An Incomplte Image of a Man

Kayla Coleman

D Block

O’Brien

Canterbury Tales Essay

An Incomplete Image of a Man

“No character in a literary work can or should be reduced to a single interpretation” band Chaucer the author are also males”, Rosemary M. Canfield Riesman states in her essay “A Feminist Perspective on The Canterbury Tales” from Critical Insights: The Canterbury Tales (Riesman). The notion that Geoffrey Chaucer was a feminist is tossed around without second thought by critics’ male and female, and everyday people who read The Canterbury Tales, or specifically the Wife of Bath’s Prologue. Chaucer highlights several female characters such as the Wife of Bath, the Prioress and the Second Nun, but none of them present intense, formidable feminist opinions concerning the inequalities and hypocrisies of marriage other than “the colorful Wife of Bath” (Riesman). Editor in chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine, Helen Gurley Brown defines feminism as “wanting the best for both sexes” (Helen Gurley Brown: I’m A Devout Feminist). The Wife of Bath’s five marriages and satirical interpretations of men reflect this modern definition of feminism. Her story provides insight to the ideas of a woman living in the medieval times, as well as any woman opposed to patriarchal and unequal opportunities from any time period. Basically, she is an archetype for future women in real life and fictional works. That being said, The Wife of Bath’s story and outlook do not automatically equivocate to being Chaucer’s ideas and opinions about marriage and the woman’s role in society. 

“Do you think as long as I can preach… that I will live in poverty, by choice? No! Let me preach from kirk to kirk and never do an honest job of work” the Pardoner proclaims in his prologue (Chaucer, 244). With blatant and biased interpretations of clergymen, Chaucer satirizes the clergy and the church by stuffing The Pardoner’s Tale with as many stereotypes as humanly possible. The Pardoner’s miserly ways are so over-exaggerated the reader has no choice but to laugh at the ridiculous interpretation that Chaucer has created. Chaucer uses this sarcastic interpretation of the persons of medieval society as the backbone for the tone of each story and overarching theme to connect all of them. Since the Pardoner chooses to “drink the liquor of the grape and keep a jolly wench in every town”, does this mean Chaucer to maintain a similar lifestyle or set of morals? No, it does not. What this does confirm, is Chaucer’s ability to read and understand the vices and follies of people and professionals in his society while maintain a light hearted tone and storyline to his novel.

Chaucer’s ability to empathize and interpret the lifestyle, and values of the characters he has encountered in 14^th century society allows him to create stereotypical yet dynamic characters. Chaucer is credited as being a feminist, but why isn’t he credited as being a belligerent clergyman. His capacity to stereotype and tap into the mind of the Pardoner is no different than what he does with The Wife of Bath. The Wife of Bath is not representative of every woman during the 14^th century, just as the Pardoner is not the spokesperson or prime example of all members of the church. Although Chaucer is the first to incorporate a feminist perspective in his tale, this does not confine him to the beliefs of The Wife of Bath.  ‘If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn’t matter a damn how you write’ Somerset Maugham once said. Chaucer is not exempt from this idea.

His knack of creating controversial characters, especially female characters has allowed him to shoulder the reputation as a feminist. Not to diminish this title or feat in creating the Wife of Bath, but this title is a misnomer. Chaucer is an empathetic, perceptive writer, but he is not a feminist.

Works Cited

Canfield Reisman, Rosemary M. "A Feminist Perspective on The Canterbury Tales." Critical Insights: The Canterbury Tales. Ed. Jack Lynch. Vol. 1. N.p.: EBSCO Pub, 2010. N. pag. Salem Press. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. <http://salempress.com/Store/samples/critical_insights/canterbury_feminist.htm>.

Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. New York, New York: Penguin Group, 1977. Print.

CNN. Helen Gurley Brown: I'm a Devout Feminist. Youtube. CNN, 13 Aug. 2012. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk8A5EvqwOk>.

"Cosmo Girl & feminism: Who's come a long way, baby?" Philly.com. Ed. Robert J. Hall et al. Interstate General Media, 15 Aug. 2012. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. <http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-15/news/33217444_1_sexual-revolution-fewer-women-fewer-teens>.