week 13 reading notes: canterbury tales - part b

 "The Prioress's Tale: Little Hugh" link to story

• This story briefly touches on the topics of religion - specifically, Judaism and Christianity in Europe. It is based on an anti-Semitic legend that is popular throughout Europe. There is a young boy named Hugh, who is the son of a widowed mother. He was a curious boy and wanted to learn the hymn called "O Alma Redemptoris," which he learned was dedicated to Christ's dear Mother, aka Virgin Mary. Hugh sang this hymn constantly and beautifully that it bothered Satan so much. Satan convinced the Jewish people living in the same quarter to abduct Hugh. Then, Hugh had his throat slit and his body thrown into a pit. But his mother searches for him and eventually finds his body. By some miracle, Hugh was still able to sing, so he sung "O Alma Redemptoris," which attracted his mother and a group of Christians. The Christians call for a provost, who declared the Jews guilty and to be executed. Before Hugh died, he explained how he was still able to sing by the grace of Virgin Mary. 
• Hugh is unashamed and unsuspecting; he just loved to sing, but he also was proud of his love for Christ's Mother. 
• It was kind of dark story, especially at the part where the murderer cuts Hugh's 

"tiny throat and cast[s] his little body down into a pit." 

• If I were to retell the story, I don't want to offend anyone, so I would create a different plot - something lighthearted and playful. Perhaps, not related to religion. 
• Or the story could be retold from Hugh's point of view.

A drawing of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Source: Pixy)

Bibliography: This story is from The Chaucer Story Book by Eva March Tappan.