Examines pilgrims as individuals, satirical tools, symbols of vice & virtue, focusing on ‘Reeve’s Tale’ & ‘Franklin’s Tale.’
The only three women to make an appearance in the book are the Wife of Bath, The Prioress and her companion The Nun. While the Nun is a smaller character, which occupies an insignificant place in the book, the two other women manage to attract readers’ interest because of their contrasting personalities and their conflicting beliefs and values. But while on the surface their views differ strikingly, somewhere deep down, both females are wrestling with some moral issues. The only difference is that Wife of Bath acknowledges those problems and has set her mind on defying society while the Prioress wants to conform to societal norms and fails to see the moral problems bothering her.