The Prioress tells a tale set in an Asian town dominated by the Jews in which usury and other things hateful to Christ occurred. The Christian minority in the town opened a school for their children in this city. Among these children was a widow's son, an angelic seven year old that was, even at his young age, deeply devoted to his faith. At school he learned a song in Latin, the Alma redemptoris, and …showed first 75 words of 812 total…

…showed last 75 words of 812 total…describes the Prioress as sympathetic emotional woman who would weep over the death of a small mouse. She can extend her sympathy to small children and other easy targets, but cannot find room for true mercy or compassion. Although it would be a mistake to consider the tale as a blatant attack on anti-Semitism, for it would project modern liberal sensibilities into Chaucer's work, the tale certainly condemns the Prioress for her cheap emotional responsiveness.