How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I spoke these words to God in my lament and a great deal more for a very long time in sad reflection, and in my folly I considered myself most unfortunate because God had made me inhabit a female body in this world. (1.1.2)
Christine starts this book feeling so down about her gender that she feels cursed for being born a woman. But don't worry, because three magical ladies are about to show up and tell her why being a woman is just as great as being a man.
Quote #2
[A city] where no one will reside except all ladies of fame and women worthy of praise, for the walls of the city will be closed to those women who lack virtue. (1.3.3)
When Christine de Pizan starts to build a City of Ladies, notice that it's not a City of Women. "Ladies" here means that de Pizan is only interested in inviting the greatest women who have ever lived. Apparently, she feels as though she should be in these women's company… and we'd be inclined to agree.
Quote #3
There Adam slept, and God formed the body of woman from one of his ribs, signifying that she should stand at his side as a companion and never lie at his feet like a slave, and also that he should love her as his own flesh. (1.9.2)
Many men interpret the Bible's story about Eve as proof that men are superior to women (since she came from Adam's rib). Christine de Pizan argues just the opposite, though, saying that Eve is a part of Adam and he's a part of her, which means they should live in mutual love. That said, de Pizan totally says at the end of this book that wives should always obey their husbands.