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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. Which of the women was never an immigrant?

2. In what year did Johnnetta and her husband move to Liberia?

3. What does the term "tweeded" refer to?

4. Which type of music does Bateson compare modern life to?

5. What does Erik do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changed Joan's mind about whether or not she could ever be a successful dancer?

2. What is the traditional male-female relationship, and how did this begin to change in the 1960s?

3. According to Bateson, how do today's values for a "good life" differ from traditional values?

4. According to Bateson, what is the main struggle of minority children living in America?

5. In what ways does Bateson use riddles to express the way individuals identify their personal convictions and ideals?

6. How did travel affect Mary Bateson's relationship with her husband, Barkev?

7. According to Bateson, how do rhythms affect life?

8. How do Joan and Erik collaborate on each other's professional projects?

9. What major breakthrough did Ellen make in her field of psychology?

10. How does Mary use the metaphor of a "crazy quilt" to explain society?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Homelessness is a huge theme in the book, both literally and metaphorically. First, describe the state of homelessness in Boston at the time of the book's creation. What did Mary learn about herself and her society as care givers based on her research into homelessness? Then, explain how the theme of homelessness is used as a metaphor in the book to discuss a woman's role, both in her family and her community. Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

At the end of the book, Mary has almost completely changed her attitude about caregiving and women in the primary role as caregivers. First, describe Mary's attitude about these topics at the opening of the book and compare/contrast that to her attitude at the end of the book. Then, citing specific examples from the text, trace Mary's change in attitude and consciousness based on the knowledge she gained from her interviews with the five women.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways is wisdom gained through life? Mary has very specific ideas about how one becomes "wise". Explain those ideas in a brief essay using one of the women in the book as an example. What path did this woman take in her pursuit of wisdom? What different types of wisdom did she gain? Do you think all her efforts were consciously in the pursuit of wisdom? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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