The Comic Mode in English Literature: From the Middle Ages to Today.

Author / Editor
Rosten, Murray.

Title
The Comic Mode in English Literature: From the Middle Ages to Today.

Published
New York: Continuum, 2011.

Physical Description
viii, 278 pp.

Description
Describes and assesses the presence of the comic mode in English literature, including a discussion (pp. 42-51) of portions of CT (especially MilT, RvT, and WBP) that explores how Chaucer achieves comedy without negating the "seriousness of the pilgrimage itself." Describes how Chaucer uses irony and ambiguity in his layered narration to leave his perspective "amusingly undetermined."

Chaucer Subjects
Canterbury Tales
Miller and His Tale
Reeve and His Tale
Wife of Bath and Her Tale