Introduction; What are The Canterbury Tales?; Chaucer's language; The Franklin's contribution; Text and notes: The portrait of the Franklin (from The General Prologue); The Franklin's prologue; The Franklin's tale; Chaucer's pilgrims; Pilgrims and pilgrimages; Geoffrey Chaucer; Symbolism in The Franklin's Tale; Literary devices; The changing world of Chaucer's England; Gentillesse; Astronomy and astrology in The Franklin's Tale; Themes in The Franklin's Tale; Glossary of frequently used words