Introduction The Problem and the Possibility
Chaucer as an Intellectual Man: A Review
Possibility of Chaucer as an Intellectual
The Layout of the Book
Chapter One Counselor or Critic?
Court Poet as Prince-pleaser, Counselor, or Critic?
Chaucer's Counseling: The Tale of Melihee
Between Counsel and Critique: Mirror for Prince
Chapter Two Chaucer as a Social Commentator
Chaucer's Position: in and on the Society
Writing as Social Practice: The Nun's Priest's Tale
Women in Chaucer's Society: Criseydo and Wife of Bath
Portraying of Clerics: Prioress, Pardoner, and Parson
Chapter Three Entertainer, Edifier and Enlightener
The Role of Enlightener: Authority Negotiated
Literary Authority and Chaucer's Poetic Innovation
Masculine Authority vs. Feminine Experience
Chapter Four Wisdom and/or Weakness
Wisdom in art: Commenting with Strategies
Wisdom in Life: Chaucer and Chinese Shi
Weakness or Not?
Conclusion Possibility of Transcending
Selected Bibliography
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources