Chaucer’s Sense of ClosurChaucer’s Sense of Closur

An dialogue of ending in An dialogue of ending in The The Canterbury Tales Canterbury Tales andand The The House of House of

Fame.Fame.

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales

““Unfinished but complete” - Don HowardUnfinished but complete” - Don Howard

““Finished but incomplete” – Gittes re-Finished but incomplete” – Gittes re-invents Howard’s famous line.invents Howard’s famous line.

Problems with Closure, part 1: Problems with Closure, part 1: The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales——

Fact 1Fact 1: the Pilgrims never reach : the Pilgrims never reach Canterbury.Canterbury. They’re right outside Canterbury when the Parson They’re right outside Canterbury when the Parson

begins his tale.begins his tale.

Some critics have argued for the significance of the Some critics have argued for the significance of the “one-way journey” and that Chaucer did not mean to “one-way journey” and that Chaucer did not mean to have them return (Howard).have them return (Howard).

Problems with Closure, part 1: Problems with Closure, part 1: The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales——

Fact 2Fact 2: The number of pilgrims and tales are not set in : The number of pilgrims and tales are not set in stonestone There are twenty-nine pilgrims mentioned in the General There are twenty-nine pilgrims mentioned in the General

Prologue, but “the mention of three priests (I.164) brings the Prologue, but “the mention of three priests (I.164) brings the total to thirty-one” (Gittes 166)total to thirty-one” (Gittes 166)

The number of pilgrims is variable (could go on indefinitely) if the The number of pilgrims is variable (could go on indefinitely) if the middle part of the pilgrimage was ever “truly” finished—not unlike middle part of the pilgrimage was ever “truly” finished—not unlike 1001 Arabian Nights, argues Gittes (166).1001 Arabian Nights, argues Gittes (166).

Only twenty-two pilgrims, of the thirty-one, have told tales by the Only twenty-two pilgrims, of the thirty-one, have told tales by the end (I.792-94)…end (I.792-94)…

Harry Bailey states that each pilgrim will tell two tales, but the Harry Bailey states that each pilgrim will tell two tales, but the Franklin states that each will tell “a tale or two” (V.698)Franklin states that each will tell “a tale or two” (V.698)

The Cannon and his Yeoman join the pilgrimage, upsetting “the The Cannon and his Yeoman join the pilgrimage, upsetting “the limitations on the number” (Gittes 166)limitations on the number” (Gittes 166)

Gittes cites Don Howard: “the narrator’s recitation might go Gittes cites Don Howard: “the narrator’s recitation might go on indefinitely, producing more people and from them more on indefinitely, producing more people and from them more tales” (166).tales” (166).

Problems with Closure, part 1: Problems with Closure, part 1: The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales——

Fact 3Fact 3: The Parson is the last pilgrim to tell a tale.: The Parson is the last pilgrim to tell a tale. In the Parson’s prologue, only one tale (the Parson’s) is missingIn the Parson’s prologue, only one tale (the Parson’s) is missing

—— ““As we were entryng at a thropes ende” (X.12) “Now As we were entryng at a thropes ende” (X.12) “Now

lakketh us no tales mo than oon” (X.16).lakketh us no tales mo than oon” (X.16).

What this tells us: the Parson’s Tale was meant to be last. What this tells us: the Parson’s Tale was meant to be last. Here, we have the real Here, we have the real end end of the Canterbury Tales.of the Canterbury Tales.

And as Howard argues, this is the And as Howard argues, this is the endend entirely. entirely.

““[[The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales] depicts a one-way journey. There is no suggestion ] depicts a one-way journey. There is no suggestion in the Parson’s Prologue that a new day will dawn, or that the pilgrims will in the Parson’s Prologue that a new day will dawn, or that the pilgrims will turn about and go home. We part from them at a “thropes ende” beyond turn about and go home. We part from them at a “thropes ende” beyond Harbledown on the Canterbury Way” (Howard 79).Harbledown on the Canterbury Way” (Howard 79).

