Preview
This chapter examines how literacy was depicted in Christine de Pizan's 1405 book Livre de la Cité des Dames. It analyzes the ways de Pizan shaped her different writerly personae to articulate a complex vision of empire that included prominent roles for female scribes, prophets, evangelists and governors. This chapter highlights the similarities between the stories of de Pizan and Dido and suggests that de Pizan used Dido as a key allegorical figure in attempting to establish her authority in a milieu where she was doubly an alien.
Keywords: Christine de Pizan; female scribes; female prophets; female evangelists; female governors; literacy; Dido; writerly personae
Chapter. 2453 words. Illustrated.
Subjects: Literary Studies (1500 to 1800)
Go to University Press Scholarship Online » abstract
Full text: subscription required
How to subscribe Recommend to my Librarian
Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content. Please, subscribe or login to access all content.