Download or read book A New Midrashic Reading of Geoffrey Chaucer written by Norman Toby Simms and published by Edwin Mellen Press. This book was released on 2004 with total page 522 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offers a novel interpretation of Chaucer as a "fuzzy Jew", a conflicted descendant of Conversos, who created the complex antisemitic character of the Prioress. Following a psycho-historical approach, suggests that the Prioress was raped as a child by a father-figure and that she projects the blame onto the Jews, who were demonized by her society. Associates child victimization with the alleged victimization felt by Chaucer for his own suffering as a child belonging to a group that had to conceal its identity. In view of Chaucer's putative Jewish heritage, offers kabbalistic perspectives on his work.