(LINES 345-364) STUDENTS explain the old woman's function in the tale based on her speech to the knight. (Her purpose or function is to bring the knight to a
greater understanding of what it means to be a good person. She is supposed to
reform or redeem him.) Why does Chaucer make her speech so long? (The
length of this speech gives the knight a chance to absorb what she is saying and
gives Chaucer the opportunity to develop his themes. It also adds strength to
the argument because the old woman provides many supporting examples and
details.)