FRANKENSTEIN

ANALYSIS ABOUT FRANKENSTEIN

I wrote a analysis about the novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley for Literature Class, it  is big because it contains a lot of information like the plot of the novel, themes, spaces, etc.

Here you have some abstracts of it with the most interesting information.

Hope you enjoy it.

The novel of Frankenstein came about on a rainy gloomy day on Lake Geneva. They were a bunch of Romantic poets stuck in a house. For entertained themselves they were reading a book of ghost stories. By the time they were there, Lord Byron suggested that they each should try to write their own horror story.  Mary starts thinking of a good idea and she wrote: “I busied myself to think of a story, a story to rival those which has excited us to this task. One which would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature, and awaken thrilling horror. One to make the reader dream to look roads, to curdle the bool, and quicken the beating of the heart”.  That created her most famous novel, “Frankenstein”. 

CHARACTERS 

There is not only an actor, but that Dr. Frankenstein and his monster are the basic ones. there is no an rival because none of the characters is bad, but a few changes on their personalities sometimes make them "bad" and "good".

As it is clear to see, Frankenstein is a fathered by Dr. Frankenstein.

There are also a few more secondary characters like: “Clerval”, “Elisabeth”, “Dr. Frankenstein’s Father” and “Justine”. The relationship between Dr. Frankenstein and Clerval is friendly, but they are not considered brothers. Between the doctor and Elisabeth exist a more love relationship that fraternal one. Between Dr. Frankenstein and Justine relationship is very strong since kids. 

PLOT

The story is contained to Europe and the waters around the North Pole. Robert Walton (A captain) rescues Victor Frankenstein. After many time of recovery, Victor Frankenstein tells to his savior his life story. He reveals the fact that he made a monster that has been causing trouble and misery in his life ever since. The monster has caused the death of five people in Frankenstein’s life. Before killing his last three victims, the monster requests someone to have company and feel good emotionally. Only after the destruction of his prospective partner does the monster cause the deaths of more people. The novel ends with the death of the doctor, the future suicide of the monster and the return of Walton to England. 

Look this video, Frankenstein is alive.

THEMES 

The consequences of human ambition, the excesses of extreme scientific experimentation, the need of communication, love and acceptance, the loneliness that involves both a monster and a genius are some of the themes that are demonstrated in this story.  Mary Shelley also talks about certain aspects that were or are unknown for example “The Cloning”, the human right to exercise and take the role of creation from God. She also wanted to speak about the responsibility of a father/mother care for, maintain, and protect their children by the fact of having them brought to the world.

“Permítanme que concluya insistiendo en una cuestión. Frankenstein es ciertamente un clásico de terror que abre una línea de argumento nuevo que la hace conectar entrañablemente con la ciencia-ficción. Pero no es sólo eso. Es un experimento en cuya narración se tocan temas —ya mencionados— que importan mucho a los hombres y mujeres del siglo XXI puesto que nos encontramos en una situación mundial en la que se grita reivindicando el derecho a la diferencia. El terrible grito de agonía de la criatura por su monstruosidad recoge los lamentos de muchos. Las reflexiones de la criatura pueden ser puntos de apoyo para comprendernos mejor a nosotros mismos. De hecho, a partir de Frankenstein, el ser humano se está comprendiendo mejor y eso es lo que precisamente hace que se convierta en un clásico: una obra de la que podemos decir que habla a los hombres de ayer y de hoy y, en lo que se nos alcanza, hablará a los hombres del futuro.” (Rodríguez, F., 2011, p.484). 

If you want to know more information about this analysis and novel you can click on the link below to this comment a you will find a Prezi presentation with more. 

https://prezi.com/uklcip6mqs_7/frankenstein/

Rodríguez, F. (2011). EL FRANKENSTEIN DE MARY SHELLEY. (1797-1851). Revista de Filosofía, (44),  473-484. Retrieved from: http://institucional.us.es/revistas/themata/44/29%20RodriguezValls.pdf

MARY SHELLEY, FRANKESTEIN.

MARY SHELLEY, FRANKESTEIN.

Define Romanticism

The romanticism is a movement in art and literature in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in revolt against the Neoclassicism in the precious centuries. The German poet Friedrich Schegel, he used the term romantic to describe literature as: “Literature depicting emotional matter in an imaginative form.”. Fancy, feeling and liberty are positively the focal points of romanticism includes subjectivity and an emphasis on individualism; spontaneity; freedom from rules; solitary life rather than life in society; belief that imagination is superior than devotion to beauty, and love of nature.

