Future Perfect: The Augustinian Theology of Perfection and the Canterbury Tales

Description: Goldstein considers Custance of MLT and Alisoun of WBP in relation to the Augustinian theology of perfection, particularly in light of late fourteenth-century adaptations of Augustine, both orthodox and heterodox. MLT exemplifies the deterministic operation of grace, while the Wife of Bath's autobiography comically explores a "mediocritist" outlook. Goldstein posits a "perfection group" (on the model of the "marriage group") that anatomizes Augustinian ideals of perfection: i.e., MLT, WBP, ClT, SumT, MerT, SNT, CYT, and ParsT.