The Voice of Reason
Throughout history, women are seen as inferior, and submissive to man. A shadow to their male counterparts. Women are perceived as weak, and docile. Impulsive, and driven by the flesh. In Christine De Pizan, women are seen in a new light. Women are strong, and endearing, women are faithful, virtuous. Women are beautiful. They are goddesses.
Christine is a scholar in pursuit of knowledge. Christine is a thinker who questions the ideas set forth by men. Christine however, is troubled by the times, and a bit lost. Confused. She gives into the view that women are moved by vice, and are imperfect. Despite her better judgment, she is mislead into believing these ideas. Christine is a troubled women, indecisive, and fearful.
Suddenly lady reason, or her voice of reason, would appear, to steer her back on the true and right road. Lady reason is a metaphor, this is her conscious telling her to stay true to her beliefs. Reminding her of the great women of the past. Christine is mentally tired, anguished. Lady reason provides her with clarity, and comfort. Christine always knew what these ladies came to remind her of. Her conscious is speaking to her.
Women are strong beings, and can never allow themselves to forget who they are. Christine has found herself vulnerable, and choose to abandon her beliefs. Her conscious has come to her rescue as depicted by the three ladies. Women of the past, present, and future, are great. Women are virtuous, and noble. No matter what ideals men may try to pass on about females, a women most never forget her worth. Their have been women who have defeated armies, and conquered nations. The true beauty of a women is displayed through Christine in her vulnerability. Christine ultimately comes back to the straight and narrow path. A display of her strength.
2 responses so far
I agree with you. Christine de Pizan is a strong, intelligent, self motivated person who stands for what she believes in. Even though she faces a moment of weakness in the moment after she read a demeaning book about women. It’s normal to be faced with obstacles that would make one want to give up. Christine did not fully give up. Aided by Lady Reason she was able to overcome this and became intellectually stronger than she was before.
you are right. Women are used to be described as inferior and submissive to man in many books. however, Christine de Pizan was not like other women. she is more active and is able to pursue her intellectual interests. but there are a kind of social restriction what women can do and what cannot do. Christine may knew she is stronger while overcoming difficulties rather than giving up.