Gender Norms In The Franklin's Tale By Geoffrey Chaucer

In “The Franklin’s Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer, he employs the idea of gender norms to present a maistrie where Arveragus is dominant over Dorigen in their relationship. Chaucer entails this dominance over Dorigen when Arvegaus is described that “he wrought for his lady before she was won.” The fact that Chaucer describes Dorigen as being “won over” by Arvegaus denotes the dominance he has over her. Dorigen is being won over as if she is an object or more specifically a trophy that can be owned. This is done to the effect of emphasizing the idea that Dorigen, like most women during that time, are only property of their husbands. After Arvegaus leaves Dorigen to go on a voyage, Dorigen is presented as being in great grief and despair. Dorigen

Geoffrey Chaucer describes Dorigen as “[taking] him for her husband and hir lord.” Usually in marriage gender norms, it is the husband who takes the girl by asking, but Chaucer displays it as Dorigen who “takes” him as “her” husband. This is a vivid presentation that Dorigen took the lead in marriage and is the dominant one in the relationship. Furthermore, Chaucer states that while Arvegaus may have “swore her as a knight, [he] … obey[s] her and follow[s] her will in everything.” Chaucer includes this to denote that only when he is representing his public figure, he is dominant. Despite Arvegaus knight status, he obeys and follows Dorigen “will” in “everything.” This is a crystal clear message that this dominance over Dorigen is only an illusion for the public; the armor that provides protection from the vulnerable truth inside. The truth is that Dorigen is the one who is the dominant figure in their relationship; a complete reversal of the gender norms of the man being in charge. Ultimately, Chaucer’s effective utilization of Dorigen the one who takes Arvegaus and Arvegaus’s dominance only being a layer of armor hiding the truth vividly showcases the relationship between

Arveragus makes the promise that he will never “take upon himself mastery,” he will “obey [Dorigen] and follow her will.” This is done to the effect of expressing Arveragus’ belief that marriage should not contain any mastery; instead, marriage should be a mutual relationship where the dominance is not a factor. Chaucer creates a variance between the common norms of males being the dominant figure in marriage by conveying his character to be a “noble” knight who vows to release the mastery in their marriage. Despite this, Arveragus demands Dorigen to fulfill her end of the promise, which ultimately contradicts his entire promise. Furthermore, Dorigen vows to take her place as a “humble true wife” to Arveragus. This promise illuminates her submissiveness and non-controlling nature. However, this promise is tainted when Aurelius brings up the promise Dorigen made him if he cleared all the rocks. Dorigen’s promise spoils her “true” nature to Arveragus, victim of her own words. This essentially presents Dorigen’s mastery of her promise completely de-railing the promise she made to her husband; It was her own mastery that dominated herself. Dartmouth College Professor Alan Gaylord describes Dorigen as “in a state of torment by two men” who insist “they have her one heart.” Moreover, the promises created by one’s self ultimately has the ability to reshape