The Parson

Definition: The Parson is a character in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. He is one of the pilgrims on his way to the Canterbury Cathedral to visit the death-site of Saint Thomas Becket. He can read, he is kind, he lives frugally, and he tends to the duties of his parish. He does not pocket his benefice and is “not a mercenary” (Chaucer, Wright, & Cannon 15-16). The Parson is a good example for his parish of how to get to Heaven. He is the perfect representation of what a parson should be.

Importance: The Parson is an interesting character because he is presented as an ideal pilgrim. What is even more interesting is that what makes him ideal is his adherence to the rules and guidelines set forth before him. As a work of satire, Chaucer intentionally pokes fun of the fact that the parson is nothing extraordinary, simply a rule-follower. This is indicative of the fact that most clergy were falling short of what was expected of them at this time. Perhaps Chaucer is suggesting that if we followed the church law the way that it is intended to be, then we too could become ideal pilgrims.  

source: http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/pardonport.htm