About Mary Shelley 

Mary Shelley was born in London on August 30^th, 1797. Her parents were William Godwin a philosopher and a political writer, and Mary Wollstonecraft a famed Feminist. Shelley never knew her mother because she died after her birth. In 1814, Mary creates a loving relationship with Percy Bysshe Shelley, a poet. They suffered financial situations and faced the loss of their first child in 1815 but some time before Mary brought to the world a baby girl who lived for few days. Mary Shelley is the author of the famous novel “Frankenstein”.  The novel was a reflection of Mary’s own sense of isolation and loneliness. On February 1, 1851, at the age of 54, Mary Shelley died in sleep as a result of a brain tumor. She was living in London at the time of her death.

The life of Mary Shelley.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J86epQeJmKg

NEOCLASSICAL PERIOD

NEOCLASSICAL PERIOD

Neoclassical Period

The Neoclassical Period was written between 1660 and 1798. This time period is fragmented into three sections: the Restoration Period, the Augustan Period, and the Age of Johnson.

Writers of the Neoclassical Period tried to imitate the style of Roman’s and Greek’s writers. As a result the combination of the terms:

“Neo”,

which means: “new”, 
and:

“Classical”,

as in the day of the Roman and Geek classics.

This was also the era of Enlightenment which give emphasis to logic and reason. It was controlled by Renaissance and followed by the Romantic era. In fact, the Neoclassical Period ended in 1798 when Wordsworth published the Romantic “Lyrical Ballads”.

Neoclassical Era

Understanding the Neoclassical era helps us better understand its literature. This was a time of comfortableness in England. People would meet at coffee houses to chat about politics, among other topics, and sometimes drink a new, warm beverage made of chocolate. It was also the beginning of the British tradition of drinking afternoon tea. And it was the starting point of the middle class, and because of that, more people was literate.

People were very interested in appearances, but not necessarily in being genuine. Men and women commonly wore wigs, and being clever and witty was in style. Having good manners and doing the right thing, particularly in public, was essential.

It was a time, too, of British political disorder as eight monarchs took the throne.

Characteristics of Neoclassical Literature

Neoclassical literature is characterized by order, precision, and structure. In direct opposition to Renaissance attitudes, where man was seen as basically good, the neoclassical writers represented man as weak. They emphasized restriction, self-control, and common sense. This was a time when conservatism flourished in both politics and literature.

Some popular types of literature included:

Parody

Essays

Satire

Letters

Fables

Melodrama, and

Rhyming with couplets.

1. 

In this link you can find more information about Neoclassical Period. 

http://www.victorianweb.org/previctorian/nc/ncintro.html

GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

Who was Jonathan Swift? What is he best known for?

He Born on November 30, 1667, he was an Irish author, a clergyman and a satirist. Jonathan Swift grew up fatherless. Under the care of his uncle, he received a bachelor's degree from Trinity College and then worked as a statesman's assistant. Eventually, he became dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. Most of his writings were published under pseudonyms. He best remembered for his 1728 book Gulliver's Travels.

What literary period does he represent?

Neoclassic period is the period represented by Jonathan Swift because in this period the authors always tried to symbolize the social blame trough comedy.

Define Satire.

Satire is the use of different elements such as irony, sarcasm, humor, and ridicule to criticize or mock the foolish behavior of others. Although the use of satire is often entertaining it is also often used to bring attention to a particular subject and promote change.

Why do you think Swift used this genre?

Jonathan Swift used the Satire genre because he wanted to illustrate some different aspects between the faith and politics with a technique, the one that could help him to ridicule others because of their ignorance.

What do you think Swift's view of humanity is? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?

I totally agree with Swift. He does not just tell the reader what they should think; he instead leads them to a certain point and allows them to decide whether or not he is indeed right and if so by what degree.

What do you think the controversy between the Big-Endians and the Small-Endians represents?

The Big-Endians in that period characterized the Roman Catholicism and the Small-Endians used to symbolize the Protestants.

What do we learn about the Lilliputians with the knowledge that they believe no other kingdoms exist except those of Lilliput and Blefuscu?

