Format: Write a five to seven page, typed, double-spaced paper on one of the following topics.  Note: as this assignment is essentially a thought piece, formal citation apparatus is not really necessary.  All this means is that you don't have to use formal footnotes or endnotes. You DO have to make reference to the text, and to provide citations to the text in the form of parenthetical page references.

Due-Date: Tuesday November 23, or by arrangement with instructor

Assignment: The point of the assignment is for you to assess Christine de Pizan as a writer and defender of women.  Read Christine's Treasure of the City of Ladies.  As you read, consider the following: what is Christine's purpose in writing this book? For whom is it written? What does she hope that the audience will take away from it?  How does Christine justify her arguments (consider here both the structure of the text - with the three Ladies guiding her - and her use of evidence, examples, and authorities). What does the text reveal about Christine's education - who has she read? What picture of female literacy is presented by Christine the author and by the content of the Treasure of the City of Ladies?  Then write an essay addressing one of the following questions:

 1. What are the traits of the ideal women according to Christine?  Do Christine's ideas about women support, challenge, or modify traditional medieval gender stereotypes?

 2. For Christine, is class or gender more important in determining an individual's ideal behavior?  That is, does gender (male vs. female gender roles) or social status matter more? Why?

 3. Is Christine a revolutionary? Why or why not? How?

I am happy to talk with any student about her/his thoughts for any of these paper topics.  Please stop by during my office hours or email to set up an appointment.

Reminders:
 1. You must support your arguments with detailed textual analysis. This means you must marshal specific evidence and/or language from the text to prove your points.
 2. "Proof" doesn't always come in the form of direct quotations. Many students believe that ‘supporting their argument' can only be achieved by providing a great number of block quotations.  Yet keep in mind that block quotations are only necessary when your argument depends on the precise language of the quotation; often it is far better to describe the quotation in your own words (still providing a citation to the appropriate page) so as to incorporate the sense of the quotation/passage into your argument.

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