The Book of the City of Ladies

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The Book of the City of Ladies (1405) was Christine de Pizan's response to Giovanni Boccaccio's De mulieribus claris (On Famous Women), as well being part of a larger intellectual discussion in that era centered on works such as the Romance of the Rose by Jean de Meun.

Pizan presents an allegorical society in which the word "lady" is defined as a woman of noble spirit, instead of noble birth. The book deals with a number of women of past eras, mostly saints, whom Pizan wished to offer as examples of the potential that women had to lead noble lives and contribute to society.

Also included are didactic exchanges among three allegorical goddesses (Reason, Rectitude, & Justice) and de Pizan. Lady Reason, Lady Rectitude, and Lady Justice ask Christine to create a metaphorical city where all the noble women can live. First, says Lady Reason, Christine must excavate the earth and clear away all past assumptions that writers in the past have believed. Then, using reason, she must create her own beliefs. Thus the city will have a solid foundation rather than one built on sand, and a wall for its defense. Second, says Lady Rectitude, the buildings (symbolizing virtues) must be built. And third, says Lady Justice, the city must be populated, symbolizing women following their virtues and proving that women are not evil creatures born of vice. Pizan asks the goddesses if women should be taught as men are and why men think women should not be educated. Other questions that are explored are: the criminality of rape, the natural affinity in women to learn, and their talent for government.

[edit] References

• Kenneth J. Atchity (1996), The Renaissance Reader, (HarperCollins Publishers: New York), pages: 25-29, ISBN 0-06-270129-0
• The Treasure of the City of Ladies by Christine de Pizan, (Penguin Classics) ISBN 0-14-044950-7