In that moment they had a war between Lilliput and Blefuscu, those both kingdoms were fighting because of some land issues and not only was that they had more problems, so for that fight they did not pay attention to other aspects that might be important for them such as that they had some near “kingdoms” that were more powerful than them. 

Why does Gulliver have such a strong reaction against the Yahoos when he first sees them?

Because Gulliver could not believe how repulsive in every aspects they were.

Who are the Struldbruggs? Are they happy to have eternal life?  Why or why not?

The struldbruggs are those humans in the nation of Luggnagg who are born seemingly normal, but are in fact immortal. Struldbruggs do not die, they do nonetheless continue aging. They are normal beings until the reach the age of thirty, at which time they become dejected. Upon reaching the age of eighty they become legally dead, and suffer from many ailments including the loss of eyesight and the loss of hair. 

MACBETH

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT MACBETH

A video About Macbeth (Summary)

Describe Macbeth's character. Is he completely a villain? Does he have a conscience? Explain.

Macbeth is considered as a brave soldier and is satisfied with a new title that the king gave him. He becomes the Thane of Cawdor as predicted by the three Macbeth wishes, whose scheming helps drive Macbeth’s ambition and transform him into a murderer and tyrant.

Macbeth as a brave soldier is dangerous when we realized how easily he is manipulated by Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth is soon overcome with ambition and self-doubt. Although he constantly questions his own actions, he is also obligated to promise extra murders in order to cover up his previous bad actions.

It is difficult to see Macbeth as an inherently evil character because it is clear that he lacks strength of character. The events of the play also affect his mental stability his guilt causes him a great deal of mental agony and leads to hallucinations.

What are the forces that determine Macbeth's destiny? To what degree are the witches responsible for Macbeth's downfall? What roles do fate and free will play in Macbeth's destruction?

Macbeth is never happy with his actions, even when they have got him his prize, because he is extremely aware of his own cruelty. At the end of the play there is a sense of relief when the soldiers are at his entrance.

As a psychological symbol, what does blood represent for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

Blood is always a symbol for life it is what literally keeps the human body alive. Blood also represent passion or emotionality. For Macbeth and Lady Macbeth blood represents life and ambition, but it ends up representing guilt, especially for Macbeth for his part in motivating the assassination a terrible, bloody act.

What do you think are the most important themes of Macbeth?

Ambition and the devastation which follows when ambition oversteps moral boundaries.

Kingship and the difference between appropriate use of power and tyranny.

Appearance and reality, and how people and events are often nor as they seem.

Fate and free will and the extent to which we control our own destinies.

SONNETS

SONNETS...

My professor of Literature II asked me to wirte a sonnet but to be honest I tried to write one and I realized that I am not good enough writing sonnets so when I read this one...

"I want no more, and you know, really no lessthan a love that will give me his bestGive me his heart and soul to hold so tightAnd let me return the favor by loving him rightShow me his emotions, his feelings, his painso when I say I know him, it will not be in vainI want no more, and you know, really no lessthan a love that I will hopefully never have to testSomeone who I can depend on to always be there, always downa person that can always make a smile from my frownA friend that can and will joke around and hangouta dude when in the relationship will not make me doubtI want no more, and you know, really no lessthan a love that will strive to always give me his best!"

Written by: Alegrea Robinson

Called: “What this girl wants”

Something like this came to my mind…

“I want some love and I want to know

That I deserve yours because you are the one that I love.

Give me everything you can and I am going to accept it slow

No matter what it is I only dream of having all.“

Of course it is not a sonnet; this is like an uncompleted beginning of one... I am happy and satisfied because at least I tried to write something.

Look at this video, it can help you to write one. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he_lxFaYwAA

MORE ABOUT RENAISSANCE

MORE ABOUT RENAISSANCE 

1.    Renaissance means “Rebirth”, in your words explain why this period is called that way.

Renaissance is called Rebirth because it is the time of revolution, modification, changed… that happened in Europe between the 14^th and 16^th centuries. It was a big age of growth for Europe. New cities growth up, a middle class with more money to spend, and new great artists, writers and thinkers came during this period.

2.    In what ways can you link Elizabeth I to Shakespeare?

Queen Elizabeth I was the leader during the time of Shakespeare's life. She enjoyed acting. Queen Elizabeth I loved when the productions of Shakespeare were acted by herself. She was very affectionate of Shakespeare’s productions. In some of his creations,

Shakespeare smartly hinted habits referring to the Queen and other events that joined during both of their life time.

