The Ideas Of Protection And Immorality In The Miller's Tale

Register to read the introduction… With men often leaving the house to tend to their own chores, the women of the house have plenty of chances to "play around" with other men without their husbands knowing. John, the carpenter in the Miller's tale, constantly worries about his eighteen year-old wife, Alison. "Jealous he was," the Miller tells us, "and he kept her closely caged, for she was wild and young, and he was old, and thought she would likely make him a cuckold." This protection of the woman of the home parallels that of the Reeve's tale, in which Simon the miller protects his wife and daughter, Molly, when he finds the mischievous Alan and John have slept with them. "'By holy God I'll have your tripes for daring to dishonour my daughter. . .,'" Simon exclaims. Full of rage, he attacks Alan as to sustain his protection for his …show more content…
Both John and Simon exhibit some level of restraint over Alison, Molly, and the miller's wife, for "restraint is recommended (for women) in regard to sexual behavior"(Blewitt 662). Fly Nicholas, who pays rent to stay with John and Alison, finds that John frequently leaves the house for many days as part of his job. Nicholas stands as the sliest character in both tales, knowing all of love, sexual pursuits, and astrology. He approaches Alison one day and grabs her cunt, and after little resistance, Alison accepts the sexual pass. Alison than readily engages in sex with Nicholas, being assured that John will not find out. She finds Nicholas young and attractive, and approves of his sly plan to deceive John, stopping not once to think of the anguish she will soon cause her faithful and loving husband. Another such offense comes about when Alison openly sticks her "romp" out the window for Absolom to kiss. Her overall character seems as one which has no