Question

Review the chart you created as you read. Unlike other pilgrims, the Wife of Bath interrupts her story with various personal comments, anecdotes, and illustrative stories. What might she be trying to convey about herself with this additional information?

Answer 1

Before the Wife begins her tale, she shares information about her life and her experiences in a prologue. The Wife of Bath begins her lengthy prologue by announcing that she has always followed the rule of experience rather than authority. Having already had five husbands "at the church door," she has experience enough to make her an expert. She sees nothing wrong with having had five husbands and cannot understand Jesus' rebuke to the woman at the well who also had five husbands. Instead, she prefers the biblical command to go forth and multiply.

Answer 2

It might be said that by resorting to these techniques, the character is presented and portrayed. The reader gets to know her and the way she thinks. In this way, she is able to reveal her authority about certain subjects, such as "husband" and the desire a woman could have of controlling him. Her tale might be seen as consistent and factual because it is a personal experience so she gets to speak due to her knowledge about the topic.