This thesis compares Chaucer’s production of the image of himself as author in The House of Fame to his production of characters in Troilus and Criseyde. In doing so, this thesis brings to the forefront an image of Chaucer as an author concerned with both the manner in which his work would be received in posterity as well as the manner in which he would be received through his work. It is my contention that Chaucer goes to great efforts to embed a complex and defined model of textual authority that is able both to resist and withstand orthodox cultural authority as a guarantor of meaning in his time and times to come. This model, which Chaucer terms his “matere,” is upheld, supported, and based in the figures in and of the texts, characters and author.

This thesis compares Chaucer’s production of the image of himself as author in The House of Fame to his production of characters in Troilus and Criseyde. In doing so, this thesis brings to the forefront an image of Chaucer as an author concerned with both the manner in which his work would be received in posterity as well as the manner in which he would be received through his work. It is my contention that Chaucer goes to great efforts to embed a complex and defined model of textual authority that is able both to resist and withstand orthodox cultural authority as a guarantor of meaning in his time and times to come. This model, which Chaucer terms his “matere,” is upheld, supported, and based in the figures in and of the texts, characters and author.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--John Hopkins University. / Life.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Santa Cruz. / Xerox copy of typescript. Bibliography: leaves 207-211.

Author's thesis, submitted to the Board of the University Studies of the Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.) -- Central Connecticut State University, 2005. / Thesis advisor: Candace Barrington. "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in English." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-60). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-57). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.) in English--University of Maine, 2006. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-97).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--New York University, 1940.

Thesis (M.A.)--Eastern Illinois University. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-38).