Chapter 3, Years of Freedom Summary

Knecht is twenty-four years old when his schooldays end with his graduation from Waldzell. He is now in his years of free study and he feels that these are the happiest days of his life. He could now study what he wants in order to expand his own mind without the structure of a curriculum. He has no doubts about himself or his dedication at this time. Students have much more intellectual freedom because of the availability of resources. There are no restrictions of any kind on the free studies, and most of the worldly dangers and temptations are absent. It is rare for a student to marry and leave the Order. The only restriction on the student is that he must present a plan of study each semester. He only has to file a yearly report...