The character of the parson from the Canterbury TalesGeoffrey Chaucer is considered by many critics to be the father of English literature. His literary masterpiece was "The Canterbury Tales". In these tales, Chaucer writes about pilgrims who are on their way to Canterbury. Each pilgrim has a story they tell on this journey. Chaucer expresses themes and messages through the characterization of each pilgrim. Through the Parson, one of the pilgrims, Chaucer is able to portray the life of a true Christian through the general prologue, the prologue to the Parson's tale, and the Parson's tale itself. In the general prologue, Chaucer introduces the reader to the Parson. He is a "holy man of good report" (475). The reader quickly gets to know him as a devoted, educated, selfless, thoughtful, kind, humble, generous, and brotherly man through the general descriptions of who the Parson is and what he does. The parish priest is "benign" and "diligent" (481), as well as being "holy and virtuous" (511). Chaucer portrays this pious Christian through his reverent and venerable attitude...