Catholic Church Description Of Chaucer Essays - The Canterbury Tales

Catholic Church Description Of Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer uses some of the characters in the Canterbury Tales The Prologue in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales to point out his view of what was right and wrong within the Church during his time. He uses the Prioress, Monk, Friar, Summoner, and Pardoner to illustrate what he saw wrong within the Church. Chaucer uses the Clerk, Parson and the Plowman to illustrate the attributes the Church should possess. The Prioress is a nun who is probably equal to the rank of Mother Superior. She does not show the humility or dedication to God. Her compassion is shown towards animals. She makes sure her animals eat the best meats. She is more focused on natural love than agape love by the brooch she wears which says "Love conquers all". She does not spend her time fasting because the author lets us know that she is fat. In correlation to the Church, the Prioress shows the Church's lack of dedication and humility towards God. The Church is more concerned with matters which do not deal with the deliverance of the human soul. Like the Prioress, the Monk does not walk in his calling. He is the monastery's outrider. This position allows him to roam the countryside at his will. Instead of being separate from the world, he is of the world. He loves to hunt and enjoys riding his horse. He does not value the teachings of his monastery because he feels they are somewhat strict. The Monk does not like to study. "Why should he study, and drive himself mad, Over a book in a cloister always to pour, Or work with his hands, and labor, As St. Augustine bids? How shall the world be served? Let Augustine have his work to himself reserved (12-13)." Chaucer sees the Church through the Monk as being more involved in its own affairs. The Church has gotten away from the basic Bible teachings and has instituted its own. Huburt, the Friar, like the Prioress and Monk, is not operating within his vocation. He does not spend time with the poor ministering to their phsyical needs as well as their spiritual needs. The Friar believes that because of his status he couild not spend time with these needy people. "It was not fitting, considering his position, To be acquainted with sick lepers. It is not creditable, it holds no profit To deal with any such paupers" (16). He spends time begging for donations from the rich farmers and other worthy women of the town. For a price he will hear confessions and give penance. He believes that "... instead of weeping and prayers, Men should give silver to the poor friars" (15). This pilgram shows the Church being more concerned with the financial support for itself than the spiritual needs of the congregation. The Church has devised a way in which to collect money from it's members by promising them forgiveness with dollar signs attached to it. The Summoner is responsible for issuing summons for the Church to people who have violated Church doctrine. His position is interesting because he is handing out summons for people to appear before the Church when he himself is living in direct violation of Church doctrine. The Church seems to see what is wrong with everyone else but cannot focus on it's own violations of the doctrine taught in the Bible. The Pardoner is the most corrupt pilgram. He provides paper indulges for a price. These indulges are part of the scam the Pardoner is running. He also offers junk for sale which he says were relics of the saints. The Church has developed another mechanism for making money. It uses the selling of crosses, statues, and other trinkets which are supposed to remind us of what Christ has done for us. If these items were really to remind us of what Christ did for us they would be free, since Christ gave his life freely. The Clerk is the first pilgram Chaucer birngs into the script which has some godly attributes. He spends time in prayer and fasting because the narrator lets us know that he "...wasn't exactly fat, ..."(19) and "...busily prayed for souls" (20). He only spoke when it was necessary and when he did speak people listened to him. "And that was said with care and respect,... Resonant with moral virtue was his speech," (20). The Church lacks this characteristic based on the corruption which Chaucer points out in the pilgrams listed above. The Parson is the

Study Guide Questions for A Christmas Carol

Study Guide Questions for 'A Christmas Carol' A Christmas Carol is a famous Christmas novella by  Charles Dickens, one of the greatest authors in Victorian literature. While Dickens is usually known for his longer work this novella has remained popular since its publication. As the main character Scrooge is visited by the ghost of past, present and future he learns a valuable lesson about the meaning of Christmas and the cost of greed. The message of this show still rings true in this modern age which has helped make the story a Christmas classic. The novella has remained popular in English classes because of its strong moral message. Here are a few questions for study and discussion. What is important about the title? What are the conflicts in A Christmas Carol? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) did you notice in this novel? What message is Dickens sending about greed? Do you think this message is still relevant to modern society? Why or why not?   If Dickens were telling this story in modern times how do you think the story would change?   How does Charles Dickens reveal character in A Christmas Carol? What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters? What are some symbols in A Christmas Carol? How do they relate to the plot and characters? Are the characters consistent in their actions? Which of the characters are fully developed? How? Why? Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters persons you would want to meet? Does the novel end the way you expected? How? Why? Why do you think it was important for Scrooge to travel to the past, present and future of Christmas?   Why did Jacob Marleys ghost appear to Scrooge in chains? What were the chains meant to symbolize?   What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful? How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else? What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women? What is the role of Tiny Tim in the story?   How does Fezziwig differ from Scrooge? Whats his purpose in the story?   What elements of this novel appear to diverge from the earlier works of Charles Dickens? How effective are the supernatural elements of A Christmas Carol? Why do you think this story has remained so relevant over the years?   Where there any parts of the story you think did not stand the test of time?   Would you recommend this novel to a friend? Study Guide A Christmas Carol TextQuotesVocabulary / TermsCharles Dickens Biography