eeping them alive.
             Each pilgrim represents a certain part of medieval society. The pilgrims are at the top of their social standings, they are either especially good or very corrupt. Some of the pilgrims display greed, clerical corruption, cruelty, and carnal desires. Chaucer's story is asking his audience to revaluate the church and society; and to redefine the convention because society is filled with moral and spiritual upheaval. This idea is apparent in the contrast between what a pilgrimage is really for and the morals and ideas of the people taking part in it. In this way it shows signs of the beginnings of the protestant reformation. Three of the stories that help best encapsulate society at that time are the Knight's Tale, the Wife of Bath's Tale, and the Miller's tale.
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