Memories of Gluckel

Memoirs of Gluck of Hameln: Reflection

            Gluck, as a Jewish woman who lived in German, had enough privilege of being permitted to travel and see other parts of the country. Her husband, who was a merchant, sometimes travels with her. Aside from traveling, Gluck also meets and makes arrangements with other families for the marriages of her children. Usually though, she just stayed at home together with her fourteen children during the long time of her husband’s absences.

            Gluck and her husband were very much in love, notwithstanding undeniably the fact that it was an arranged marriage, just as the ones she made for her children. Actually, the marriages of her children considerably occupied much of the book. The content of the book is mainly characterized by stories, stories that can entertain as well as instruct, and can also be called aggraded, midrashim and parables. However, the book also contains much of history such as the fascinating first-hand account of the mission of the false messiah, Shabbat Tavi. In fact, I honestly think that there is no other first-hand account on this event. Gluck is totally unaware that she is writing one of the major events in history.

            It was stated in Locke’s intent to write a story of her family in order for her children to be aware of what type of people they came from. Gluck explains that her need to gather such document is due to the death of her husband, when she found so many sleepless nights that she needs to occupy the wee hours saying is it was “to drive away the idle melancholy thoughts that torment me.”

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