Canterbury Tales and the Good Society

Author/Editor
Olson, Paul A.

Title
Canterbury Tales and the Good Society

Published
Olson, Paul A.. "Canterbury Tales and the Good Society." Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1986

Review
Chaucer's poetry is pervaded by his deep concerns for contemporary political and social issues; he is dismayed by the materialism and loss of spiritual values of his contemporaries; and he hopes through his writing to bring about a transformation in the commonwealth. The themes are familiar, but Olson is writing about Chaucer, not about Gower; and though Gower is cited only peripherally, the subtlety and clarity of Olson's argument may prompt a renewed look at what has become one of the chestnuts of Gower criticism. [PN. Copyright The John Gower Society: JGN 6.1]

Date
1986

Gower Subjects
Backgrounds and General Criticism