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By God, if women had written stories, As clerks had within here oratories, They would have written of men more wickedness Than all the mark of Adam may redress.
Geoffrey Chaucer
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Interpretation

What this quote means

If women had the same opportunities as men to write, their stories would reveal men's flaws and wickedness.

In this quote by Geoffrey Chaucer, the speaker reflects on the historical disparity in opportunities between men and women, particularly in the context of storytelling and literature. It suggests that if women had been allowed the same voice and platform as their male counterparts, their narratives would likely expose the darker aspects of male behavior, illustrating a critique of societal norms that have silenced women and the implications of that silence on the portrayal of morality in literature.

Themes

WomenStoriesWickednessMenLiterature

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about gender representation in literature, this quote can highlight the need for diverse voices.

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For oute of olde feldys, as men sey,_x000D_ _x000D_ Comyth al this newe corn from yer to yere;_x000D_ _x000D_ And out of olde bokis, in good fey,_x000D_ _x000D_ Comyth al this newe science that men lere.
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