But with these relics, when he came upon some poor up-country priest or backwoods parson, in just one day he’d pick up far more

Question

In this passage, the pardon-seller is depicted as corrupt and self-serving, as he exploits the vulnerability of impoverished rural priests and backwoods parsons. In just one day, he is able to accumulate far more wealth from them than he would from others. How does this characterization reflect the broader themes of greed and exploitation in the text?

Palma Emard · Accepted Answer

B. Corrupt and self-serving

Anonymous · Answer

In this passage, the pardon-seller is characterized as B. corrupt and self-serving. Explanation: In Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, the pardon-seller is described as a corrupt man since he earns money by tricking people. The Pardoner tells God followers that their sins will be forgiven only if they buy his indulgences. For that reason, in the passage provided, the author writes "With double-talk and tricks  / He made the people and the priest his dupes". Therefore, the pardon-seller is depicted as a devious and avaricious man. The option that is closer to this description is B. corrupt and self-serving.

Amari Koepp · Answer

Double talkExplanation: A 'swindler' is generally meant for someone who deceives and cheats people from their own money. The pardoner or pardon seller in "The Canterbury Tales" of Geoffrey Chaucer is also described to be one. With his ability to double talk, he dupes people of their money, making "far more money Than any parish priest was like to see In two whole months". Even the narrator mentions "With double-talk and tricks He made the people and the priest his dupes", characterizing him as a swindler.

Anonymous · Answer

The underlined word that best characterizes the pardon-seller as a swindler is double-talk. This expression is the one that implies that he can trick and convince people in order to get their money. He can use his talent as a speaker in church and delivering speeches, but he also uses this talent to persuade country priests and parsons. This quality, double-talk, characterizes him as a swindler.

Anonymous

But with these relics, when he came upon some poor up-country priest or backwoods parson, in just one day he’d pick up far more

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