D.S. Brewer, "Class Distinction in Chaucer"

Brewer, D. S. “Class Distinction in Chaucer.” Speculum, Vol. 43, No. 2. (Apr., 1968), pp. 290-305

Brewer examines the social structures present in The Canterbury Tales, contending that there are in fact three distinctive class systems based on; “rank,” which is apparently divinely ordained, requires wealth, and classifies a social standing that ranges from high (king) to low (peasant); a binary system of the titled versus the untitled (and a conceptual “gentilesse” which allows a person to surpass his or her rank through qualities of character); and finally a three-fold categorization that distinguishes between knight, clergy and plowman. Brewer provides clarifying insights into the social mindset of the time period in which social status was almost – but not completely – fixed: through personal choices and behaviors a person could both fall from and climb the social “ladder.” Brewer concludes that social structure plays a critical role in The Canterbury Tales, and for that reason it ought to be explored more thoroughly. It is regrettable that the article itself does not do this more thorough exploration.

– Available on JSTOR
Lisa Goetz