Tradition and Our Reading of ClosureTradition and Our Reading of Closure Do we believe the whole of the CTs to be complete or Do we believe the whole of the CTs to be complete or

incomplete? incomplete? Many critics believe the answer to this is Many critics believe the answer to this is directly tied to the tradition Chaucer is writing from.directly tied to the tradition Chaucer is writing from.

What tradition is Chaucer writing from?What tradition is Chaucer writing from? Gittes argues that Chaucer’s idea of closure and his Gittes argues that Chaucer’s idea of closure and his

poems’ open-endedness is an inherent value of the poems’ open-endedness is an inherent value of the Arabic Frame Tradition. Arabic Frame Tradition.

Critics argue for the Medieval Tradition, and use Critics argue for the Medieval Tradition, and use this as evidence for the “incompleteness” of the this as evidence for the “incompleteness” of the CTs. CTs.

Jordan says that the unconnected elements in the Jordan says that the unconnected elements in the Canterbury Tales are “connected a priori because Canterbury Tales are “connected a priori because medieval society considered existence ‘finite and medieval society considered existence ‘finite and comprehensible’ and that the work reflects ‘the medieval comprehensible’ and that the work reflects ‘the medieval presupposition that wholeness exists and is apprehensible, presupposition that wholeness exists and is apprehensible, whether the object of contemplation is the cosmos itself or whether the object of contemplation is the cosmos itself or any element or concept within it. The idea of finitude is any element or concept within it. The idea of finitude is essential to Chaucer’s aesthetic practice” (237-38)” essential to Chaucer’s aesthetic practice” (237-38)”

Summary of Gittes’ Argument for Summary of Gittes’ Argument for Arabic Frame TraditionArabic Frame Tradition

Essentially, Gittes compares the layout of the CTs to Essentially, Gittes compares the layout of the CTs to the shape of the Arab mosque {instead of Jordan’s the shape of the Arab mosque {instead of Jordan’s cathedral}, which is constantly being added, appended, cathedral}, which is constantly being added, appended, lengthened, to need. Thus, the same with the lengthened, to need. Thus, the same with the “uncompleted” Canterbury Tales. Gittes sees more “uncompleted” Canterbury Tales. Gittes sees more unity in the text through the “I” narrator of Chaucer the unity in the text through the “I” narrator of Chaucer the pilgrim, the internal organization of wisdom, and the pilgrim, the internal organization of wisdom, and the pilgrimage itself as a kind of reflection of that wisdom. pilgrimage itself as a kind of reflection of that wisdom. She then says that this puts the emphasis “on the She then says that this puts the emphasis “on the individual pilgrims, on the tales they tell, and not on individual pilgrims, on the tales they tell, and not on their roles in some larger drama” –as per a Western their roles in some larger drama” –as per a Western text/reading. She blames the institution of Western text/reading. She blames the institution of Western thought as a whole for this misrepresentation of a text thought as a whole for this misrepresentation of a text that, she asserts, has come from Arabic frame tradition. that, she asserts, has come from Arabic frame tradition. (171)(171)

Problems with Closure, part 2: Problems with Closure, part 2: The Cook’s Tale—The Cook’s Tale—

Knight’s TaleKnight’s Tale Miller’s TaleMiller’s Tale Reeve’s TaleReeve’s Tale Cook’s TaleCook’s Tale

Harry B. “rigs” Harry B. “rigs” straws so that straws so that “highest rank” “highest rank” goes firstgoes first

Miller Miller interrupts interrupts Monk, and Monk, and divine order to divine order to ‘Quite’ the ‘Quite’ the KnightKnight

‘‘Quits’ Miller Quits’ Miller and uses and uses another Churl’s another Churl’s taletale

Sees Sees degradation of degradation of form of tale—form of tale—posits an even posits an even worse oneworse one

No sexNo sex Cuckoldry Cuckoldry and poker up and poker up the bottomthe bottom

RapeRape (proposed (proposed prostitution)prostitution)

Long storyLong story Half the KnT’sHalf the KnT’s Shorter than Shorter than MTMT

57 lines57 lines

Formal Formal Courtly love Courtly love taletale

FabliauFabliau Darker fabliauDarker fabliau Unfinished, Unfinished, wife is wife is prostituteprostitute

Is the Cook’s Tale unfinished?

