In "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," Barbara W. Tuchman examines the complexities of societal norms and their dehumanizing aspects. She highlights how certain individuals and practices were relegated to a status of servitude, with some being compared to slaves due to their lack of autonomy. This comparison illustrates the systematic oppression faced by many during this tumultuous period. Moreover, Tuchman draws a striking parallel to brothels, underscoring how human dignity was often commodified. The reference to both slavery and brothel life serves to emphasize the pervasive exploitation and moral decay in the 14th-century social landscape, revealing a stark critique of the ethos of the time.

In "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," Barbara W. Tuchman examines the complexities of societal norms and their dehumanizing aspects. She highlights how certain individuals and practices were relegated to a status of servitude, with some being compared to slaves due to their lack of autonomy. This comparison illustrates the systematic oppression faced by many during this tumultuous period.

Moreover, Tuchman draws a striking parallel to brothels, underscoring how human dignity was often commodified. The reference to both slavery and brothel life serves to emphasize the pervasive exploitation and moral decay in the 14th-century social landscape, revealing a stark critique of the ethos of the time.