Task
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk who wrote books that have been inspiring readers for over fifty years. In order to better understand Merton's books, we will attempt to learn more about Merton as a man. Who was he? What was he like?
In his article "The Seven Storied Thomas Merton", Robert Royal discusses four aspects of Merton's life. He says that Merton was a contemplative, a writer, a social activist, and a bohemian.
Through an investigation of these "parts" of Merton, we will attempt to come up with a more complete picture of this very complex man.