Of Sondry Folk: The Dramatic Principle in the Canterbury Tales.

Published: Austin: University of Texas Press, 1955. Rpt. with additional bibliography, 1980.

Description: Reads the CT as a sustained dramatic narrative, following the Chaucer Society order of the tales, and paying particular attention to the GP and the links among the tales. Focuses on characterization of the pilgrims, especially the Host, and their professional antagonisms, personal motives, and self-revelation. Categorizes the pilgrims by "three stages of dramatic development or three techniques of characterization: simple suiting of tale and teller; suiting of tale and teller, "plus an externally motivated dramatic situation"; and suiting of tale and teller, external dramatic motive, plus "internally motivated and extended self-revelation of which the teller is not fully aware." Includes a portrait of each character discussed, line drawings by Malcolm Thurgood.