Chapter 18 Summary and Analysis

The sixth chapter on the Sixth Dwelling describes the immensity of a soul's desire to die and join her Beloved. Life seems unendurably separate from Him in all of her moments except for her moments of worship. She yearns, since she is still living, at least to have the freedom to go deep into the world and inspire other souls to praise Him, but is forced to remember that in the 16th century, living in a convent, that is a task reserved for the men, so she must remain withdrawn. The butterfly can find no rest. Rather than allowing the reader to pity this soul, however, Teresa reminds her that she has the infinity of the strength of God to buoy her. In the moments when she becomes timid and so aware of her own weakness, God even leaves her to...