Chaucerian Prologue to Discoveries of All Kinds

My fond memories of my high school English teacher, Marien Keyes, who persuaded me to memorize the first four lines of Chaucer’s Prologue to “The Canterbury Tales,” are echoed by a surprising number of readers.

Others also remember my geometry teacher, who threw chalk at me, made fun of my clothes, and repeatedly mumbled the word portion .

Patrick Wood of Palm Desert wrote of Miss Keyes: “As far as I’m concerned, she should not only be enshrined in the Teachers Hall of Fame, her name should lead all the rest. She changed my whole view of things. She opened doors that I never knew existed, doors that exposed wonders that to this day I explore and enjoy.”

He also remembers the geometry teacher: “Mr. McDaniels. I recall him as being a Harvard man, senile, an unkempt John Houseman. His penchant for using the word portion was always out of context. I was the recipient of most of his chalk casting. . . .”

Victoria A. Fromkin, UCLA professor of linguistics, writes of Miss Keyes: “She was the very best, most inspiring teacher I ever had. I, too, still remember the first four lines of the Prologue to ‘The Canterbury Tales.’ . . . On the day that I received my most treasured recognition--the UCLA Distinguished Teaching Award--I paid tribute to Marien Keyes, who taught me how to teach and how to care.”

Walter Trask of Pasadena also remembers Mr. McDaniels: “He was not limited to throwing chalk. He also threw erasers. With his back to the class and his face to the blackboard he would suddenly whirl around and let go with an eraser or piece of chalk with amazing accuracy.”

Marion C. Schultz of Canoga Park took Modern Books from Miss Keyes: “The energy and enthusiasm of this dynamic little woman fired all the class.”

Miss Keyes told me that knowing the first four lines of the prologue might someday open up a beautiful new friendship for me; perhaps I might meet a young woman of similar knowledge on a bus (though how Chaucer would come up she didn’t say).

Anne P. Frenberg of Van Nuys writes that she had that experience, not on a bus, but over a bridge table. “When Chaucer came up, I began ‘When that Aprille. . . .’ A voice at the table joined me, and suddenly a bond between us was created--to this very day. She is 85, I am 82. She called this morning and said, ‘Read Jack Smith and call me.’ After a few tears we chatted, cried a little, and felt like someone very special.”

Theresa Overing writes that knowing the prologue helped her get a job. A graduate student in USC’s School of Business, she was trying for a campus job as a teaching assistant in the department of business communication. A friend introduced her to the department chairman and urged him to demonstrate his knowledge of Chaucer.

“I joined in about the time ‘Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth . . .’ and was able to keep pace for several more lines.” She got the job.

Frances Eisenstein of Simi Valley writes that she was also required to learn the first four lines of the Prologue in Miss Scott’s English class at Shaw High, in East Cleveland. “For 55 years I’ve been searching for someone to appreciate my linguistic ability. . . . I’ve never met one person who ever understood those wonderful lines, but now at last there’s you.”

Maybe it isn’t the same as reciting the lines with a pretty young girl on a bus, but better late than never.

Karl Oldberg of Santa Monica did not have Miss Keyes for an English teacher. But his teacher at Evanston Township High School made him learn the prologue’s first four lines, and he turned in this parody:

Whan that Aprille with her shoures soote

The droughte of March hath perced to the roote

I druv a motor through Aprille’s bliz

Some forty mile, and darn near like to friz.

His teacher was not amused. She not only chastised him for mocking Chaucer, but, worse, for using slang and making Aprille feminine. Though he had enjoyed writing comic verse, he recalls, his teacher’s wrath discouraged him from it for years.

I feel quite sure that Miss Keyes would not have reacted that way. She would probably have applauded the lad for his ingenuity and given him an A.

After all, she encouraged me .