What is a Pardoner?

The voice of Mrs. van der Jagt, the teacher, suddenly regains my attention. "Holly, please stop daydreaming and answer the question." There are no snickers, just an awkward silence.

I reply, "I am sorry Mrs. van der Jagt, I was not listening. I was distracted on a math problem."

She said, "Holly, while I am glad to see your interest in math, there is a time and place for everything. This is the time to learn about the Canterbury Tales. My question to you is, 'What is a pardoner?'"

I do not really know. I hope that 'pardon' may give me a clue. Presidents and governors can issue pardons. They were not around in the Canterbury Tales, but someone like them probably was. Here goes nothing. "Is he like some kind of judge? Maybe someone that reviews what other judges do?"

My teacher replies, "No. Does anyone else want to try?" There is a show of hands from some of my classmates. "Robert?"

"A pardoner is kind of like a priest, who does nothing but confessions. At the time, he went around giving absolution for sins, sometimes for money."

"That is very good, Robert. The important thing to remember is that he was wandering, and he was in competition with the parish priest in some ways. This explains some of the underlying tension ..."

I look around. A few people sneak a look at me. I am a little embarrassed by being caught like that.

1. I make it through the rest of the day without anything extraordinary happening.
2. Mrs. van der Jagt puts me on the spot again. "Holly, would you kindly read the section starting on page 211?"

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree