Julian of Norwich

 "In the Servant is comprehended the Second Person in the Trinity; and in the Servant is comprehended Adam: that is to say, All-Man. And therefore when I say the Son, it meaneth the Godhead which is even with the Father; and when I say the Servant, it meaneth Christ's Manhood, which is rightful Adam. By the nearness of the Servant is understood the Son, and by the standing on the left side is understood Adam. The Lord is the Father, God; the Servant is the Son, Christ Jesus; the Holy Ghost is Even Love which is in them both."

In this quote from Julian of Norwich, it mostly speaks of man as being God’s servant. However, Adam, the first man, is compared to all man on earth as being the son and servant of God. In this quote there is a slight tone that provides a sense of power given to man. In this quote, it is more closely assumed that man is God’s son. In the rest of the writing, women are never referenced to as being the Son of God but more so as the mother.

"Motherhood in God: the first is grounded in our Nature's making; the second is taking of our nature, -- and there beginneth the Motherhood of Grace; the third is Motherhood of working, -- and therein is a forthspreading by the same Grace, of length and breadth and height and of deepness without end. And all is one Love."

In this quote from Julian of Norwich, readers are provided information about the importance of motherhood. The underlying theme is that a mothers job in life is to bear, raise, and love the children of God. This quote discusses how a woman’s grace in their life stems from spreading God’s grace through childbirth and the raising of children. However, from the point of view of a woman in more modern times, there may be feelings of resentment towards a woman’s sole purpose being to bear children. A lot of women in today’s society would disagree and claim that women do not need to bear children or give up their lives and possibilities of success to solely raise a child. 

"The Mother's service is nearest, readiest, and surest: [nearest, for it is most of nature; readiest, for it is most of love; and surest] for it is most of truth."

In this quote from Julian of Norwich, we read about the role of a mother. In the quote it speaks of how a mother’s role is the most set in stone. The design of a mother is to care for their children and be there for them whenever they are in need. In the Bible, mothers are meant to bear the children and raise them as well. In the quote it also states how the mothers love is the most concrete aspect. Readers are meant to see how mothers love their children unconditionally and their sole purpose is to bear and raise children. However, there is a conflict between the role of mothers in this writing versus in today’s time in the case that we do not view women to be the sole caregivers of children. Women do bear children and love their children unconditionally but it is not expected for women to have children or never have any other role in society besides raising children.