Marxist criticism focuses on plot, character and actions which are motivated by tension between social classes and between populations and economic power bases.
The Pardoner is a man who uses the means at his disposal, however corruptly, to survive in a system that keeps people economically subjugated.
Marxist criticism sees the Church in medieval times as primarily a social - human structure. It held enormous power over people both spirtually, and crucially, economically.
The Pardoner is someone who infiltrates the power socio- economic organisation (the Church), ignores its spirtual dimension and uses his skill to extract personal gain from it.
He is far from a perfect role model because he doesnt relieve the Church itself of any wealth, but diverts the income stream it relied on from poor believers to his own pocket.
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