In the General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer follows the tradition of medieval estate satire to portray the characters. Following the tradition, Chaucer both relies on and exploits the medieval social and hierarchal stereotypes. In order to achieve the purpose of estates satire, Chaucer offers an ideal example of each estate andContinue Reading
Primarily, there are two women characters introduced in the General Prologue of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales: the Prioress and the Wife of Bath. Critics have often categorized both of them as “misfits” – women unfit for the role they represent. This is obvious, considering the fact that the GeneralContinue Reading
Although the genre of the Canterbury Tales as a whole is a “frame narrative,” the General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales is an example of “Estates Satire,” a genre which satirizes the abuses that occur within the three traditional Estates into which medieval feudal society was traditionally divided. Referring to the hierarchal structure of the medieval society, theContinue Reading
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343–1400) was an English poet, author, and diplomat, often called the “Father of English Literature.” He is best known for The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury. Written in Middle English, it showcased Chaucer’s skill in character development,Continue Reading
The development of Jane Eyre’s character is central to Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre. The novel charts the growth of Jane, the first-person narrator, from her unhappy childhood with her nasty relatives, the Reeds, to her blissful marriage to Rochester at Ferndean. Reading, education, and creativity are all essential componentsContinue Reading
The Full Text of “Kubla Khan” Or, a vision in a dream. A Fragment. 1 In Xanadu did Kubla Khan 2 A stately pleasure-dome decree: 3 Where Alph, the sacred river, ran 4 Through caverns measureless to man 5 Down to a sunless sea. 6 So twice fiveContinue Reading
Coleridge’s legacy endures through his poetic innovations and philosophical insights. His ability to blend supernatural elements with deep psychological and philosophical themes set him apart as one of the most original voices of English Romanticism.Continue Reading
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is one of the greatest luminaries in the literary firmament of India and Bengal. He was a novelist, poet, Essayist and journalist. He was the author of Vande (or Bande) Mataram, which inspired the freedom fighters of India, and was later declared the National Song of India.Continue Reading
Robert Browning (1812–1889) was a renowned English poet and playwright, best known for his mastery of dramatic monologue and his deep psychological insight. He was one of the most significant poets of the Victorian era, celebrated for his intellectual rigor, character exploration, and innovative verse forms. Browning was born inContinue Reading
Although Jane Eyre contains a number of sharp criticisms of the treatment of women and the social roles assigned to them, it also demonstrates that women can live their lives on equal terms with – or independent of – men. Jane herself is the idealized version of Charlotte Bronte’s visionContinue Reading
