Contradictions in Chaucers The Canterbury Tales Essay

Contradictions in Chaucers The Canterbury Tales There is no question that contradictory values make up a major component of The Canterbury Tales. Fate vs. Fortuna, knowledge vs. experience and love vs. hate all embody Chaucers famous work. These contrasting themes are an integral part of the complexity and sophistication of the book, as they provide for an ironic dichotomy to the creative plot development and undermine the superficial assumptions that might be made. The combination of completely contradictory motifs leads to the unusual stories and outcomes that come to play out in the tales. And these outcomes draw focus on the larger universal issues that in many cases transcend the boundaries of vernacular periods to all of†¦show more content†¦In the debate, a number of different options have emerged. Some, like medieval author Paul Ruggiers, argue that it is impossible to determine the Prioress?s attitude and that, ?we must be satisfied with ambiguity.? Others like writer Victoria Wickham argue the most popular belie f, that the Prioress?s bigotry is without question and readers should be more concerned about the degree rather than the fact itself. But there is another possibility. Edwards and Spector, two prominent medieval scholars, put aside the issue of racism temporarily and instead offer an alternative interpretation on the very nature of Chaucer?s love-hate contradiction in the Prioress?s tale. They argue that the love vs. hate contradiction is not dependent on outside forces, but is actually an internal conflict within the Prioress herself. Consequently, the individuals and subsequent groups in her tale are not specific characters but culturally influenced manifestations representing separate issues. In this way her personality becomes the allegory of her tale, making specific references within her story irrelevant to her true attitude. In this writer?s opinion, popular attitudes on the nature of the love-hate contradiction in the Prioress?s tale are wrong; Edwards and Stevens help prove this. Rather than considering the most obvious stand-alone factors of love and hate in the story, specifically the description of the Prioress and her affinity for Christianity vs. the evilShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The General Prologue To The Canterbury Tales Essays1044 Words   |  5 Pagesthe lowest order was involved in this practice. Geoffrey Chaucer, one of the most important writers in English literature, was the author of The Canterbury Tales, an elaborate poem about the religious pilgrimage of twenty nine people to Canterbury. In the General Prologue Chaucer introduces each individual along for the journey. Through The Canterbury Tales, we discover the hypocrisy and virtues Chaucer narrates in his characters and can appreciate the nuances in this superior piece of literatureRead MoreEssay on Chaucers The Canterb ury Tales927 Words   |  4 PagesChaucers The Canterbury Tales In The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer comments on moral corruption within the Roman Catholic Church. He criticizes many high-ranking members of the Church and describes a lack of morality in medieval society; yet in the â€Å"Retraction,† Chaucer recants much of his work and pledges to be true to Christianity. Seemingly opposite views exist within the â€Å"Retraction† and The Canterbury Tales. However, this contradiction does not weaken Chaucer’s social commentary.Read MoreThe Wife of Bath Essay715 Words   |  3 PagesWife of Bath vs. Lady Gaga Geoffrey Chaucers, Wife of Bath, character in Canterbury Tales can be compared with todays modern pop icon Lady Gaga. 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Although these two stories are very different, they both use irony to teach a lesson.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Of the stories, The Pardoners Tale displaysRead More Powerful Satire in Chaucers Canterbury Tales Essay3466 Words   |  14 PagesPowerful Satire in The Canterbury Tales If one theme can be considered overriding or defining throughout Medieval European society, it would most likely be the concept of social class structure. During this early historical period in Europe, most of society was divided into three classes or estates: the workers, the nobles, and the clerics. By Chaucers time, however, the powerful estate structure had begun to wear down. Weaknesses in the system became apparent, as many people, such as ChaucerRead MoreThe Pardoner and His Tale Essay1236 Words   |  5 PagesThe Pardoner and His Tale The Pardoner is a renaissance figure that wanders the lands in hopes of bringing forgiveness to those in need. This Pardoner is a bad pardoner among the other pardoners. The tale that he tells is a moral one that is suppose to bring about the desire from people to ask for forgiveness. Instead the Pardoner uses this tale as a way of contracting money from his fellow pilgrims. The Pardoner is a person that is suppose to practice what he preaches. What that personRead More Canterbury Tales Essay - Wife of Bath as an Attack on Married Life?1291 Words   |  6 PagesCanterbury Tales - Wife of Bath is Not an Attack on Women and Married Life Feminists have proposed that the Prologue of the Wife of Bath is merely an attack on women and married life. The Prologue is spoken by a woman with strong opinions on how married life should be conducted, but is written by a man. It is important to examine the purpose with which Chaucer wrote it. This is especially so as many of the pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales condemn themselves out of their own mouths, such asRead MoreSatire of the Knight in the Prologue and Knights Tale of The Canterbury Tales2192 Words   |  9 Pageswrote his Canterbury Tales. Websters