The White Tower Summary and Analysis

Frederick feels that the original "stamp" each individual receives from God—the original self—is the essential part of one's identity. Buried deep in each person are all the wisdom, strength and healing abilities one needs. Whether these characteristics are called upon or not depends on the individual. One's best moments originate from those hidden depths. Art—painting, writing, musical composition—resides there. Prayer, the solemn words that express one's true emotions, come from the original self.

Society disrupts and disfigures the original person. People begin to emulate others who they believe to be more desirable than they or live try to live up to an ideal that the world will find more acceptable. Soon the real person is lost and forgotten under the debris of lies and pretense.

In the eleventh century...