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Chaucer's 'The Miller's Tale.' (Geoffrey Chaucer)(comment on Ricks Carson, The Explicator, vol. 50, p. 66)

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From: The Explicator
Date: 19930922
Author:Lambdin, R.T.

Several occasions in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Miller's Tale' show how the character of John the carpenter is a caring, concerned man. He is described as a gnof, whose Early Frisian root knuffig means a lump. Although critics have interpreted the word to mean churl, nothing in John's character suggests he is a churl. Moreover, since his not being a churl does not alter the humor and meaning of the tale, labeling John a churl is pure speculation as to the meaning of the word gnof.

Ricks Carsons response (Explicator 50|2~: 66-67) to my essay (Explicator 47|31: 4-6) on "The Miller's Tale," ...

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