The effect of portraying characters in writing can leave an impressionable mark on the reader's mind. These descriptions can lead the reader to infer the type of character they are reading about or how they feel about a particular character. Sometimes, as we read, things that seem certain can be ambivalent. Chaucer's descriptions of his characters in "The General Prologue" are written in such a way that the characters appear to do things for the welfare of others or appear to have overly praised traits. However, they may actually embody insincerity, selfishness and greed. In “The General Prologue” from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, the Parson and the Pardoner, both involved members of the church, are described in reverse to provide the reader with two entirely different effects. The Parson is shown to be pure and selfless while the Pardoner, who appears to be good-natured, is actually not. The character of Parson is described differently than any other character. There is nothing in the entire poem to suggest that the Parson has anything but good intentions. “There was, and poor, the parish priest in a city, / Yet he was rich in holy thoughts and works” (Lines 489-491). Chaucer's description of the Parson is that, although he is very poor, the Parson is continually devoted to his religion: "rich in holy thoughts and works." The Parson doesn't live a luxurious life either; instead he lives a life of simplicity. [“…both from the offerings of the church and from his property [so he lived]”] (Lines 13-14). Overall, the Parson is a poor priest who lives on what he has. He never has any doubts about his life, as Chaucer says: "No scrupulosity had revived his feelings" (line 536). In life, a little m... half a paper... such and pig bones. These are supposed to represent Mary's veil, the cross and the sacred bones of the saints. However, these are all tangible things. He tricks the reader into thinking he is doing good and tricks the people of the time into giving money to the church so discreetly that if one were to read quickly, his deception would not be noticed. Both descriptions of the Parson and the Pardoner give the reader different thoughts about each of them. Chaucer does not simply tell the reader who he is and how he lives, but the reader must decode clues given by tone and other literary devices. Sometimes things aren't always as they seem. By reading literature and trying to find clues as to what the author is trying to say, you will always encounter new types of characters, people and ideas that will remain ingrained in your mind forever..