Thesis Theater: Elizabeth (Libby) Lyon, “Chaucer’s Enigmatic Quitting of The Canterbury Tales"

What this episode covers

This recording from December 13, 2025. Signum University presents Thesis Theater with Elizabeth (Libby) Lyon on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11am ET. This thesis explores Chaucer’s perplexing conclusion to his Canterbury Tales, reflecting particularly on parallels between the Parson’s Prologue and Chaucer’s Retraction in order to discover ways these final elements influence the collection as a whole. Supported by critical scholarship, historical context, and a close reading of primary source material, the thesis argues that the Parson’s Tale and Retraction were neither accidentally included nor hastily appended to the CT; rather they are Chaucer’s meticulously designed conclusion to the Tales. Despite the penitential tone of Fragment X, what ultimately emerges from Chaucer’s final lines, through his signature techniques of purposeful irony and ambiguity, is a poetic challenge to 14th century ecclesial concerns over the perils of narrative fiction as Chaucer subtly champions the transformative potential of stories. About the Presenter: Elizabeth (Libby) Lyon hails in part from the wilds of northern Wisconsin, where she raised and homeschooled her brood of six alongside her late husband, Dr. John Lyon. She earned her BA in the Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame. She has taught high school Biology, Algebra, and Composition at a classical academy, and served as a volunteer EMT with Bayfield Ambulance near the shores of Lake Superior. As a Masters degree student with Signum University, she has presented for Mythmoots X and XI, OzMoot, and Prancing Pony Podcast Moot on topics ranging from LotR to Huckleberry Finn to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Libby currently resides a stone’s throw from the Michigan state line, in northwestern Indiana. Besides taking Signum courses, her favorite pursuits are running, knitting, traveling, playing violin, and aggressively spoiling her grandchildren. About Signum Thesis Theaters: Each of our master’s students writes a thesis at the end of their degree program, exploring a topic of their choice. The Thesis Theater is their opportunity to present their research to a general audience, and answer questions. All are welcome to attend! Learn about Signum University’s mission, leadership and more: https://signumuniversity.org/about/. Registration is open for Spring 2026! Term begins the week of January 12th, 2026. To view our Upcoming Courses: https://signumuniversity.org/degree-programs/graduate/upcoming-courses/ To learn more about Signum's rigorous academic graduate program: https://signumuniversity.org/degree-programs/graduate/ma-in-language-and-literature/ Want to enjoy Signum’s educational offerings? Start here! https://signumuniversity.org/non-degree-programs/Support The Signum Scene