Chaucer and the Humor of the Canterbury Tales :: essays research papers

My presentation is based an article titled The Inhibited and the Uninhibited Ironic Structure in the moth millers Tale it s written by Earle Birney. The literary theme that Birney is discussing in his essay is structural irony. Structural irony is basically a serial publication of ironic events and instances that finally build up to create a climax. The events and the climax the Birney chooses to focus his essay on are the events that lead towards the end when almost severally character suffers an ironic eventAbsolon kisses Alisouns backsideNicholas gets his backside burnedJohn falls from the tub and breaks his armIronic events and play on course were used to lead to this ironic climax.First EventBirney writes that the description of each character as pleasantness or using the word sweet to delimit them on Chaucers part is ironic.Nicholas sweet singer, sweet smelling of herbs all day & Being uninhibited. l. 97, l. 99., l. 107 Birney p. 76 middleAlisoun naturally sweet as founta inhead as Nicholas, her mouth is described as sweet. l. 153 Birney p. 78 top.Absolon is a contrast, he is artificially sweet, he chews spices an herbs to try to be sweet. Birney p. 79 lower. These three descriptions are the setoff things in Birneys article that are beginning the ironic structure that Chaucer has carefully built. Second EventNext, Birney examines the irony between the rivalry of Nicholas and Absolon in nightspot to gain Alisouns kiss, affection, or to pass water an affair with her.Nicholas has no rivals in a way he just becomes forceful and persistant he offers himself in an ravening manner and he gains her permission to do what he pleases to her body. l. 165-186, Birney p. 78 (before the quote).Absolon approaches her by going to her window at night and serenading her mind you he does not have a sweet voice (sqeaky, feminine) his approach is the most pathetic and apologetic Then he tries to woo her by giving her gifts such as waffles and sweet wine Birney argues that he should not have tried to give sweet gifts to someone who is naturally sweet. l. 245- 259, l. 270 272, Birney p. 79 lower 80 top & 80 middle. ternion Event The ClimaxFinnaly, the third event has been unraveled and anticipated, through The two first events. The greatly anticipated climax begins to unravel. Absolon kisses Alisouns rear end and the vengefully ruin Nicholas instead of Alisoun (he dosent really care).