Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 3:

Chapter 3 deals with the responsibilities of and attitudes towards women. Specifically, the authors lead us through a typical day in the life of a medieval burgher housewife. The day is divided by bells ringing at three-hour intervals to mark the offices of the Church. The dawn bell begins the day. The housewife refrains from any makeup, wigs, or undergarments that binds her bosom because it is frowned upon by the church. She does however apply ointment to lighten her skin, as the ideal beauty in medieval times has skin as "white as snow on ice."

Shopping for food is a daily chore, which includes stops to the butcher's, poulterer's, and the pastry shop. The accepted currency are silver coins called deniers. The housewife must always be on the lookout for poor quality goods, like watered down...