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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. Why do Hercules and Theseus invade the Amazons?

2. Who fights Vespasian at her husband's side?

3. To Cato's claim that attractive women are like roses with thorns underneath, what does Reason say the thorns represent?

4. Who disputes the idea that women's weak bodies make them inferior and undermines moral qualities?

5. Who are the three Jewish women to whom God grants the gift of prophecy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Reason respond to Christine's question about why male authors slander women?

2. In Section 1, Parts 28-36, what allusions to Greek and Roman mythology does Reason make?

3. How does Reason define good judgment?

4. Who does Rectitude begin with when she dictates the order in which Christine must arrange the valuable stones, and why is this significant?

5. Who are the Amazons, and how do they live?

6. How will the three ladies help Christine build the City of Ladies?

7. When Christine asks if God gives women an aptitude for learning, how does Reason respond?

8. Describe Christine's opinion about being female before the three ladies appear to her, and explain why she feels this way.

9. Once the buildings are finished, what does Rectitude tell Christine?

10. In Section 1, Parts 37-41, what inventions are listed, and who makes them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do Lady Reason, Lady Rectitude, and Lady Justice explain their use of pagan women as examples of virtue and honor?

Essay Topic 2

How does the first person point-of-view enhance and inhibit the story? How would the novel be different if a different point of view were used?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the reason for building the City of Ladies.

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