s". [2021, 2019] ✪✪✪
Or, Write an essay on Chaucer's narrative art with special reference to "The General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales'. [2017]
Narrative art means the skill of telling a story in a lively and interesting way. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340–1400) is one of the greatest storytellers in English literature. He is called “the Father of English Poetry.” His “General Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales shows his powerful narrative art. He does not simply describe events. He makes them alive with colour, humour, and truth. His style is simple, his tone gentle, and his pictures unforgettable.
The Frame Story – A Journey as a Narrative Device: Chaucer begins with a journey to Canterbury. Thirty pilgrims meet at the Tabard Inn in Southwark. They decide to travel together. They tell stories to pass the time. Chaucer himself joins them. This idea of a pilgrimage gives the poet a chance to bring together people of all classes- knight, monk, merchant, wife, and ploughman. It makes the poem like a “mirror of life.” Through this simple frame, Chaucer unites variety, movement, and conversation. It is one of the earliest and most natural narrative structures in English literature.
Realistic and Vivid Character: Chaucer’s narrative power shines most in his portraits of pilgrims. He gives each pilgrim a lively introduction. He shows their clothes, habits, and speech to show who they are. For example, the Knight is noble and humble. He has fought 15 mortal battles. Chaucer says,
“At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene.”
(He had been at fifteen mortal battles.)
The Prioress is polite but worldly. She weeps if she sees a mouse in a trap. Chaucer says,
“She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mouse
Kaught in a trappe.”
(She would weep, if she saw a mouse
Caught in a trap.)
The Wife of Bath is bold and talkative. Chaucer says about her knowledge of romantic matters in such a way,
“Of remedies of love she knew per chaunce.”
(She knew, as it happened, about remedies for love.)
Each character seems to move and speak like a real person. This makes Chaucer not only a poet but also a born storyteller and painter of life.
Use of Humour and Satire: Chaucer’s humour is gentle, not cruel. He laughs at human weakness but never hates anyone. He shows both good and bad sides with a smile. The Monk loves hunting instead of praying. The Friar knows the taverns better than the church. Chaucer writes humorously:
“He knew the tavernes wel in every toun.”
(He knew the taverns well in every town.)
Through such lines, he criticizes corruption but keeps the tone soft. This mixture of fun and truth gives life to his storytelling.
The Poet as a Narrator and Observer: Chaucer appears in the story as one of the pilgrims. He speaks in a friendly and curious tone. He observes each character with interest and love. He never judges harshly. He writes as if talking to a friend, saying,
“Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun
To telle yow al the condicioun.”
(It seems to me in accord with reason
To tell you all the circumstances.)
This personal, conversational tone makes the narrative warm and natural. It feels like a story being told at an inn, not a formal poem.
Variety of Tone and Style: Chaucer’s narrative art is full of variety. Sometimes he is serious, sometimes funny. Sometimes he praises, sometimes he mocks gently. He can move easily from the nobility of the Knight to the vulgar talk of the Miller. His language changes with each pilgrim. This skill shows his deep understanding of human nature and social life.
Realism and Humanism: Chaucer’s pilgrims come from all walks of life. They are nobles, clergy, merchants, and workers. They eat, laugh, argue, and love like real people. He observes them with sympathy and truth. He gives English literature its first realistic social picture.
Chaucer’s “The General Prologue” is a masterpiece of narrative art. His story is simple but full of life. His characters speak like real people. His humour is kind, his observation sharp, and his tone full of humanity. Through this work, Chaucer proves himself a great poet, a true realist, and the first great storyteller in English literature.