Chaucer gave a very detailed and vivid description of the Nun. Comparing the nun Dean's behavior with other characters in the general prologue, such as the knight, we will find that they are actually two different kinds of people: the Nun always pays special attention to some small things or details in life; Knights, on the other hand, value something really important. In order to show the mental state of the Nun, Chaucer always hides a sarcastic tone in her description. Her seemingly perfect image is to show how her behavior is inconsistent with her identity.
Firstly, I think her elegant appearance is hypocritical. The author described, That from her lips no morsel ever fell. She wet her fingers lightly in the dish. Of sauce, for courtesy was her first wish. With every bite she did her skillful best. From these sentences, we can see, the Nun's performance is so perfect, not because her duty makes her should do so, but because she can get happiness by acting elegant and knowledgeable. However, this is not something that a nun should pursue. Chaucer also describes many details of her behavior. This makes readers feel that, how important her elegant behavior is to herself. On the contrary, the nun's good deeds should be reflected in serving others rather than how elegant she should be.
I think he is a vain and ridiculous. The author described,she spoke good French, as taught at Stratford-Bow. For the Parisian French she didn't know. To imitate court ways, and had her pride. From these sentences, we can see, she is pretending to be noble. What a ridiculous and funny behavior!
I think she pretends to be kind. The author describes another aspect of the nun Dean in an ironic tone. She has a gentle heart. Chaucer satirizes her with the example of a mouse. She has a compassionate heart, that is, she secretly cries when she sees a mouse falling into a trap. Another ironic example of the author is to describe the great behavior shown by the nun dean to animals rather than to the people next to her. She will feed the dog with bread and milk barbecue. If the dog is beaten or dead, she will be sad for a long time. These examples show how soft her heart is, how much she values some small things, but never pays attention to some really important things. The knight described in the General Preface is the opposite of the nun Dean Dai. The knight will pay attention to the really important people and things. His way of looking at the world is opposite to that of the nun. He never throws delicious food to the dog. It looks very ruthless, but it is because he knows that someone needs these food more. Against the background of the knight, the nun Dean looks so superficial and hypocritical, which is her true face under her beautiful appearance and elegant behavior.
Generally speaking, I think she is a hypocritical, vain and ridiculous person. But different people have different opinions. Maybe from another point of view, we can learn from nun that she dares to break through the secular constraints and pursue freedom!
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