For reasons no one has ever been quite able to decipher, the Pardoner responds to the Host's request for a tale with a detailed exposé of the techniques he uses to sell his fake relics and expensive pardons to the unlearned masses of Christians who gather to hear him preach. These techniques range from a display of learning meant perhaps to intimidate more than inspire; to a play on the emotions of shame, guilt, and fear; to the implication that those who fail to give him money are harboring unspeakable hideous sins. He's got the gift.
After telling his fable, which is designed to inspire a fear of damnation that loosens up the purse strings, the Pardoner tries out his techniques on the pilgrims. Like any good salesman, he knows to create perceived scarcity for his goods (Order now! Supplies are limited!). He reminds the pilgrims how lucky they are that they have a Pardoner on the pilgrimage so they can buy the goods before he runs out. What if someone falls off his horse and breaks his neck? (Don't wait until it's too late!) We've got a revealing portrait of medieval sales techniques worthy of Mad Men.
Questions About Manipulation
- How does the Pardoner manipulate the emotions of his audience to get them to buy his pardons and relics?
- Why does the Pardoner say he tells tales as part of his sales pitch? How does he make this an effective means of selling pardons?
- How do the Pardoner's sales techniques at the end of his tale compare with the ones he described at the beginning? Does he tailor his presentation to fit his audience?
- Do you think the pilgrims will fall for his sales pitch?
Chew on This
The Pardoner knows that even fake relics can have a positive spiritual influence if the penitent is sincere.
The Pardoner's Tale demonstrates how an honest wish for repentance, emotions that a good Christian feels, can be manipulated for monetary gain.