PAPER ONE ASSIGNMENT SHEET

Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales

Due dates:

M 9.26 Complete, typed draft + copies for peer review/discussion

M 10.3 Final, finished paper in folder with all back up materials

Length expectation: 4-6 pages, double-spaced, 10- or 12 point font

Assignment:

Choose one of the following topics (or propose an alternative topic to your tutor), and write a thoughtful, well-considered, and well-developed response to it.

*NOTE: For any question you answer, you will need to broaden your thinking beyond the original text by reading some additional critical notes, essays, and/or articles. See instructions under “Requirements” below.

1. Think about the reasons why The Canterbury Tales have endured for over 600 years. How and to what extent do the Tales support the notion that the human condition is immutable and unchanging?

2. Focus on one pilgrim and write a character analysis by explaining how his/her Tale fits that Teller. Consider what you learned about that Teller in the General Prologue, any headlinks referring to him/her, the Tale’s prologue, words about that Teller by Chaucer, the Host, or other pilgrims. Also consider the subject matter, the language used, imagery and allusions used; the sex, age, and family circumstances of the teller; his/her profession, class status, and social standing, plus the Teller’s moral qualities, honesty, and authenticity.

3. Do a comparative analysis of any two characters (or pairs of characters). How are they similar and different from each other? Hint: Choose characters or pairs from similar groups.

4. Discuss Chaucer’s sense of sin and punishment by analyzing how one (or more) of the Seven Deadly Sins is treated in several of the Tales. Which sins seem the worst? In what ways are people punished for such sins (or not)?

5. Analyze what seems to be Chaucer’s view of religion (or religious clerics).

6. Several of the Tales demonstrate that people are not always what they seem to be (or even should be!). Analyze and explain the faces of hypocrisy in the Tales.

7. Analyze the “marriage group” to determine what seems to be Chaucer’s view of marriage and/or the relations between husbands and wives.

8. Defend or counter the notion that Chaucer seems to like women. How are women, by and large, treated in the Tales?

9. Some critics say that the Wife of Bath is an ardent feminist, in that she defends the role of women, of female sexuality, of a woman’s desire for independence. Others say that, in fact, she is antifeminist, in that she is manipulative, a shrew, and ultimately finds happiness only through trumping her man. Which perspective is correct? (Or is your assessment of her somewhere in between?)

Requirements:

1. An interesting title. “Chaucer” is not interesting.

2. An opening paragraph (or two) that identifies the title and author of the book, introduces your subject, identifies the tale(s) you’re working with, and leads smoothly to your thesis (located at the end of your introduction).

3. A clear and useful thesis that makes a central claim or assertion about your topic, and which will be the unifying principle of your paper.

4. Body paragraphs that remain unified around a clear point or idea, usually stated as your topic sentence.

5. Body paragraphs that are amply developed with analysis, explanation, and commentary of the topic.

6. Body paragraphs that are supported with several pieces of specific information—in this case, text quotations—as “evidence” of your point.

7. Correct quotation strategies, including a signal phrase before each quotation [such as: The Narrator says, “XXXX” (82).] You should also include one or more sentences following the quote to link or connect it to your point. (In other words, HOW does the quote illustrate your idea?)

8. A final paragraph that concludes your essay by returning to your central idea and closing your paper gracefully.

9. A WORKS CITED page at the very end to indicate the sources used in your paper.

10. Sentences that have each been carefully constructed to be clear, logical, and make good sense.

11. Sentences that have each been proofread and checked for grammar and mechanics, including sentence fragments and run-ons, placement of punctuation, and verb tense.

12. Your paper should demonstrate the logic, consideration, and maturity expected at the college level.

13. Remember, plagiarism—whether intentional or not—is a serious offense in any college class. If you’re not sure what constitutes plagiarism, be sure to consult with your tutor.

*As noted above, this assignment requires you to include and refer to at least 3 outside sources in your paper. Below is a list of acceptable sources for you to consult. If you find other sources of interest, be sure to speak with your tutor about them before you include them in your paper.

1. Use any of the sources referred to on the ISLS website:

http://online.chabotcollege.edu/shildreth/isls/2005program/chaucer.html

2. The Harvard Chaucer pages, at:
The Geoffrey Chaucer Page. Harvard University. http://icg.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/cantales.html

3. The Classic Text: Geoffrey Chaucer, at:

Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/Library/special/exhibits/clastext/clspg073.htm