William Shakespeare was one of the greatest writers in England at the time and he wrote for the general population.  Queen Elizabeth supported Shakespeare’s writing and works because she also was concerned with all members of society and not just royalty or wealthy people. Generally, the Queen Elizabeth’s control had a positive effect on the production of Shakespeare’s creations/

3.    Why is Shakespeare so famous? What have been his contributions to Literature and the English language?

Shakespeare is famous because he is one of the greatest writers. His productions represent perceptible  people in situations that all of us experience at one time or at least once in our life-love, marriage, death, mourning, guilt, the need to make difficult decisions, separations, reunions and reconciliation among them. They do so with great humanity, tolerance, and knowledge. Because they ate written to be acted

they are constantly fresh and can be adapted to the place and time they are performed. Their language is wonderfully expressive and powerful, and although it may sometimes seem hard to understand in reading. Actors can bring it to vivid life for us. Those

productions provide to the actors with some of the most challenging and rewarding roles ever written. They are entertaining and moving. They help us to understand what it is to be human, and to handle with the problems of being so.

Shakespeare made a lot of contributions to English Literature. Shakespeare made up his own words, which ones still live on the English language today. Shakespeare is responsible for creating about 1.700 of the English words.

For example, it is know that he created the word: “accused”. He took the Greek Prefix: “acou-“, “acous-“,” acouso-“, or “acoust-“, that means “denotes hearing” and joint it with the past tense ending –ed to refer to those who are on trial could be guilt or innocence.

4.    What is a Shakespearean sonnet? How it is formed?

Shakespeare’s sonnets are a full collection of poems that are related with themes as time, love, beauty and mortality. Shakespeare’s sonnets were very popular during his lifetime because they were written in a strict poetic form. Mostly speaking, each sonnet engages pictures and sounds to present an argument to the reader.

A sonnet is in verse form and has fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. Shakespeare’s sonnets follow the pattern “abab cdcd efef gg”, and Petrarch’s sonnets follow the pattern “abba abba cdecde”. All the lines in iambic pentameter have five feet, consisting of a unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one.

ABOUT RENAISSANCE

ABOUT THE RENAISSANCE

“What does “Renaissance” mean?

The term 'renaissance' is derived from the× French word meaning 'rebirth'. It is used to describe this phase of× European history because many of the changes experienced between the 14th and 16th centuries were inspired by a revival of the classical art and intellect of× Greece and Rome. Much of the art, architecture, literature, science and philosophy that surfaced during the× Renaissance was so reminiscent of this ancient past, that it seemed as though× Europe was indeed reborn during the late Middle Ages.

What was the Renaissance?

The Renaissance was a time of great social and cultural change in Europe. It was a period characterised by innovation, imagination and creativity. The Renaissance was also a time during which Europe's classical past was revisited and reinvigorated. Much of the inspiration behind cultural movements of the Renaissance came from people's attempts to emulate (imitate and improve) the legacies of classical European societies, such as Ancient Rome and Greece.

The Renaissance also represented a break away from the conformist society and culture of medieval Europe. A conformist society is one in which people strictly follow established rules and practices. Breaking away from this mould, the Renaissance was a time during which new and inventive ideas began to spread and gain influence. Gradually, this decreased the dominance previously held by the Catholic Church.

Where did the Renaissance begin?

The European Renaissance began in Northern Italy in the 14th century. The Tuscan city of Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. Gradually, the movement spread from Italy to other parts of Europe. In Italian, the period is referred to as il Rinascimento, (refer to Chapter 2 for more detail on the origins of the Renaissance).

What changes did the Renaissance bring?

The most notable changes experienced during the Renaissance were in the fields of art and architecture, literature, philosophy and science. In was in these disciplines that new trends and fresh styles emerged, inspired by Europe's ancient history.”

This information was took from http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-56_u-422_t-1105_c-4271/introduction:-what-was-the-renaissance?/qld/sose:-history/renaissance-and-reformation/renaissance-in-europe and also you can look for more information.

FAVORITE CANTERBURY TALE

FAVORITE CANTERBURY TALE

THE MERCHANT'S TALE

You are going to read a summarry of this Tale...

