Here's how:
* The Frame Story: The tale itself is nested within the larger frame story of the Canterbury Tales. This allows the Wife to present her perspective as a fictional narrative rather than a direct statement of her own beliefs.
* The Allegory: The tale is an allegory about the nature of power and the role of women in marriage. While the surface story is about a knight who must answer a riddle about what women desire most, the underlying message is about female agency and the complexities of marital relationships.
* The Ambiguity: The Wife's ending is ambiguous. It's open to interpretation whether she truly believes the lesson she presents or if she's simply playing with the expectations of her audience.
By disguising her opinions within a fictional narrative, the Wife of Bath can subvert the expectations of her time and present a powerful argument for female autonomy.