Chaucer and Women

Paper Summary:

This paper illustrates how Chaucer gives women a voice, especially those who have been abused and denigrated by the males to whom they are meant to be subjective. The paper describes how Chaucer includes rape and lewd behavior, not as a balance for the virtue of women, but as a representation of reality. The paper contends that Chaucer exaggerates instances for the betterment of the story and as a means of parody. Among those things most often parodied is the social construct of gender roles for women.

Outline
Introduction
Background in Feminism
The Tales of Women
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"It cannot be denied that Chaucer's contribution to the literary process was considerable. In an age where the printed word was just coming into existence, his work was among the very few that was accessible to the masses as well as to the nobility. The fact that it was one of a few and was widely distributed and retold gives credence to the assertion that he was able to contribute to the development of the social structure in a positive manner. However, there is a second side to Chaucer's rendition of folklore: it reflects the paternalistic and near misogyny of the times through its representation of women."

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