Character Analysis Of Formalism In The Miller's Tale

“Miller’s Tale” Character Analysis Throughout The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer uses different ways to diversify his characters such as gender, psychology, formalism, and how they are presented throughout the story, this is most evident in the “Miller’s Tale.” Formalism is a literary criticism that focuses on the literal text rather than the history behind the author or the time the article was published. The first character discussed is John the carpenter, he is arguably the most important in regards to psychological aspect of the “Miller’s Tale.” Alisoun, who is John’s wife, is the second character the author introduces in this story. Nicholas is the next character the author introduces; and he also has a different psychological aspect …show more content…
She is much younger than John her husband; also is much different from her husband in regards to love and fidelity. She is different in this way because Chaucer mainly focuses on her physical appearance. Chaucer stresses her beauty, so the most important to take from her description she is a beautiful, young woman; but also she is lustful, and flirtatious with other men beside her husband; this is a reason why John would be worried. Chaucer uses phrases such as: “And sikerly” “she had a likerous eye” (Chaucer) showing her intentions and interpretations of marriage. Chaucer also uses these quotes to relate her appearance through …show more content…
This adds to the feministic side of the male figure in the “Miller’s Tale.” He is also artistic, which he uses to try and win over Alisoun by serenading her. Chaucer shows these characteristics through phrases like these, “fetisly”(Geoffrey Chaucer) and “somdeel squaymous/ of fartyng.”(Geoffrey Chaucer) Chaucer stresses the pretty boy image in the last two characters to compensate for the lack of women in “The Miller’s Tale.” Also Chaucer