Performance and Dress

In our discussion of the Parson’s Tale today, we mentioned the condemnation of “inordinat scantnesse,” of scanty clothes, a distraction that is tied to vanity. The Tale also warns against baggy clothing, a wasteful use of cloth. This emphasis on clothing as having the potential to show pride, avarice, or one of the other deadly sins reflects back on Chaucer’s emphasis throughout his Tales on the pilgrims’ garb. The Wyf wears stockings of scarlet, an incredibly expensive dye in the 14th century, evidencing her wealth, and consequently, her greed. The Prioress is  holier-than-thou in her Tale, but she is described as wearing a “ful fetis,” a very elegant, cloak, and a gold brooch. Her clothing exposes her true nature as prideful and gluttonous. 

I find it interesting that Chaucer reveals personality through the clothing that the pilgrims choose to wear, while their Tales often work to portray themselves in the best light, while criticizing others. The choice of clothing, particularly for the women in the Tales, is often related to performative theory among Chaucerian feminist scholars. Most of the articles I read were anachronistic in their treatment of Chaucer’s intent, but the relation between women’s agency and dress is still a pertinent thread throughout the Tales. In our discussion of the Parson's Tale, it's an interesting reflection back on the General Prologue and the emphasis of occupation and dress. Does dress give us a true sense of the sins of each pilgrim, a subtle condemnation? Is it an ironic self-labeling by the pilgrims of their flaws?

I read an interesting chapter from Susan Crane’s book Performance of Self: Ritual, Clothing, and Identity During the Hundred Years War that relates to this discussion entitled “Talking Garments.” It can be read online through JSTOR or EBSCO. Read it.