezproxy.mnsu.edu/article/722433
--Amanda Fetters
