3HER IN FAVOUR OF FEMENISM

 Alexandra Losonti, in her article “Discourse and Dominion in Chaucer’s Wife of Bath Prologue,” argues “In
the Middle Ages women were identified by their roles in life and society as wives, widows, mothers or
maidens and were portrayed in relation to a man or group of men” 
 Refered to as wife rather than with her own name – status of being a wife more important than individualty
 Defined by her association to men than her self :- question of individuality
 She defies gender roles of women who are submissive to the men that surround them and speak only when
spoken to. In this sense, she is a radical feminist.
 Considered as a radical feminist- her relationship with men and openness of her sexuality.--- not afraid to
admit openly that she enjoys and will continue to enjoy sex irrespective of her age and sexual aspects of
marriage
 The wife constantly demolishes the gender stereotypes—neglects negative light of women not being open
about their sexuality.. shows no regards for her status quo..
 VIEWS HERSELF NOT AS A WOMAN BUT AS A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY- sees her
 The Wife of Bath’s sexuality is not at the mercy of her husbands, as it was for the majority of women in the
Middle Ages.
 She is in control of her own sexuality
 Works, goes to church, is competitive
  As a strong feminist, the Wife of Bath does not believe that she owes anything to her husband, and uses
her sexuality only as she sees fitting for herself.
 Her knowledge and education defies that of a typical woman of the middle ages—she rejects the notion of
constantly looking at men for approval
 The Wife of Bath is also acutely aware of her own desirability, and uses it to her advantage
 she is extremely submissive to her fifth husband and loses all her power in the relationship. By surrendering
the qualities that once made her a resolute feminist, she becomes an instrument for Chaucer to convey his
misogynist views. This contradiction in her character makes the Wife of Bath a complex interpretation of the
feminist ideal.
