Thesis: "The Wife of Bath" is a tale of feminism or Anti-feminism showcasing the images of women and ways a female character gains power within a repressive, patriarchal society.

I. The main character, Alison, or the wife of Bath, is representative of most of the feminist ideals in the work.

a. She is strong, independent, and to be respected as a women of great courage.

b. Alison has suffered a great deal in her lifetime, indicative of life foe women at this time.

II. A more careful analysis of both the "General Prologue" and "The Wife of

Bath's Tale and Prologue," however, suggest that perhaps the character of Alison is not as autonomous as the reader is led to believe.

a. The General Prologue gives evidence of Alison's prowess as a weaver: "of cloth-making she hadde swich an haunt/ She passed hem of Ypres and of Guant" (General Prologue 449-450).

b. Despite this talent and position as a business owner, Alison still relies on her husband for wealth and status.

III. Another of Alison's character as one representing feminist ideals is that she

gains her power through acting out stereoty

And happed that, alone as he was borne/ he saw a maiden walking him biform/ of which maiden anon, maugree her heed/ By very force he rafte her maidenhead. (The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale 891-894)

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1699
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)