The church at Kingsbridge is a potent symbol of the past, particularly the original builders of the structure and the church as an institution during the founding of the church. As <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Character" href="https://www.supersummary.com/world-without-end/major-character-analysis/#295513">Merthin</a> discovers later in the novel, the foundation upon which the church was built is not enough to support the many additions made in the design later. As a result, the church suffers a series of collapses over the course of the novel. These structural faults symbolize the weaknesses and hypocrisy of the priors and monks within the church. The initial collapse occurs under the leadership of Prior <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Character" href="https://www.supersummary.com/world-without-end/major-character-analysis/#295519">Anthony</a> and is a symbol of how his passivity leaves the church vulnerable to more assertive people like <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Character" href="https://www.supersummary.com/world-without-end/major-character-analysis/#295512">Godwyn</a>. Godwyn’s skimping on repair costs and use of contracts for the repairs to manipulate the town and Merthin show that he is so corrupt that he pursues his own interests over that of the church and the people the church is designed to serve. During the waves of the plague, the church is packed with people, likely making the church a source of the spread of the infection. People like Caris are aware of this possibility, but Godwyn and other church officials insist that a turn to God will save the townspeople.

The Church

The Plague

The Bridge

The Kingsbridge Panacea

Gender

Books that Feature the Theme of Femininity

Literary Area of Study

British Literature

Values & Ideas

Challenging Authority

Society

Class

Social Issues

Historic & Literary Period

Medieval Literature / Middle Ages

Order & Chaos

Popular Study Guides

Power

Genres

Romance

Ken Follett

Adult

Novel

Kingsbridge

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Book Brief

Explore World Without End reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

About World Without End

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore World Without End and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

World Without End Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1 World Without End Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 World Without End Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 World Without End Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4 World Without End Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5 World Without End Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6 World Without End Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7 World Without End Part 7 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

World Without End Character Analysis

theme

Themes

World Without End Themes

Symbols & Motifs

World Without End Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

World Without End Important Quotes with Page Numbers

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

World Without End Essay Topics

World Without End

Symbols & Motifs

Related Titles

Featured Collections