The Renaissance inaugurated the age of books, at least among the aristocracy, and many of the features we now associate with the codex arose in response to the boom in silent readership” (p. 54). Oral literature originated and refracted from the idea of providing a sense of community—it preserved traditions of the past, and typically there were multiple competing versions. There was no single “correct” version, since stories changed and evolved over time, much like the evolution of the book as an object. The book was no longer viewed merely as an artifact but as a device that contained and spread knowledge. Furthermore, because the Renaissance was a period of academic and intellectual development and curiosity, only the higher orders of society had access to books—and, most importantly, they were the only ones who had access to education, an education that gave them the tools necessary to read. For instance, books were widespread among aristocrats, scholars, and the clergy. Books also served as symbols of status, as noted by their availability “among the aristocracy.” They were not only tools for instruction and learning but also demonstrated social standing and divisions among different classes. If I were to make an educated guess, because there was a social and cultural shift in literature and literacy regarding the modern features associated with the codex, those features might include page numbers, indexes, and tables of contents. Books became tools for study and reference rather than mere amalgamations or compilations of manuscripts, serving a different purpose for a society that had shifted its values. One of the values in question is individualism over the sense of community– books and literature were no longer meant to provide a sense of community but created a space for self-reflection– making our relationship with literature private and, in some instances, spiritual and sacred.