Book Analysis

Book Analysis

Summary

Seven Storey Mountain tells the story of Merton's conversion to Roman Catholicism and his commitment to the monastic way of life within the Cistercian (Trappist) Order of the Benedictine Tradition. The book begins by reviewing the loneliness of Merton's childhood. His mother died when he was six, and his father died ten years later. Merton was subsequently shuffled between temporary accommodations in France, England and finally the United States.

As a boy, Merton was given nominal exposure to Anglican and Protestant Christianity. However, in his late teen years, Merton rejected religious faith entirely. His motto was “I believe in ...