The parson-persentation notes

The Parson
A priest of an independent parish church, which is not under the control of a larger, monastic/ecclesiastical organization (not corrupt)
Who’s the parson, gen. prlg
Country parson
Poor, intelligent, and patient
Brother of the plowmen
Never gave tithes, shared his own money with those who needed it
Walked his large parish, rain or shine, to check on his parishioners
Wanted to set a good example
Teaches that he practices what he preaches
Lives his life by what he teaches others
says “if gold shall rust, what shall poor iron do?”
Travels by foot
Carries a stave

The parsons prg
The last to tell a tale
Won’t tell a story just to entertain
He wants to educate
Not a tale, a Church sermon
About the most perfect pilgrimage, the journey threw life to make it to heaven
Modestly says he’s not a learned man, and will happily accept corrections.
The host says that to end with something virtuous would be appropriate
He then thanks and blesses the parson
Tells him to finish before sundown
….it’s the longest tale of them all


The Parson’s Tale(sermon)
Relates life to a pilgrimage
From hard life on earth, to the stress free celestial world
God wants us all to continue on, to succeed in that pilgrimage.
there are many spiritual ways to make it to heaven
3 Part sermon
Part 1: penitence-contrition, confession, satisfaction.
Part 2: confession, sin and types of sin
Part 3: the seven deadly sins
3 Parts of Penitence Penance is repentance of sins
Contrition
mans sadness for sinning and intention of doing penance
Many, examples of what brings a man to contrition (ex. Fear of hell)
Confession
Admittance of sins to the priest
Satisfaction
living one’s life continuously without sin.



Penitence
3 functions of penitence
A man cannot be baptized and begin again if he’s not repentant for his prior sins
When a man sins after baptism
When you’re lifestyles adapted to day to day sins
3 Types of Penitence
Solemn- the church assigns him open penitence for an openly committed sin (Ex child slaughter)
Public- the church sends sinners in a group (ex. On a pilgrimage barefoot or in underwear)
Private- men do time for sins, penance in private
Penitence cont
3 things that anger the lord
Delight in what we think
Carelessness in what we say
Deeds that are wicked and sinful
True, perfect penitence
Contrition of heart
Confession of mouth
satisfaction
Confession
the act of admitting one’s sinfulness before a priest as part of penance in hopes of being absolved
Sin
the outcome of struggle for dominance between the mind and body
2 types of Sin
Venial- minor
Deadly-serious
The seven deadly sins
PRIDE
2 types
Can be visual
Garish clothing
Mental
Thinking your better than others
Remedy
Humility and meekness

ENVY
3 types
Sorrow over other’s goodness and prosperity
Joy over another’s misfortune
Belittling the goodness of his neighbor
Remedy
Loving god, your neighbor and yourself
IRE(anger)
2 types
Good
Man is angry at wickedness and against it
Wicked
Sudden anger for no good reason (venial)
Evil intent, anger seeking vengeance (mortal sin)
Remedy
Meekness, humility, and patience

SLOTH
Sluggish, moody, and peevish
Remedy
Strength, the despising of harmful things
AVARICE(covetousness)
Avarice- withholding what you have without real need
Covetousness- wanting what you don’t have.
These both Include land, goods, knowledge and glory
Remedy
Generous, mercy, pity

GLUTTONY
5 types
Drunkenness
Confusion as a result of drunkenness
Forgetfulness from being drunk
Devours food with no good manners
Eating until your sick
Remedy
Willing abstinence



LECHERY(lust)
6 types
premarital sex
Rob maiden of maidenhood
Man and wife regard sex as only a pleasure
Incest
Pollution(sex dreams)
Remedy
Chastity and continence

Conclusion
The parson describes the celestial world, a paradise.
Once foul dark body of man now brighter than the sun
No longer sick and fail, immortal and strong
Man no longer fears hell
Good company and happiness
No hunger, thirst, cold
All is replaced by the sight and perfect knowledge of god
Man my only reach heaven through spiritual poverty, the hardships of life until death and death of sin.

Analysis
Parson is the perfect priest, which contrasts to all the other church affiliated characters
Selfless, gives money doesn’t take
Truly all about god and living his life by the lords guidelines
Not corrupt
Like the plowmen and the knight they’re all the perfect image of what they're labeled
Both the parson and his brother are entirely devoted to God and are on the pilgrimage for no other reason than honoring their religion.
The story, being a traditional church sermon of that time period
People believed that life was pain and to be endured not enjoyed, to reach the ultimate goal of heaven.
was the perfect ending to their pilgrimage because it was about the great “pilgrimage” of life and what is required to achieve that goal
All the details he covers also augment the all the flaws in the other characters.