CANTERBURY OUTLINE

Guiding Questions:

1. What Tale did you choose?  Why?  What appealed to you?

I chose the monk because he lived his own life and still believed in his faith. He kept a piece of him that isn’t really something a typical monk would be praised for which is something that truly appealed to me.  

2. Describe the main character.

The monk is described as being well-off, someone who lived too “lavishly” even though his job description means living in poverty (he has a freaking HORSE). Physically, he is a heavy set man, who is bald; he dressed well-off with his “wrought-gold” pin and “fine gray fur.” He also likes to hunt thus likes to carry around a sword.      

3. How do Chaucer's choices in diction and syntax create the tone of this Tale?

Chaucer’s diction conveys that of appreciation for the monk. Unlike the others he criticized for being unlike their reputations, Chaucer uses satire to essentially tell his readers that although the monk has done something different from what he’s told to do, he has done no wrong.

“He let go by the things of yesterday

And took the modern world’s more spacious way...”

“....And I agreed and said his views were sound;”

4. How does Chaucer characterize the protagonist (both in content and technique)?

Monk → satire/irony and imagery → he believes in his faith but still follows the life he has led his life by; “he was a fat and personable priest,” “he did not rate that text at a plucked men // which says that hunters are not holy men”

5. What storytelling genre does this Tale represent?  Why?

His tale represents that of a religious/spiritual story; he is a monk that lives separate lives from other monks even though he believes in the same faith.  

6. How do the characterizations and events in this Tale represent the larger theme/s &/or purpose/s of Canterbury Tales?

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales evokes the idea that one's characteristics doesn't necessarily equate to reputation. Through the use of a satirical tone, Chaucer implies that society's expectations are barely met through quotas, or not at all. This is clearly seen in the Monk’s tale. His reputation requires him to live in poverty, but he has lived the exact opposite of that.   

7. How would you change/improve the Tale if you could?

No improvements.

8. How would the Tale be different if the career, or SES, or gender of the title character were different?

The meaning behind the tale would stay the same even if the content changed to something completely different. The purpose of the tales are to essentially induce the idea that character doesn’t reputation. Changing the actual tale might result in a different character with a different reputation, but the whole idea would remain the same because it’s concrete. For example, changing the Monk into a female version would change the plot, but the meaning doesn’t change.  

9. As you analyze the Tale, what ideas or writing techniques make it especially effective in conveying its message?

Satire/Irony → monks living in poverty; the Monk in the story lived lavishly

Imagery → “His head was bald and shined like looking-glass”

Tone → appreciative; his story was unlike many of the tales because it is one that Chaucer doesn’t criticize, but more so something he appreciated because the Monk did nothing wrong    

10. How can you use any of the techniques you read to improve your own writing?

Learning how to write in frame would be something I believe would make my writing stronger (creative writing). Understanding the usage of indirect/direct characterization would help me write and analyze documents better.

Collaboration with: Marcel Dube, Jayce Alegre, Danielle Cadenas, Bailey Reasner