Problems with Closure, part 2: Problems with Closure, part 2: The Cook’s Tale—The Cook’s Tale—

Counter example: “In 25 of the Canterbury Tales Counter example: “In 25 of the Canterbury Tales MSS (notably Harley 7334 and Corpus Christi 198) MSS (notably Harley 7334 and Corpus Christi 198) the Cook's unfinished tale is followed by the the Cook's unfinished tale is followed by the anonymous anonymous Tale of Tale of GamelynGamelyn, and it has been , and it has been believed that Chaucer intended to rewrite the tale believed that Chaucer intended to rewrite the tale for the Cook. There is though, no other for the Cook. There is though, no other connection of Gamelyn with Chaucer and the connection of Gamelyn with Chaucer and the great difference in tone between that tale and the great difference in tone between that tale and the one the Cook starts suggests that it was inserted one the Cook starts suggests that it was inserted by the scribes who copied the manuscripts.” --by the scribes who copied the manuscripts.” --www.Wikipedia.org “The Cook’s Tale”www.Wikipedia.org “The Cook’s Tale”

There is the There is the possibilitypossibility that Chaucer intended to leave the Cook’s that Chaucer intended to leave the Cook’s Tale incomplete. If this is true, then can we see a trend toward a Tale incomplete. If this is true, then can we see a trend toward a tradition of elliptical storytelling? The tradition of elliptical storytelling? The Arabic Frame Tradition’s Arabic Frame Tradition’s open-open-endedness?endedness?

Problems with Closure, part 3: Problems with Closure, part 3: InterruptionsInterruptions——

Throughout the Canterbury Tales there is Throughout the Canterbury Tales there is the repetition of interruption. The Miller the repetition of interruption. The Miller interrupts the Monk, Harry B. interrupts interrupts the Monk, Harry B. interrupts Chaucer’s Topas, Etc.Chaucer’s Topas, Etc. In what way do interruptions undermine our In what way do interruptions undermine our

expectations?expectations? How does this play into the overall view of the How does this play into the overall view of the

Canterbury Tales’ “wholeness”?Canterbury Tales’ “wholeness”? ““[Chaucer’s] inability to close may be, [Chaucer’s] inability to close may be,

instead, an artful and conscientious instead, an artful and conscientious imitation of reality” (Grudin 1159)imitation of reality” (Grudin 1159)

Problems with Closure, part 3: Problems with Closure, part 3: InterruptionsInterruptions——

Chaucer is aware of narrative closure convention.Chaucer is aware of narrative closure convention.

Let’s look at some of his complete “traditional” endings.Let’s look at some of his complete “traditional” endings.

Knight’s TaleKnight’s Tale: “Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye; / And God save al this faire : “Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye; / And God save al this faire compaignye!” (I.3107-08)compaignye!” (I.3107-08)

Miller’s TaleMiller’s Tale: “This tale is doon, and God save al the rowte!” (I.3814): “This tale is doon, and God save al the rowte!” (I.3814) Reeve’s TaleReeve’s Tale: “Save al this compaignye, grete and smale! / Thus have I quyt : “Save al this compaignye, grete and smale! / Thus have I quyt

the Millere in my tale” (I.4323-4)the Millere in my tale” (I.4323-4) Summoner’s TaleSummoner’s Tale: There is a quick summary and then, “My tale is doon; we : There is a quick summary and then, “My tale is doon; we

been almoost at towne” (III.2276-94)been almoost at towne” (III.2276-94) Merchant’s TaleMerchant’s Tale: “Thus endeth heere my tale of Januarie; / God blesse us, and : “Thus endeth heere my tale of Januarie; / God blesse us, and

