John Gower: Moral Philosopher and Friend of Chaucer.

Author / Editor
Fisher, John H.

Title
John Gower: Moral Philosopher and Friend of Chaucer.

Published
New York: New York University Press, 1964.

Physical Description
x, 378 pp.

Description
Describes the development of John Gower's critical reputation, his life records, his literary career (including attention to manuscripts, sequence of composition, and revisions), the major social and political themes of his works, and his relationship with Chaucer as a friend and a literary influence. Discussion of Chaucer recurs throughout the volume, and the last section (pp. 204-302) focuses on Gower's influence on Chaucer, particularly the latter's development as a social critic in imitation of the older poet, even though he replaced Gower's complaints against the estates with more fully realized estates satire. This latter section aligns each of Chaucer's major works with those by Gower, exploring their crossing influences and exchanges.

Chaucer Subjects
Sources, Analogues, and Literary Relations
Chaucer's Life
Background and General Criticism