In "The Canterbury Tales" Chaucer uses the pilgrimage primarily as a device to ___________.
A.emphasize the characters' religious aspirations
B.frame the stories told by individual characters
C.describe the rigors of medieval life
D.create a vivid and realistic setting
B,C and D all seem like they could be the answer! But I'm thinking from a literary stand point, B makes the most sense. The help is so appreciated :)
I agree that B is best.
Thanks :)
You're welcome.
You're on the right track! To determine the primary purpose of Chaucer using the pilgrimage in "The Canterbury Tales," you can analyze the various options.
A. To emphasize the characters' religious aspirations: While religion plays a role in the characters' motivations for the pilgrimage, it is not the main focus or purpose of Chaucer's use of the pilgrimage device.
B. To frame the stories told by individual characters: This option implies that Chaucer uses the pilgrimage as a literary device to structure and narrate the multitude of stories told by the individual characters. This is considered the primary purpose because the entire work is structured around these tales.
C. To describe the rigors of medieval life: While the pilgrimage does provide a setting that allows Chaucer to depict certain aspects of medieval life, it is not the primary purpose. Other elements, such as the tales themselves, serve this purpose more directly.
D. To create a vivid and realistic setting: The pilgrimage does indeed establish a setting that is both vivid and realistic, showcasing the medieval society and social dynamics. However, this is not the primary intention.
Given these options, B, "to frame the stories told by individual characters," is the most fitting answer. The pilgrimage provides the structure and context within which the tales are told and serves as the narrative framework for the entire work.