his mooder Seint Marie!” (IV.2417-18)his mooder Seint Marie!” (IV.2417-18) Franklin’s TaleFranklin’s Tale: “Now telleth me, er that ye ferther wende. / I kan namoore; my : “Now telleth me, er that ye ferther wende. / I kan namoore; my

tale is at an ende” (V.1623-24)tale is at an ende” (V.1623-24) Shipman’s TaleShipman’s Tale: “Thus endeth my tale, and God us sende/ Taillyng ynough : “Thus endeth my tale, and God us sende/ Taillyng ynough

unto oure lyves ende. Amen “VII.1623-24)unto oure lyves ende. Amen “VII.1623-24) Prioress’s TalePrioress’s Tale: ends with prayer, like Shipman’s, “On us his grete mercy : ends with prayer, like Shipman’s, “On us his grete mercy

multiplie, / For reverence of his mooder Marie. Amen” (VII.1879-80).multiplie, / For reverence of his mooder Marie. Amen” (VII.1879-80). Chaucer’s Tale of Melibee ends, too, a prayer (VII.1885-8)Chaucer’s Tale of Melibee ends, too, a prayer (VII.1885-8) Nun’s Priest’s TaleNun’s Priest’s Tale: “Now, goode God, if that it be thy wille,/ As seith my lord, : “Now, goode God, if that it be thy wille,/ As seith my lord,

so make us alle good men, / And brynge us to his heighte blisse! Amen (VII.3444-so make us alle good men, / And brynge us to his heighte blisse! Amen (VII.3444-6)6)

Problems with Closure, part 3: Problems with Closure, part 3: InterruptionsInterruptions——

Now, let’s look at the interruptions in the CTs.Now, let’s look at the interruptions in the CTs.

The Pardoner interrupts his own tale to sell his The Pardoner interrupts his own tale to sell his relics (VI.919)relics (VI.919)

Topas is interrupted by Harry B. (VII. 918)Topas is interrupted by Harry B. (VII. 918) Harry B. interrupts Squire: “Straw for youre Harry B. interrupts Squire: “Straw for youre

gentillesse!” quod oure Hoost. (V.694)gentillesse!” quod oure Hoost. (V.694) Friar interrupts WoB’s prologue (III.829)Friar interrupts WoB’s prologue (III.829) Cook’s Tale is “interrupted” by Chaucer the Cook’s Tale is “interrupted” by Chaucer the

poet.poet.

Problems with Closure, part 3: Problems with Closure, part 3: Append—Append—Rambling EndingsRambling Endings

And thenAnd then, ,

there are the pilgrims there are the pilgrims (Manciple, Clerk) whose stories (Manciple, Clerk) whose stories just keep “going on” after their just keep “going on” after their characters’ (more or less) happy characters’ (more or less) happy endings.endings.

Problems with Closure, part 3: Problems with Closure, part 3: Append—Append—Parson’s EndParson’s End

Critics have argued that because of Critics have argued that because of the invocation of the sign Libra, this the invocation of the sign Libra, this is to signify the “scales of judgment” is to signify the “scales of judgment” and tie us firmly to an apocalyptic and tie us firmly to an apocalyptic ending.ending. The apocalyptic text Chaucer modeled it The apocalyptic text Chaucer modeled it

after was the Bible.after was the Bible.

Problems with Closure, part 4: Problems with Closure, part 4: The House of FameThe House of Fame——

Three part dream visionThree part dream vision Three “houses”—Venus, Fame, rumorThree “houses”—Venus, Fame, rumor Repeated mention of “auctoritee”Repeated mention of “auctoritee” No authority to be found in either No authority to be found in either

househouse When someone of authority When someone of authority finallyfinally

arrives, poem ends…arrives, poem ends…

Problems with Closure, part 4: Problems with Closure, part 4: The House of FameThe House of Fame——

““Both highly dialogic, especially in their Both highly dialogic, especially in their framing, the framing, the House of FameHouse of Fame and the and the Legend Legend of Good Womenof Good Women are simply unfinished, are simply unfinished, whether intentionally or not” (Grudin 1165)whether intentionally or not” (Grudin 1165)

