The Wife of Bath
10:35 PM Edit This 2 Comments »
Okay, that was a really hard read. I think the most redeeming quality about this piece was the outspokenness of the Wife of Bath. It made it much easier to understand the piece as a whole, in my opinion.
Anyway, I think the thing I found the most interesting about this piece was the way that the main character constantly flip-flopped on nearly every issue, particularly on her sources. For example, right from the start, she claims that experience will be her guide. She says that she's constantly criticized for her numerous marriages and that it is her experience from these very marriages that makes her an expert on marriage. However, later on in the story, she attempts to back up such statements with everything from biblical to scholarly facts. To me, this displays an entirely different attitude and personality than what she initially presented. At first, she seemed to be a very domineering person, who could easily fend for herself and didn't care what people thought of her. As the story goes along though, she takes on a much more defensive air, and it almost feels like she's trying to prove something.
Either way, the main issue I want to point out is that she goes from saying she doesn't need a reason for the things she says and does, to trying to supply her audience with a dozen reasons. I just found that odd.
Anyway, I think the thing I found the most interesting about this piece was the way that the main character constantly flip-flopped on nearly every issue, particularly on her sources. For example, right from the start, she claims that experience will be her guide. She says that she's constantly criticized for her numerous marriages and that it is her experience from these very marriages that makes her an expert on marriage. However, later on in the story, she attempts to back up such statements with everything from biblical to scholarly facts. To me, this displays an entirely different attitude and personality than what she initially presented. At first, she seemed to be a very domineering person, who could easily fend for herself and didn't care what people thought of her. As the story goes along though, she takes on a much more defensive air, and it almost feels like she's trying to prove something.
Either way, the main issue I want to point out is that she goes from saying she doesn't need a reason for the things she says and does, to trying to supply her audience with a dozen reasons. I just found that odd.
2 comments:
I only have one thing to say to this... just imagine being friends with her... YIKES!!!
PS- sorry for the no post. Im having internet issues and Im lucky I was able to comment. See you tomorrow
It's true that the WofB seems defensive, but given the treatment she has received at the hands of her fifth husband, she probably does feel the need to be wary of men and to defend herself and her desires.
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