For Wednesday: "The Miller's Tale"

No questions this time around, though I will give everyone an in-class writing response to some aspect of "The Miller's Tale." Here are some things to consider when reading this poem...

* Why does the Miller get offended or disturbed enough to break the social order and tell the next story? Even the Host says he should wait his turn...

* How might some elements of "The Miller's Tale" be seen as a literal response to "The Knight's Tale"? Is it a satire or a lampoon? 

* What role does Alison play in the tale? How might she compare with the docile and dispirited Emily from the previous tale?

* Why do you think Chaucer wrote such vulgar elements and suggestions into his story considering his audience? Would they have approved of such language?

* How does Chaucer prepare the reader/his audience for this tale? His serious or disingenuous is he being?

* Who gets satirized the most in this tale: the Carpenter, Nicholas, Absalom, or Alison? Or perhaps the Miller himself?