Piers the Plowman: Langland's dream vision of social and spiritual reform

Piers the Plowman, the famous dream allegory of William Langland, is a big blow to the prevalent hypocrisy of Medieval England society. Medieval England came across many upheavals which included the arrival of Anglo-Saxons, the Norman Conquest, the Feudal system, the Black Death, the Hundred Years’ War, the Peasants’ Revolt, and the War of the Roses. A society that was divided into a pyramid of sorts. A pyramid that was comprised of clergy and nobles at the top, in the middle there were scientists, craftsmen, and other artisans while the bottom was occupied by the peasants chiefly. This study aims to investigate the journey of the protagonist ‘Will’ and how the poem serves as a form of spiritual and social reform would also be evaluated. This allegorical narrative of Langland is supposed to have been written in the 14th century. The poem is a true manifestation of social satire and examines the themes of morality, social justice, and spirituality.William Langland beautifully teaches the aim of human birth through a series of dream visions along with that of appropriate social reform.The poem is mainly divided into three texts i.e., texts A, B, and C. It revolves around the central character ‘Will’, and exemplifies his spiritual journey along with the materialistic hurdles that come his way. The poem is a true embodiment of Christian values, where we find Langland suggesting ways to reform the corrupt Medieval society of England. Each vision comprises certain symbols, depicting and relating to some or the other form of materialism and propounding ways to stay aloof and unaffected by the same. Peasants or the common men find a special mention in the poem. Their struggle for life and their plight are portrayed by the author in the backdrop of symbolism.