Many scholars believe this poem to be Many scholars believe this poem to be intentionally inconclusive, rather than intentionally inconclusive, rather than unfinished (McGerr)unfinished (McGerr) ““One grand question-mark to make us ponder One grand question-mark to make us ponder

and re-read” (Boitani)and re-read” (Boitani)

Problems with Closure, part 4: Problems with Closure, part 4: The House of FameThe House of Fame——

““The poem’s end, creating expectation The poem’s end, creating expectation of resolution that leads instead to of resolution that leads instead to silence, can therefore be seen as an silence, can therefore be seen as an ironic means of encouraging the reader ironic means of encouraging the reader to review the text and read more to review the text and read more closely in search of an authoritative closely in search of an authoritative voice—the irony being that the poem voice—the irony being that the poem undercuts the authority of all human undercuts the authority of all human voices and words, whether spoken or voices and words, whether spoken or written” (McGerr 61)written” (McGerr 61)

Problems with Closure, part 5: Problems with Closure, part 5: Ellipses: Ellipses: Topas Topas and and The House of Fame—The House of Fame—

Let’s look at Topas’ ending alongside the House of Fame’sLet’s look at Topas’ ending alongside the House of Fame’s

Topas: “He nolde slepen in noon haus, / but liggen in his hoode; Topas: “He nolde slepen in noon haus, / but liggen in his hoode; His brighte helm was his wonger, / and by hym baiteth his dextrer / His brighte helm was his wonger, / and by hym baiteth his dextrer / of herbes fyne and goode. / / Hymself drank water of the well, / as of herbes fyne and goode. / / Hymself drank water of the well, / as dide the knyght sire Percyvell / So worly under wede, / Til on a day dide the knyght sire Percyvell / So worly under wede, / Til on a day –”–”

HoF: “…and clamben up on other faste, / and up the nose and yen HoF: “…and clamben up on other faste, / and up the nose and yen kaste, / and troden fast on others heles, / and stampen, as men kaste, / and troden fast on others heles, / and stampen, as men doon aftir eles. Atte laste y saugh a man, /which that y [nevene] doon aftir eles. Atte laste y saugh a man, /which that y [nevene] nat ne kan; / But he semed for to be / a man of gret auctorite…”nat ne kan; / But he semed for to be / a man of gret auctorite…”

Discussion Q: What does the suggestion of “and then” mean for both Discussion Q: What does the suggestion of “and then” mean for both of these pieces?of these pieces?

Was Chaucer’s Work Just Was Chaucer’s Work Just Unfinished?Unfinished?

Beverly Boyd suggests that “Chaucer’s store of unfinished works is Beverly Boyd suggests that “Chaucer’s store of unfinished works is very large for a poet of his reputation.” She gives these reasons very large for a poet of his reputation.” She gives these reasons for it’s incompleteness: first, the oral presentation before a live for it’s incompleteness: first, the oral presentation before a live audience would remove pressure to bring the work to a final state; audience would remove pressure to bring the work to a final state; second, a presentation of a portion of the work to an individual second, a presentation of a portion of the work to an individual friend of patron would have the same effect… (Delany 228)friend of patron would have the same effect… (Delany 228)

Robert Payne argues that Chaucer “experimented with Robert Payne argues that Chaucer “experimented with inconclusiveness in both the structure and themes of his earlier inconclusiveness in both the structure and themes of his earlier narrative poems as one way of exploring the powers of rhetoric” narrative poems as one way of exploring the powers of rhetoric” (McGerr 3)(McGerr 3)

Howard began to see the varieties of endings as a sign of open-Howard began to see the varieties of endings as a sign of open-endedness in the whole of the CTs.endedness in the whole of the CTs.

