Tellability and Politeness in 'The Miller's Tale': First Steps in Literary Pragmatics

Author / Editor
Sell, Roger D.

Title
Tellability and Politeness in 'The Miller's Tale': First Steps in Literary Pragmatics

Published
English Studies 66 (1985): 446-512

Description
Making the improbable seem momentarily probable, Chaucer risks offending his audience by telling a bawdy story, but he excuses himself and blames the Miller for any breach of good taste. Chaucer catches the reader off guard with the abrupt denouement.

Chaucer Subjects
Miller and His Tale.