My students are analyzing lines from the general prologue of "The Canterbury Tales." What I learned today is that students are so accustomed to reading texts literally that it is difficult for them to perceive irony and the masterful sarcasm written by Geoffrey Chaucer, who I like to refer to as my boyfriend (I checked with my husband, and he doesn't mind). One of the reasons for my love of Chaucer is that he can insult people to their faces and they will not even be aware that a back-handed compliment has even been delivered. He is the expert of euphemistic speaking and my idol!
However, his wit is lost to many of the students until they read, reread, and consider--sometimes with some guiding questions--what the actual intentions in his statements are. At first the process frustrates the kids, but once they discover Chaucer's between-the-lines meanings, they understand him, and I think they are growing toward appreciation, maybe even admiration????
No comments:
Post a Comment