New World Dictionary says that satire is the use of ridicule, sarcasm, etc. to attack vices, follies, etc. Using that definition, I think that all of the pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales are satirized to some extent; some of the satirizations are more subtle than others. The Knight is one of the pilgrims that is more subtly satirized. Chaucer satirizes knights and chivalry in two different ways: in the prologue and in the Knights Tale. The firstRead MoreCharacter Satire in Chaucers Canterbury Tales2302 Words   |  10 PagesSatire of the Knight in Prologue and Knights Tale Satire. Satire is a biting literary tool, one that Geoffery Chaucer used liberally when he wrote his Canterbury Tales. Websters New World Dictionary says that satire is the use of ridicule, sarcasm, etc. to attack vices, follies, etc. Using that definition, I think that all of the pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales are satirized to some extent; some of the satirizations are more subtle than others. The Knight is one of the pilgrimsRead More Chaucers Women From Eve to Mary Essay1272 Words   |  6 PagesChaucers Women From Eve to Mary The Middle Ages was an interesting time to be a woman. For centuries the church generally disapproved of, with equal measure, women and sex. Women were not even thought of as human beings, and were seen as necessary only in what they could do for their men. When the men left for the Crusades women were given a larger role in the upkeep of their husbands’ houses and estates, and assumed a more public role in the community. This gave the women a greater feeling

Social Classes And Gender, Ideology, And The Daily Lives...

There is a differentiation among both social classes and genders in regards to how they experienced poverty in Medieval Paris. In Sharon Farmer’s Surviving Poverty in Medieval Paris: Gender, Ideology, and the Daily Lives of the Poor , the opposition between those of the upper and lower classes is evident by her observation of the impoverished being seen as less trustworthy. The distinction between how both genders experienced poverty is addressed. Women were viewed as a liability that could only be controlled by the male figure in their lives, usually a husband or father. Meanwhile, men were responsible for not only their own successes, but also the prosperity of their family. Jussi Hanska agrees with these claims made by Farmer, except he feels that there is some debate regarding how the penniless were perceived. The upper and lower class were regarded with different approaches by general society. Men and women of higher social standing were seen as equals. Their ability to work for an abundance of money defined them as less likely to be sinful and more able to control any desire to sin than those in poverty. In medieval times, their surroundings produced people who believed there was a correlation between the amount of money a person possessed and their dependability. If an underprivileged person witnessed a crime, but they did not own land, their word was disregarded and could not be trusted. In contrast, landowners were viewed as having more validity behind their words,Show MoreRelatedThe Major Classical Theorists Influenced The Economics Of A Nation And It Would Make The Nation Better1277 Words   |  6 Pagesgroup of enslaved and free blacks, poor whites, and women because of class exploitation, and these three groups were oppressed by capitalism. Marxism asserts that class is the primary source of inequality (Franks, 30). Marxism was created in the writings of Karl Marx and his colleague Friedrich Engels during the middle the to late 1800s (Franks, 29). The history of Marxism is controversial, and the ideas have influenced a lot of men and women to address social issues. Karl Marx stated that theRead MoreThe Issue Of Income Inequality Essay1496 Words   |  6 PagesOne of the most deeply divisive issues in the United States is the question of income inequality: whether it exists and whether we are obliged to address it. The â€Å"American Dream† ideology which permeates most aspects of our daily life, influences an automatic response to income inequality to be that those at the bottom are not working hard enough and that those at the top have earned their wealth through hard work. 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Cultural studies were developed in the late 1950’s, through the 1970’s by the British academic scholars. The British scholars were able engaged cultural analysis and the developed then transformed of the different fields, for example, politically, theoretically and empiricallyRead MoreFood Choices Of College Life And Time Affect Eating Habits1188 Words   |  5 Pagesbalance busy lives and have limited income, so money and time often are critical when deciding what to eat. The main concepts of my research question have to do with what causes people to eat healthily or unhealthily. The point is to try to understand what influe nces people’s eating habits, primarily how social class and time influence eating habits. Healthy food is often much more expensive than unhealthy alternatives. Social inequality affects many different aspects of people’s lives. I am tryingRead MoreClass Is An Integral Part Of All Societies1711 Words   |  7 PagesDivision has become an integral part of all societies. 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Langston Hughes And Bob Dylan Essay Example For Students

