Discuss The Relationship Between Abelard And Heloise

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In the fifth letter between Abelard and Heloise, Heloise addresses the issue of the many people who "blindly rush into religious vows." Heloise fell into the group of women who are discarded by their husbands and families for financial or personal reasons. According to historian, Emily Coleman, women were considered financial drains on their families, and while the poorer members of society may have succumbed to the idea of infanticide to rid themselves of costly daughters, wealthier people had the option to send their daughters to the Church as a form or penance or because it was a cheaper investment than a dowry to a future husband. While Heloise was not discarded by her family, she could relate to the feelings of abandonment because she