Women and Writing in Medieval France and Japan

Catalog description

An introduction to women poets and prose writers from early court cultures, with emphasis on what these authors show us about their social environment and civilization. What did the pen or writing brush enable them to express and achive? How were they able to negotiate the gaps between a male classical literary language and their own vernacular speech? What kinds of literary approaches and conventions were perfected by them? How did they view their personal social status? What educational, moral, and spiritual concerns did they voice? Readings: works by Murasaki Shikibu, Sei Shônagon, Heloise, Marie de France, Christin de Pizan, plus shorter texts written by both men and women between 700 and 1450 C.E.