““Piero Boitani’s study of the Piero Boitani’s study of the house of famehouse of fame[…] argued for […] argued for consideration of that poem as an ‘in-finite’ work that presents the consideration of that poem as an ‘in-finite’ work that presents the problematic relationship of literature, language, and reality.” (3)problematic relationship of literature, language, and reality.” (3)

Donald Rowe wrote on Donald Rowe wrote on Legend of Good WomenLegend of Good Women, states that the , states that the incompleteness of the conclusion in that poem is “finished incompleteness of the conclusion in that poem is “finished incompletion” and reflects the human condition. (3)incompletion” and reflects the human condition. (3)

The End? The End? Toward A Critical ResponseToward A Critical Response

Both the Both the Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales and the and the House of Fame House of Fame remain remain “incomplete” but is it Chaucer’s MO to go against Medieval “incomplete” but is it Chaucer’s MO to go against Medieval convention? convention?

What about his other, finished work?What about his other, finished work? Let’s take a quick look at the Parliament of Fowles—Let’s take a quick look at the Parliament of Fowles—

Sheila Delany argues that the Sheila Delany argues that the Parliament of FowlesParliament of Fowles, “defers the , “defers the conclusion of its narrative to outside the poem, and falls deliberately conclusion of its narrative to outside the poem, and falls deliberately one line short of its perfect seven hundred” (Delany, 228). one line short of its perfect seven hundred” (Delany, 228).

Delany suggests that Chaucer’s endings are mimetic, in the way we Delany suggests that Chaucer’s endings are mimetic, in the way we know where we begin (birth) but not quite where we end (death? know where we begin (birth) but not quite where we end (death? afterlife?) (228). afterlife?) (228). Discussion question: is this true of the CT pilgrims?Discussion question: is this true of the CT pilgrims?

In short: troublesome (or, rather, troubling) endings exists in most of In short: troublesome (or, rather, troubling) endings exists in most of Chaucer’s long work. But is the fragmented and “unfinished” CTs Chaucer’s long work. But is the fragmented and “unfinished” CTs purposeful, or just unfinished? purposeful, or just unfinished?

Chaucer’s RetractionChaucer’s Retraction

How are we to interpret?How are we to interpret? ““Chaucer’s poems repeatedly suggest the dangers of Chaucer’s poems repeatedly suggest the dangers of

jumping to conclusions” (McGerr 1)jumping to conclusions” (McGerr 1)

What do retractions do?What do retractions do? Serve to remind us explicitly of the role of the audience.Serve to remind us explicitly of the role of the audience. Leaves it to the reader to decide if the words revoked need Leaves it to the reader to decide if the words revoked need

to be.to be. Asserts the narrator’s intent.Asserts the narrator’s intent. Asks the reader to asses the work’s affect on us, Asks the reader to asses the work’s affect on us,

retrospectively, from the “vantage point of the end” (McGerr retrospectively, from the “vantage point of the end” (McGerr 136).136).

Pilgrimage in RetrospectPilgrimage in Retrospect

““The narrator’s performance, begun in the opening The narrator’s performance, begun in the opening passage of the General Prologue, looks back upon passage of the General Prologue, looks back upon a pilgrimage now completed and remembered. In a pilgrimage now completed and remembered. In some instances we must as we read look back some instances we must as we read look back upon previous tales or groups of tales to upon previous tales or groups of tales to understand the performance we witness—we look understand the performance we witness—we look back to the Knight’s Tale during the Miller’s back to the Knight’s Tale during the Miller’s performance, to the Wife’s during the Clerk’s. At performance, to the Wife’s during the Clerk’s. At the end of the work we are given a the end of the work we are given a summasumma on on penitence, and penance itself requires a penitence, and penance itself requires a retrospective examination of past deeds. At the retrospective examination of past deeds. At the end of the end of the summasumma the author himself looks back the author himself looks back upon the corpus of his writings” (Howard 196-7)upon the corpus of his writings” (Howard 196-7)

May thy goode God Hys classroom May thy goode God Hys classroom mende; mende;

For my pow’rpoynt ys at an ende.For my pow’rpoynt ys at an ende.