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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. In Chapter 1, Kristeva gives what kind of account of the abject?

2. Kristeva quotes "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" from what book of the Bible?

3. In the Old Testament, Adam was punished for eating from what?

4. What religion does Kristeva say states that impurity is something which can never be obliterated?

5. When looking at Old Testament laws, the eating of meat was forbidden to man prior to what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What rules come with the permission to eat meat in the Old Testament?

2. How does Kristeva say Christianity uses separation and division?

3. Explain Kristeva's idea of the "zero state."

4. What does Kristeva say happens when one stops trying to seek out the "Other"?

5. What does Kristeva say are the two prevailing interpretations of the laws regarding ritual impurity in the Old Testament?

6. How do some societies try to purify a "defiled" person?

7. How does Mary Douglas explain the idea that impurity about the body is a phobia derived from the abject?

8. How does social status play a role in purity customs in India?

9. How does Kristeva say incest relates to the abject?

10. How does Kristeva says the abject can be expressed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Celine use female characters to disrupt the traditional model of the Oedipal triangle? What are some of the female characters he uses? What are their characteristics? How do these characters differ from the ones in the triangle? What roles are reversed or distorted? What seems to be Celine's goal with these characters? What does it seem like he wants the reader to feel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the notions of separateness in Jewish ideologies and laws. How did other ancient religions view god? Why does Kristeva say that the notion of uniqueness is what inspires Jewish law? Why, according to Kristeva, do Jews value their uniqueness? In what way do the Jewish laws portray separation? How does this relate to the Jewish views on impurity?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the use of rites and laws in the book. Why does Kristeva make use of these concepts? What are they examples of? How do rites and laws attempt to combat the abject? What does Kristeva seem to think of these rites and laws?

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