Acknowledgements

One of the pleasures of a first book is the opportunity given to its author to thank publicly those who have helped him in one way or another. The present book is based on my doctorial dissertation completed at East China Normal University. I have to first and foremost thank my supervisor, Prof. Liu Naiyin, who introduced, or in a sense forced me to enter such an academic terrain brand new to me, which turned out to be so fascinating: the medieval studies. He set a model for me with his academic penetration and preciseness, as well as his personal integrity. His vision in this field impressed me and directed me to the right route in the exploration of the present subject, while his sympathetic support when I was on the lowland in my academic exploration and personal life was always warm and encouraging. I could not imagine the present dissertation is possible without his guidance and help.

My six-month-stay in Oxford in 2005, helped with a grant from Jiangsu Overseas Academic Exchange Fund, is vital in widening my vision and upgrading the edging academic information. Prof. Malcolm Godden of the University of Oxford, who was also chair of the panel of my proposal judgment, made my visit to Oxford possible and pleasant. I would thank Prof. Vincent Gillespie of the University of Oxford for his being so supportive in providing advice on the subject. His remarks on Chaucer's literary strategies of presenting questions but leaving them open are especially inspiring to my discussion of Chaucer as an enlightener. Prof. Helen Cooper of the University of Cambridge is not only helpful because of her meticulously-written work on Chaucer. More than that is her constant academic and spiritual support. She never hesitates to help. I still remember clearly how nice she was to come a long way by bike to meet me in her office despite the heavy rain when I visited her in Cambridge! The reading list she recommended me, and the stimulating suggestions she gave me are significant in helping me frame my dissertation, especially the part on Chaucer's role of a counselor or a critic. These genius and generous people have helped better my understanding and interest in English medieval literature in general, and made my particular research on Chaucer go smoothly. Given all the help I received, any errors, for all my best attempt to avoid, I claim sole responsibility.

I would convey my cordial appreciation on my affiliated college: School of Foreign Languages and Cultures of Nanjing Normal University, which jointly funded my trip to the UK. I was supported to be away from work for one term in 2005 during my stay in Oxford as a visiting scholar, and for another term in 2007 for my academic visit to Chinese Social Science Academy. I was even privileged to have the accommodation financed by my school. I would like to thank my colleagues who understood me and helped share myteaching assignments. Thanks will be extended to all the teachers and fellow researchers for their ongoing encouragement and help.

I also wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to the many scholars who compiled, edited, and wrote about Chaucer. My main debt to the scholarly and critical work is listed in the selected bibliography.

My most profound debts are owed to my family. This dissertation would never have been possible without my husband Liu Hui's understanding and support. Though in a quite different field, he has spoiled my absence from time to time, one and a half year stay in Shanghai, half year in Oxford, another half year in Beijing! Thanks are to be extended to my mother Ma Youbi, who has taken such good care of the whole family since I started my PhD studying! Knowing nothing about English, she has been always ready to share my feelings, high or low. And I would also thank my son Liu Ruguan, who has kept my company along my academic journey from his primary school to his junior middle school. I guess he might be among the very few junior students in China who knows Chaucer! My gratitude to them is beyond words. I will always bear them in my heart!