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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 in the book are looking for "symmetrical relationships"?

2. What metaphor does Joan use to describe her relationship with the doctors after the inclusion of her activities program?

3. How was the MIT Alice was very close to killed in New York?

4. Which of the women coined the term "tweeded"?

5. What does Bateson claim helps a woman "discover underlying convictions that are steady throughout life"?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Bateson, what do humans tend to believe about society?

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

3. What does Bateson believe is the next big step for humanity across the world?

4. According to Johnnetta, what does the term "tweeded" mean in academia?

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

6. How did Johnnetta use her academic experience to change the definition of what it meant to live "as a black woman"?

7. According to Bateson, what are the benefits of cooking without a recipe?

8. What is significant about Johnnetta's physical appearance?

9. What conclusion does Mary come to about the success of relationships in academia?

10. In what ways does Bateson claim she puts her husband's needs before her own?

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

Mary uses the poem "The Ode of Imru'u I-Qays" to describe an important point about the lives of modern women. First, summarize the story of "The Ode of Imru-u I-Qays" and explain why Mary chose this poem as her example. Then, argue whether or not this example is still relevant in today's society. In what ways does this poem support and negate from Mary's main theme of "composing a life"? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Bateson describes, in detail, the marriages of five women. What stresses does Bateson claim complicate a marriage, particularly as illustrated in the marriages explored in the text? Choose two marriages and describe the stresses that have affected the foundation of these marriages, and the solutions Bateson gives for these women, and others, to balance the stress of romance, homebuilding, and a professional life. Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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