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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Sulpicia do when her husband, Lentulus Cruscellio, is exiled?

2. Who does Ghismonda take as a lover?

3. Who is asked to reign as Queen of the City of Ladies?

4. Whose counsel restores her husband to Emperor Justinian's favor?

5. Who grieves to death when Tiberius puts Germanicus to death?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Curia save her husband from exile and death?

2. Who is Ulysses's wife, and why does Rectitude praise her?

3. How does Xanthippe demonstrate her love for Socrates?

4. What happens when Rectitude finishes her portion of the City of Ladies?

5. How do the Lombard women prevent themselves from being raped?

6. Describe the story about Bernabo and his wife.

7. How does Judith save the Jews from Holofernes?

8. What results from Thisbe's mother's disapproval of Thisbe's love for Pyramus?

9. What question does Christine ask that causes Rectitude to offer Julia, Pompey's wife, as an example to refute the claim?

10. What are at least two examples of men being foolish by ignoring their wise wives' advice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Investigate "The Book of the City of Ladies" as a feminist novel. How does it adhere to and differ from the typical feminist novel? What changes could be made to mark it more clearly as a feminist novel? What changes could be made to prevent critics from classifying the novel as a feminist novel?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Christine de Pizan writing herself into this novel as the main character? How does this affect the readers' response to the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Reason, Rectitude, and Justice. How are their relationships with Christine similar and different?

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