How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #13
And whan I saugh he wolde nevere fyne
To reden on this cursed book al nyght,
Al sodeynly thre leves have I plyght
Out of his book, right as he radde.
(794-797)
One can read the Wife's attack on Jankyn's Book of Wicked Wives as her expression of frustration and anger at the entire antifeminist tradition, much of which is contained in texts just like this. Later, the Wife makes Jankyn burn his book, destroying it completely.