Langston Hughes And Bob Dylan Essay Literature and Composition IILangston Hughes and Bob DylanLangston Hughes and Bob Dylan are two poets from different eras in modern American poetry. Although Bob Dylan is more characterized as a songwriter, I see much of his work as poetry. In this essay, I will discuss Hughes poem Harlem 1 and Dylans Times They Are A-Changin as commentaries on are culture, but from different backgrounds. Both poets use social protest to make their points. Langston is talking of times that were not particularly good in any way for African Americans. In the poem Harlem 1, he speaks of a time when black people were considered lower than the average American citizen. He remembers how they were not accepted when he was younger; and for him and his race, he feels things havent changed; and even if they had, how could the past be forgotten or forgiven?Sure, we remember. Now when the man at the corner storeSays sugars gone up another two cents. And bread one, And theres a new tax on cigarettes-We remember the job we never had,Never could get,And cant have nowBecause were colored. (768) In this verse of the poem he is talking about how African Americans have viewed the world from Harlem and live and unjust life, how can they forget that. Bob Dylan speaks of social protest throughout his poem. He is proclaiming to the world that we shall all come together and forget the past for a united future. He is saying that everything that has been normal is about to change. Come gather round people Wherever you roamAnd admit that the watersAround you have grownAnd accept it that soonYoull be drenched to the bone. If your time to you Is worth savinThen you better start swimminOr youll sink like a stoneFor the times they are a chagin. (711)A difference in the two poets definitely comes into play when we look at of the speakers in these poems. Hughes persona is that of a black male looking back on how the black race was treated badly, but he is expressing the beauty in their struggle. Hughes talks about why black Americans should achieve their goals, On the Cultural Achievements of African AmericansThere is so much richness in Negro humor, so much beauty in black dreams, so much dignity in our struggle, and so much universality in our problems, in us-in each living human being of color-that I do not understand the tendency today that some American Negro artists have of seeking to run away from themselves, of running away from us, of being afraid to sing our own songs, paint our own pictures, write about our selves-when it is our music that has given America is greatest music out humor that has e nriched its entertainment media for the past 100 years, out rhythm that has guided its dancing feet From plantation days to the CharlestonYet there are some of us who say, Why write about Negroes? Why not just a writer? And why not-if no one wants to be just a writer? Negroes in a free world should be whatever each wants to be-even if it means being just a writer (Hughes, 773)On the other hand, Dylans young white male speaker states that the youth of America is changing socially and warning adults to join in or get out of the way. Come mother and father Throughout the land And dont criticize What you cant understand Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your demand Your old is Rapidly agin Please get out of the new one If you cant lend your hand For the times they are a changin (711)The speaker has a strong sense of unity for the human race to move ahead in the world. Ginsberg stated about this album, Now hes going deeper into an exploration of American roots, which is interesting particularly for one who hasnt been doing that (3). He was saying that in that point of Dylans life he has taken more of an attention to country pride. .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 , .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 .postImageUrl , .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 , .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2:hover , .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2:visited , .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2:active { border:0!important; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2:active , .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2 .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u77b12e757b29cd953bca5499118fbda2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Julius Ceasar: Overview EssayBoth poems are told from the first person point of view, and speak of personal feelings, yet Dylan uses rhyme, and Hughes uses free verse. Perhaps, Dylan rhymes for the sole purpose of melody. The biggest difference that I see between these two poets is the time eras and their ages. For Hughes it was the year 1949 when he wrote this poem at the age of 47. He was old enough to make a safe judgement call that not much more could improve for his race in his own lifetime, and if it did, it could not change the fact that for most of his life he couldnt feel equal to the white race. Dylan was 29 when he wrote his poem in 1979. When you compare 1949 t o 1979, incredible differences and obstacles have been hurdled. In 1979, black Americans were equal, not separate but equal. I think Hughes might have taken the same view as Dylan if he were alive then. Also Dylan, at 29 and having his life not even half over, gave him more of a hopeful view on how America and Americans could become. Hughes was looking for more of a revenge on how his race was treated. So we stand here On the edge of hellIn Harlem And look out on the worldAnd wonderWhat are we gonna doIn the face of what We remember. (768)In conclusion these poets have both proved to be dedicated to changing our society, but in opposite ways. Hughes takes the angry resentful view and Dylan takes the reconstructing positive one. The individual styles work for these remarkable artists.Words/ Pages : 994 / 24

Improving Customer Service Essay Example

