A Companion to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales [Hardcover]

Margaret Hallissy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313291896 | ISBN-13: 978-0313291890 | Publication Date: October 30, 1995 | Edition: annotated edition

This do-it-yourself course for the first-time Chaucer reader is geared specifically to high school and undergraduate students because it systematically proceeds through a clear explication of each tale and makes the tales accessible to those unfamiliar with Chaucer's work. Reading this book along with Canterbury Tales, tale by tale, will help the reader to understand and appreciate each tale, Chaucer's world, and his language. This book differs from other guides to the tales because it takes the reader along on the pilgrimage through each tale and assumes no previous experience with Chaucer's work. Middle English and modern English paraphrases of passages from the tales are arranged together for the ease of the novice. Whether the reader is seeking assistance with a single tale or with the whole work, this companion provides a level of instruction appropriate for high school and college courses. In individual essays, Hallissy introduces the literary pilgrim to Chaucer the writer, his world, and his language. An explicatory essay is provided for the General Prologue and for each major tale--the Knight, the Miller, the Reeve, the Man of Law, the Wife of Bath, the Friar, the Summoner, the Clerk, the Merchant, the Franklin, the Physician, the Pardoner, the Shipman, the Prioress, the Nun's Priest, the Second Nun, the Canon's Yeoman, and the Manciple. Six lesser-read tales are treated in an appendix. The tales are interpreted in terms of key patterns of medieval thought that Chaucer shared with his original audience. Hallissy's style is clear, readable, and jargon-free. Explications are thorough and consistent, and connections are drawn between the tales. Medieval visual images illuminate the text amd suggestions for further reading have been selected specifically for high school and undergraduate students. This work can be used as a reference volume for a reader interested in a single tale or for the entire Canterbury Tales and will be of great value to high school and college students reading Chaucer's work for the first time, as well as to high school teachers preparing for classes.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA?This readable presentation of the often bawdy and lusty tales is designed specifically for first-time readers. It is indeed a companion and makes YAs feel the tremendous sweep of this pilgrimage across England with this motley crew comprised of knights, clergymen and women, scholars, tradespeople, laborers, and peasants. In addition, it provides students with simple interpretations and amplifications and makes their journey through this great unfinished work enjoyable and rewarding. Particularly helpful are the opening sections on Chaucer's world and language. There are essays of explanation as well on each of the major tales. Medieval ways of thought, religion, dress, and behavior are dealt with for the various levels of society and these facets are related to the structure of the pilgrimage. Portions of the text are set forth with translation into contemporary English. The appendixes cover six of the less-revered selections and also discuss the importance of the links between the tales and the unifying force of the character Harry Bailly, who leaves his inn to join the pilgrimage.?Frances Reiher, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Imagining her book as a "do-it-yourself course" on Chaucer, Hallissy writes for the first-time reader unfamiliar with Chaucer's work or with medieval studies. Hallissy's discussions are guided less by the "first-time reader" than by the reality of the modern reader who is no longer culturally literate in the constellation of terms, motifs, values, and genres that constitute the framework of medieval society and culture. Hallissy writes with a simple, jargon-free clarity accessible to high school students as well as college undergraduates. Highly recommended for public high school, and undergraduate libraries.”–Choice

“This readable presentation of the often bawdy and lusty tales is designed specifically for first-time readers. It is indeed a companion and makes YAs feel the trmendous sweep of this pilgrimage across England with this motley crew comprised of knights, clergymen and women, scholars, tradespeople, laborers, and peasants. In addition, it provides students with simple interpretations and amplifications and makes their journey through this great unfinished work enjoyable and rewarding. Particularly helpful are the opening sections on Chaucer's world and language.”–School Library Journal

“Readers, both novice and veteran bound for Cantebury, will find Hallissy's text a pleasant, enlightening road map. Hallissy;s thoroughness covers each character, each tale, fragmentary tales, and Chaucer's retraction. This engaging volume could interest English Literature teachers who want additional background, students doing independent study on Chaucer, and general readers who long to travel with a classic to Cantebury.”–VOYA

“A wonderfully lucid guide for the first-time reader, to accompany a reading of Chaucer either in the original Middle English or in translation. The guide is best used in the manner of a college course, read along with The Canterbury Tales, tale by tale.”–Reference & Research Book News

“[Hallisy's] explanation of Chaucer's world and language make for excellent introduction to the major medieval writer in English. Of special interest to the high school teacher in particular is the superb capsule analysis given of each pilgrim...Highly recommended for high school, undergraduate, and all public libraries.”–Reference Book Review

“[T]his well-written readable volume would be useful for high-school or college students making their way through the tales for the first time. Hallisssy provides a thorough discussion, helpful background information, and an annotated bibliography for each tale....a useful and informative book for novices who want to get to the heart of the tales...”–Catholic Library World

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press; annotated edition edition (October 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313291896
• ISBN-13: 978-0313291890
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,175,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for Understanding Chaucer, January 1, 2007

By 

Robert "A life-long reader that learns most t... (Midwestern United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Companion to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (Hardcover)

The Canterbury Tales are difficult to understand, because of the language and because of the social context. The Companion dealt very well with both of these -- So much so, that I would consider this book to be absolutely essential for Chaucer. The Tales are a bit bawdy, and the Companion did not flinch at explaining this.

For studying Chaucer, I had the following:
The Canterbury Tales (Penguin Classics) by Geoffrey Chaucer and Nevill Coghill
The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer by F. N. Robinson
The Canterbury Tales [UNABRIDGED] (Audio CD)-- Michael Murphy ISBN 1402548931

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential tool for research on Canterbury Tales, February 6, 2009

By 

Librarian in Pennsylvania "Kathy" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Companion to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (Hardcover)

This is an essential tool for research papers on the Canterbury Tales. If your high school library has a copy - be sure to keep it under lock and key. Our copy has been stolen many times over. It's a shame the title is currently out of print. Greenwood Publishers have other good titles on CT available in E-Book format.