... Eco involves his readers in the complications of early-fourteenth-century theological and political controversies and philosophical debates over nominalism. He further perplexes ordinary readers with the linguistic challenges of numerous snatches of classical and medieval Latin, French, and German, not to mention the peculiar polyglot ... lot size, features of the site, or economics. Like the abbey, St. Gall was a self-contained community. Intended to house 270 people, both monks and laymen, it contained all the functions necessary to sustain body and soul without contact with the outs...

• Word Count: 4697
• Approx Pages: 19
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate