Final answer:
The author compares the Pardoner to impoverished characters who act as mirrors reflecting back their own poverty, which underscores the theme of the human condition and societal critique.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author of the essay compares the character of the Pardoner to various impoverished figures who reflect their own poverty back to others. Specifically, the characters mentioned include a sailor like John, a boy like Basil, and a woman like Dorothy, who portray the all-encompassing struggles with destitution. This thematic element of poverty and its reflective nature ties into the critique of society and the human condition, reinforcing William Wordsworth's preoccupation with the subject, particularly with characters that experience a deep personal connection to poverty.