MovieChat Forums > The Nun's Story (1959) Discussion > Gabrielle kissing the feet of her fellow...

Gabrielle kissing the feet of her fellow sisters

posted 10 years ago by pjglynndoora
2 replies | jump to latest

That was a bit degrading

[–] nirbok 10 years ago

It's meant to be degrading. So were all the penances practiced in the refectory. That's the only way to become humble -- to be humiliated. (I personally think it's a crock.)

I intend to live forever, or die trying.

[–] beyondwords 10 years ago

It was meant to teach humility, a difficult lesson for many to learn, even in an environment which calls for vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. If it was degrading, it meant that the nun had not completely embraced unquestioning, perfect obedience or was still clinging to pride, which was thought to stand between a person's total commitment to God.