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

2. What is Joan's main priority in life?

3. Which of the following subjects is of most interest to Joan?

4. Which of Bateson's parents left for long work duties during the war?

5. How does Bateson feel about using a recipe when cooking?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Bateson, what role do successful parents play in ensuring, or deterring, the success of their daughters?

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

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

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

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

6. What did Mary learn about society while visiting her mother's work with her?

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

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

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

10. How did Johnnetta's relationship with her husband change after they moved to Africa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter four, Bateson takes an aside to explain what she thinks about society, specifically in regards to culture in society. First, describe how Bateson believes cultures function within society. Historically speaking, how does society respond to culture? What does Bateson believe is the next big change societies need to make to truly create a "crazy quilt"? Then, choose one of the women in the text and describe how their work - either professionally or personally - has striven to alter the way culture is viewed in society. Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In the opening chapter of the text, author Mary Catherine Bateson uses various metaphors and similes to express the ways women in today's modern society have been living improvisationally, and how this lifestyle affects society as a whole. Choose two of the metaphors you believe are most poignant in describing an improvisational life and describe how Bateson weaves these metaphors throughout the text. Then, argue why you believe these metaphors accurately depict the life of a modern woman. Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Food becomes an important centerpiece for Mary to explore the roles of women in the household. First, describe the relationship Mary has to food, particularly the preparation of food, and compare that to the relationship one other woman in the book has with food. How does Mary think food affects the role of women in the household, and how does she think food should be represented in our western culture? Do you agree with Mary's arguments? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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