I found Mann's assertion that the General Prologue actually casts the text in the style of estates literature to be very intriguing. Considering this Chaucer does seem to poke fun directly at the first estate, "those who pray." Not only are his clergy corrupt, "Men moote yeve silver to the povre freres / his typet was ay farsed ful of knyves." (232) but even the clerk, who seems genuine in his worship, is presented as poor, and emaciated. In this way Chaucer seems to be making a statement that goes beyond the first estate to religion in general.

Furthermore, Chaucer seems to employ less direct criticism with regards to others. In the case of the knight he reminds me a great deal of Chretien and Lancelot. The knight is presented with a cloying description of his positive qualities and a litany of his accomplishments. I am curious to see how Chaucer will use this somewhat 2-dimensional character.