"...A sixty year old knight named January who lived in Lombardy, Italy had lived many years of wantonness but suddenly he had a strong desire to get married with a beautiful, young maiden and have a son to heir. He discussed the situation with his brothers. One of them named Placebo, told January he could make his own decision without taking anyone’s opinion; on the other hand, Justinus was completely against of his decision of marriage, he said to January that women are bad and unfaithful.

™January still decided to get married; he chose a girl named May. She was a very beautiful and “innocent” twenty year old woman. January once again talked to his brothers, Justinus tried January to regret about his decision but he gave up and left. January got married in a lavish, luxurious wedding in where he was quite anxious for his first night in bed with May. The feasting was pure happiness; the guests danced and sang all night long. The knight’s squire Damian immediately fell in love with May. January couldn’t wait any longer and asked all the guests to leave the house. After the priest blessed the bridal bed, January took May and made love to her. May wasn’t impressed, otherwise she was upset about her husband bed skills and quickly went off to sleep.

Four days alone passed by for the new married couple, then January noticed the absence of Damian and asked what was happened to him. He was informed that Damian had been sick for days. January told May to visit him with the ladies of the court to cheer him up. When they visited Damian, he gave May a letter declaring how deeply in love he was with her. After reading the letter, May was full of pity and decided to give back a letter to Damian declaring the same words. Time later, Damian recovered from his illness.

™January’s happiness didn’t last long because he lost his eye-sight, for that reason he became very jealous and possessive with his young wife, he always feared he could be deceived. May was too upset she couldn’t send messages to Damian anymore, but finally she could get Damian working into January’s personal garden and one day she told him to hide in the pear tree. At the same time this was happening God Pluto and his wife Proserpina were watching the whole scene, he started denouncing the disloyalty of women. 

™Pluto decided to heal January’s eye-sight; at the very moment May was betraying him Proserpina made May give the perfect answer to her husband. May climbed up the tree to “pluck a pear” but she really embraced Damian and he made love to her. At that precise moment January’s eye-sight was restored and he saw the unfaithful embrace of Damian and his wife, he started to cry but May said to him she was only trying to restore his eye-sight by doing that. May told January his eyes were too weak to see with brightness. January was convinced with May’s response and he only embraced her..."

Click on this link, you will find a video with another summary of the Tale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9eNKAE_-v8

By the way is my favorite Tale because it is very funny and interesting. 

Hope you enjoy as much I do! (:

CANTERBURY TALES

CANTERBURY TALES 

Chaucer wrote his collection of stories, told as if by pilgrims on the road from× London to Canterbury, in the last two decades of the 14th century. The book was unfinished when he died in 1400. No text in his own hand still exists, but the surprising number of near-contemporary copies that do survive - over 80 - suggests the tales proved a medieval 'bestseller'. This early and richly ornamented manuscript copy was made within a generation of× Chaucer's death.

Who was Chaucer?

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in× London, around 1345, into a well-connected family of wine-merchants. As a young teenager he was taken into an aristocratic household. Still in his teens, he fought in Edward III's army in×France. During a botched attack on Rheims, Chaucer was taken prisoner, but released after a ransom was paid, in part by the king himself.

By 1367, he had entered royal service under the patronage of the king's son, the powerful× John of Gaunt, Duke of× Lancaster. When the duke's wife died two years later,× Chaucer composed the 'Book of the Duchess' in her memory, his first known poem.

For the rest of his life,× Chaucer's fortunes were tied to the political intrigues of court life. While John of× Gaunt's influence was in the ascendant he did well, obtaining generous pensions and lucrative administrative appointments, such as× Comptroller of the Custom and× Subsidy of Wools, Hides and× Woodfells. Diplomatic duties took him to× France and Italy, where he became familiar with the works of Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio - authors who would inspire his own poetry.

When Edward III died in 1377, he was succeeded by his young grandson, Richard II. As the new king's uncle,× John of Gaunt's authority grew stronger - much to the advantage of× Chaucer, who reached the top of his public career when he became one of the two knights for the county of× Kent in 1386.

But a turbulent power struggle between× John of Gaunt and× Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of× Gloucester would soon lead to a decline in× Chaucer's circumstances. His last years were spent using his court connections to secure protection from his creditors as he waited for royal pensions to be paid. Chaucer died in 1400.

