O'Connell's Advanced Placement Literature and Composition class's blog about The Canterbury Tales. Bedford High School, Bedford, NH.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Miller's Tale Discussion Question #2
Note the physicality in the depiction of Alison. How is she described? What type of imagery is used? Does Chaucer seem sympathetic to her unhappiness with her husband? Why or why not?
I agree with this, because of such lines as "her body was as graceful and as slim as a weasel's" as well as "she was softer to touch than the wool of a sheep". These quotes and use of simile and juxtaposition help create this animal-like image of her. This makes Allison appear more as a physical object of desire rather than a human being with emotions.
I agree with both Harrisons. Her description is crude and unflattering. She is described as beautiful but with an over emphasis on her animalistic attributes and her sexuality. I believe Chaucer uses this to explain why all these men would be fighting over her like animals
We can see some of his imagery and attitude when he says "Her body was as graceful and slim as a weasels"(48). He also says "Her mouth was as sweet as drinks made from honey, or as hoard of apples laid away..."(75-76).
She is described as a beautiful, flighty young girl. Chaucer seems unsympathetic to her unhappiness with her husband, and he brushes it off as her just being a free spirit.
Also, all of the imagery used intended to be vibrant and positive. I think that it really helps Chaucer to prove Alison's innocence through out the whole scandal. She is immediately described as wild, creating an excuse for her actions.
I agree. This description of Alison represents the fact that Chaucer does feel sympathetic towards her and her unhappiness in her marriage. He does not portray her to be this horrible woman who cheats on her husband, instead he makes it seem like it is okay that she does because she is not happy with her husband.
Chaucer uses a lot of similes to describe Allison such as "skittish as a colt," "eyebrows were black as a sloe." He seems sympathetic at first then unsympathetic when her husband is tricked.
Chaucer portrays Alison as a pretty, young woman who unintentionally attracts many men in the town. The imagery used in this portrayal compliments her appearance, which make the readers sense innocence within herself. Therefore, Chaucer seems sympathetic to Alison's unhappiness with her husband until later on when she cheats on him and when we see a different side to her.
I agree that later on she is less innocent and readers feel less sympathetic, however, I do not think that she is necessarily innocent in the beginning of the description.
Alison is describes using her beauty and physical appearance, making her seem somewhat an object. I feel as though the focus is primarily of her appearance and how that attracts many other men, which is the basis of the story, in which three different men submit to her attractiveness and fight over her.
Chaucer describes Alison in a way where he reveals he is unsympathetic to her since she draws so many other men to her, and cheats on her husband. He feels sympathetic only in the matter men should marry their own age. He uses imagery to describe her as a young lady with a gracefully slim body. He acts as an admirer to Alison's appearance. .
Alison is described as an animal
ReplyDeleteI agree with this, because of such lines as "her body was as graceful and as slim as a weasel's" as well as "she was softer to touch than the wool of a sheep". These quotes and use of simile and juxtaposition help create this animal-like image of her. This makes Allison appear more as a physical object of desire rather than a human being with emotions.
DeleteI agree with both Harrisons. Her description is crude and unflattering. She is described as beautiful but with an over emphasis on her animalistic attributes and her sexuality. I believe Chaucer uses this to explain why all these men would be fighting over her like animals
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of detailed imagery describing Alison's clothing and appearance.
ReplyDeleteAlison (not Allison Lovely) is described with a lot of nice imagery about how she looks. Chaucer seems to be sympathetic towards her unhappiness.
ReplyDeleteWe can see some of his imagery and attitude when he says "Her body was as graceful and slim as a weasels"(48). He also says "Her mouth was as sweet as drinks made from honey, or as hoard of apples laid away..."(75-76).
DeleteShe is described as a beautiful, flighty young girl. Chaucer seems unsympathetic to her unhappiness with her husband, and he brushes it off as her just being a free spirit.
ReplyDeleteAlso, all of the imagery used intended to be vibrant and positive. I think that it really helps Chaucer to prove Alison's innocence through out the whole scandal. She is immediately described as wild, creating an excuse for her actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree. This description of Alison represents the fact that Chaucer does feel sympathetic towards her and her unhappiness in her marriage. He does not portray her to be this horrible woman who cheats on her husband, instead he makes it seem like it is okay that she does because she is not happy with her husband.
DeleteChaucer uses a lot of similes to describe Allison such as "skittish as a colt," "eyebrows were black as a sloe." He seems sympathetic at first then unsympathetic when her husband is tricked.
ReplyDeleteChaucer portrays Alison as a pretty, young woman who unintentionally attracts many men in the town. The imagery used in this portrayal compliments her appearance, which make the readers sense innocence within herself. Therefore, Chaucer seems sympathetic to Alison's unhappiness with her husband until later on when she cheats on him and when we see a different side to her.
ReplyDeleteI agree that later on she is less innocent and readers feel less sympathetic, however, I do not think that she is necessarily innocent in the beginning of the description.
DeleteAlison is describes using her beauty and physical appearance, making her seem somewhat an object. I feel as though the focus is primarily of her appearance and how that attracts many other men, which is the basis of the story, in which three different men submit to her attractiveness and fight over her.
ReplyDeleteChaucer describes Alison in a way where he reveals he is unsympathetic to her since she draws so many other men to her, and cheats on her husband. He feels sympathetic only in the matter men should marry their own age. He uses imagery to describe her as a young lady with a gracefully slim body. He acts as an admirer to Alison's appearance. .
ReplyDelete