Final answer:
a. The chickens represent freedom, while the widow and her family symbolize confinement. The chickens represent freedom, while the widow and her family symbolize confinement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contrast between the type of "people" the chickens are and the widow and her family in The Nun's Priest's Tale reveals that the chickens represent freedom, while the widow and her family symbolize confinement.
The chickens in the tale are carefree, roaming freely around the farm without any responsibilities or burdens. On the other hand, the widow and her family are burdened by responsibilities and confined to their roles and duties.
This contrast highlights the theme of freedom versus confinement and suggests that the chickens embody the ideal of freedom, while the widow and her family are trapped in their societal roles and obligations.