Tea & Talk at the Lit House: Chaucer and the Anti-Feminist Tradition, October 25

Chestertown, MD, October 5, 2005 — The fall 2005 season of Washington College's Rose O'Neill Tea & Talk Series commences with an examination of the medieval writings of Chaucer. Corey Olsen, assistant professor of English, will present "Reductio ad absurdum: Chaucer, The Wife of Bath, and the Anti-Feminist Tradition," Tuesday, October 25, in theRose O'Neill Literary House. The talk is free and all are welcome to enjoy tea and discussion. Tea will be served at 4 p.m., followed by the talk at 4:30 p.m.

An expert in medieval literature, Olsen will discuss the extraordinary relationship between Chaucer's Wife of Bath and "the dominant, antifeminist teachings of many prominent medieval writers." Arguing against the notion that Chaucer supports the misogynistic stereotypes of women, Olson suggests that "through the Wife of Bath's self-conscious fulfilling of those stereotypes, Chaucer exposes the absurd and destructive logical consequences of the anti-feminist tradition."

The Rose O'Neill Tea & Talk Series showcases the research, writing, and talent of Washington College's faculty and is held in the College's Rose O'Neill Literary House.Established in 1985, the Literary House was acquired and refurbished through the generosity of alumna Betty Casey, Class of 1947, and her late husband Eugene, and named in memory of his late mother, Rose O'Neill Casey. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary year, the O'Neill Literary House reflects the eclectic spirit of Washington College's creative writing and academic culture.