Chaucer and the Art of Storytelling

Leonard Michael Koff

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN:
  9780520339217
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9780520339224
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Literary Criticism
• Index: Literature

Uncover the intricate artistry behind Geoffrey Chaucer's storytelling in this compelling study that redefines our understanding of his narratives and their profound social and moral dimensions. This book offers a fresh perspective on Chaucer's role as a storyteller, emphasizing his dedication to the collective wisdom of "olde bokes" and the communal experience of reading. Through a blend of historical and theoretical exploration, alongside close readings of The Canterbury Tales, it reveals how Chaucer's narratives create a shared space for reflection, blending medieval traditions with universal themes. By exploring concepts like "parabolic listening" and the moral implications of storytelling, the book connects Chaucer's tales to their historical roots while showcasing their enduring relevance. Challenging long-held assumptions, Chaucer and the Art of Storytelling argues that Chaucer's works are not cryptic puzzles but accessible narratives designed to inspire collective understanding and individual self-awareness. Through in-depth analyses of tales like the Merchant's Tale, the Wife of Bath's Tale, and the Parson's Tale, the book illustrates Chaucer's ability to balance humor, morality, and social commentary. A must-read for anyone interested in medieval literature, this study illuminates Chaucer's narratives as living texts that connect readers across time, offering both historical insight and a celebration of the timeless art of storytelling. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1988.

Many titles in the Voices Revived program are also newly available as ebooks, offered at a discounted price to support wider access to scholarly work.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Chapter One Irony, Declamation, and Chaucer’s Presence in His Own Work
• Chapter Two Medieval Storytelling
• Chapter Three Chaucer’s Circle of Understanding
• Chapter Four Who Speaks for the Wife of Bath?
• Chapter Five Voices and Books
• Chapter Six Franklins, Nuns, and Jews
• Chapter Seven Chaucerian “Leave-Taking”
• Abbreviations
• Notes
• Index