What is the author's tone in The Book of the City of Ladies by Christine de Pizan?

Christine de Pizan reflects meekness, disbelief and uncertainty about the status of women throughout the novel, whereas Lady Reason, Lady Rectitude and Lady Justice are more passionate and emotional in their defense of the virtue of women. Using this tone of incredulity, Christine de Pizan allows her character as a narrator to become more objective; this allows her to emulate the female readers who may believe what they have always heard of the negative qualities of women. By allowing Lady Reason, Lady Rectitude and Lady Justice to convince her of the virtues of women, Christine de Pizan avoids being the person who is attacking the male authority of books that claim women are immoral.

Additionally, the use of examples of immoral women serves to contrast with the good women in terms of showing how much better these women are as well as by admitting that not all women are virtuous. Comparatively, Lady Reason, Lady Rectitude and Lady Justice also cite examples of immoral men to enforce the idea of equality; though some women are immoral, some men are immoral as well. Because the tone allows the book to appear impartial as opposed to a tyrannical, fanatical rant, it makes it more likely that readers will heed what they read.