What is the 'Canterbury Tales' about?

Chaucer's long poem follows the journey of a group of pilgrims, 31 including Chaucer himself, from the Tabard Inn in Southwark to St Thomas à Becket's shrine at Canterbury Cathedral. The host at the inn suggests each pilgrim tell two tales on the way out and two on the way home to help while away their time on the road. The best storyteller is to be rewarded with a free supper on their return.

This literary device gives Chaucer the opportunity to paint a series of vivid word portraits of a cross-section of his society, from a knight and prioress, to a carpenter and cook; a much-married wife of Bath, to a bawdy miller - an occupation regarded in Chaucer's day as shifty and dishonest.

Chaucer mixes satire and realism in lively characterisations of his pilgrims. The tone of their tales ranges from pious to comic, with humour veering between erudite wit and good honest vulgarity. Taken together, the tales offer a fascinating insight into English life during the late 14th century.

Chaucer's original plan was for over 100 stories, but only 24 were completed, some of which had already been written for earlier works. Their order varies in different surviving copies, the Hengwrt manuscript being valued most for its accuracy.

Why was Chaucer important?

Chaucer is credited with having set the style for Middle English literature. Earlier Anglo-Saxon poetry, such as 'Beowulf', had been succeeded by a taste for French literature, in large part the result of England being ruled by Norman French kings after the Conquest of 1066. Even by Chaucer's day, the royal court was still bilingual.

His first works are either translations of French originals or much influenced by them. Later, Chaucer's writing picked up an Italian flavour through his diplomatic visits there. Finally, he blended French, Italian and classical influences into a truly English style in two great works: 'Troilus and Criseyed' and the 'Canterbury Tales'.

Continuous publication of the 'Canterbury Tales' since Chaucer's death, and the inspiration it has provided for other writers and artists, are testimony to the enduring appeal of his characters and their stories: proof that people's hopes and fears - and the English sense of humour - are little changed by six centuries of history.

  Why Geoffrey Chaucer is considered the father of the English Language?

Chaucer known as the father of English poetry when he started writing there was no standards in English. He was the first person who introduced modern English. It is better to consider him as the father of the modern English poetry. There were some earlier poets in England but their language has established to spoken and their versification has become out of date and does not appeal to us any longer.

We give him the title because of his accomplishments. His largest and best known are The Canterbury Tales. In this work Chaucer creates a frame story with his poetry. The outer story is the pilgrimage that the group is taking to pay homage to Becket at Canterbury. The inside story is a collection of short stories focusing on the individual travelers. 

Through his own life experiences, is able to give us a picture of life un his age for all levels of society. His Tales give us the knight to the plowman. Not many authors have ever been able to do this well, and it was several hundred years before Shakespeare came along and was also able to successfully represent all members of society in a straightforward and truthful way while still being entertaining.

He is called the father of English literature because he was the first to write what became generally well-known and recognized poems and stories in the language of the common people of his time medieval English. Until that time, the language of the educated and of written literature in England was Latin or French. Chaucer wrote a great many works that were well-received during his lifetime and that continue to be recognized as masterpieces, but the defining factor that sets him apart was the fact that they were written in English.

    What even started the traditional pilgrimage to Canterbury?

Because of Thomas Becket death people go to Cathedral because ever since the murder of Becket in the Cathedral in 1170, Canterbury has attracted thousands of pilgrims.

 What sort of picture did Chaucer want to portray about English society through his tales?

Since Chaucer sets on the Canterbury Tales at a time of economic transition in England, in which new mercantile and artisan classes are shaking things up for the more traditional "estates" of those who pray, those who fight, and those who work, you can bet that class is going to be a big issue in the Tales. It's most important in the pictures of members of these new classes like the Merchant or Tradesmen's. These portraits explore the source of these tourists' wealth and the way they and their families are dealing with their newfound social status. One of the most important questions this new class raises is what qualifies someone to have a position of power in their community. Is it only wealth, as seems to be the case when these men ascend to important positions in the government, or is something more "noble" required, as traditionalists would have us believe? The contrast between members of the new and traditional social classes allows The Canterbury Tales to explore this question.

Here you have a link with all the CANTERBURY TALES 

Written by:

 Geoffrey Chaucer 

http://english.fsu.edu/canterbury/

All of them have there own interestings aspects, take a lot of it, you will like it to!