Christine de Pizan was one of the first feminist authors in the history of literature. She wrote many poems and books voicing her opinion on the injustice women of her time faced. One such novel is The Book of the City of Ladies. In a visionary dream, Christine is visited by Ladies Reason, Rectitude, and Justice. The three ladies inform Christine that God has chosen her to build an allegorical city in which to defend womankind, using examples of female virtue and achievement both from the past and her own day as the stones with which to build the city's walls and towers. Reason provides materials for the foundation, Rectitude helps to build the walls, create the moat, and lays out the city, and Justice adds the finishing touches to the high towers and places. With the creation of this city, Christine forms a sort of utopia for all women by providing powerful positive images of women, ranging from warriors, inventors and scholars to prophetesses, artists and saints. She also offers a fascinating insight into the debates and controversies about the position of women in her medieval culture.
             Much of The City of Ladies was inspired by events in the author's life that sparked some animosity as to how women have been portrayed and treated throughout history. Christine de Pizan was born in Venice around 1364. She was the daughter of an educated physician, Tommaso di Benvenuto da Pizzano. He was a graduate of the University of Bologna, where he continued to be a lecturer in astrology. In the medieval period the study of constellations was strongly believed to be connected to medical practice (Life and Triumphs). Christine's father moved from Venice to France where became a court astrologer. Christine's exposure to the royal women in the French court formed an impression on her that lasted most of her life. In The Book of the City of Ladies, Christine praises many French queens and other ladies of royal stand...