Improving Customer Service Essay An additional method in which Disneyland Paris helps to maintain high levels of customers is by focusing of queues is by providing customers who have not purchased a fast pass with entertainment, therefore making the queuing part of the Disneyland experience. Disneyland Paris also has to maintain the good corporate image of the Disneyland Company as a whole; Disneyland is known for charm in its welcome, efficiency and cleanliness. These standards are being followed by Disneyland Paris. Part of the Disneyland image also comes from communication systems; all cast members are encouraged to communicate with customers whenever possible. Each special customer group has a team, which deals directly with their needs, for example, groups, conventions, school parties, special needs, etc. All cast members are trained to communicate with positive body language and with a smile on their face or in terms of the telephone with their voice. This will help customers feel welcomed and comfortable around cast members, thus, increase customer satisfaction and in turn the high quality of customer service will be maintained. As all cast members are trained to a high standard, they are also all given a handbook on all aspects of the complex, so any cast member should be able to give sales assistance and advice. It is important in customer care that consideration is given to all budgets. At both shops and restaurants you will find a wide variation in prices to meet every pocket. We will write a custom essay sample on Improving Customer Service specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Improving Customer Service specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Improving Customer Service specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This will help to increase and maintain Disneylands high level of customer service as it will give customers a wide variety of quality and prices to choose from which in turn, will make customers feel valued and have all their needs catered for, this consequently, will increase customer satisfaction. The analysis of customer service quality is of major importance to Disneyland Paris. Therefore, each year Disneyland creates a full appraisal which involves all aspects of the organisation. Disneyland Paris is a labour intensive organisation and therefore assessment of employees is a major part of any appraisal but equally important are aspects such as VFM, maintaining safety, and maintaining the magic. This would consequently be important when maintaining a high standard of customer service as if cast members knew what they had achieved and been given goals and targets to achieve they would be better motivated and in turn would provide a high level of customer service as they would have some purpose at Disneyland. In personnel terms points to consider would be reliability of service, consistency of service, staffing levels, provision for individual and special needs and qualities of the staff. Customer care is therefore at forefront of all the operations of Disneyland Paris, from th e development of new attractions and services to the individual attention to detail and specific adaptations and facilities for guests with special needs. It would also be vital to the success of Disneyland Paris that they monitor the high quality of customer service they provide. In order to achieve this Disneyland carries out a number of methods to monitor customer service. The first an only method in which Disneyland Paris can monitor customer service is by; gathering information from customers about the level of customer service in which had been provided. In order to achieve this and gain this vital information they ask customers to fill out a short questionnaire at the end of their holiday to evaluate their stay in the Disneyland Resort. From this information Disneyland Paris can evaluate what customers on a whole feel and identify areas which they need to improve and which areas they need to maintain. This will successfully monitor the level of customer service provided and help to increase and maintain a high standard of customer service. Improving Customer Service After analysing this information about how Disneyland Paris monitor and maintain customer service I have concluded some possible suggestions as to how the current procedures can be changed or altered. Firstly, I have identified that Disneyland Paris could improve the customer service through providing high achieving staff with either bonuses to pay or a range of fringe benefits. These fringe benefits may include a good pension plan or reduced health care. I have identified that as Disneyland are short of money, these are fairly low cost bonuses for cast members to receive, however, these bonuses will help to increase the motivation of cast members as they will feel like a valued member of the team and will generate high satisfaction once these goals and targets have been met, thus, providing and maintaining the high standard of customer service Disneyland offers. I have also identified that Disneyland could implement a new method of monitoring the level of customer service provided in and around the Disneyland Resort. I believe that Disneyland should introduce regular staff meetings in order to discus how cast members feel the level of customer service could potentially be hindered and set in place methods to ensure these problems do not arise and affect the level of customer service which Disneyland provide. This would be the case as cast members who do the job day-in day-out would be able to spot things which managers higher up may not spot. This would also lead to cast members feeling more valued as they are helping the success of Disneyland Paris as a company not just working for them. As cast members would feel more valued this would lead to an increase in motivated for cast members and in turn would lead to an increase in customer service, thus, maintaining the level of customer service.