The Parody of Pentecost in Chaucer's 'Summoner's Tale'

Author / Editor
Levitan, Alan.

Title
The Parody of Pentecost in Chaucer's 'Summoner's Tale'

Published
University of Toronto Quarterly 40 (1971): 236-46.

Description
Shows that Friar John of SumT is an "exemplar" of "reversals of apostolic qualities," essential to the anti-fraternalism of the Tale, rooted in the "Roman de la Rose." The description of the division of the fart that concludes the Tale adds to this anti-fraternalism by parodying the Pentecostal visit of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles. Includes seven b&w illustrations of wheel-like depictions of the Pentecost.

Chaucer Subjects
Summoner and His Tale
Sources, Analogues, and Literary Relations