Print
Word
PDF
|
| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. According to Mary, what does a quilt keep out?
2. What does Bateson claim is the unifying thread of all the women she discusses in the book?
3. What is Mrs. Erickson's first name?
4. What type of marriage does Jack have with his wife?
5. How many sisters did Ellen have growing up?
Short Essay Questions
1. How did Johnnetta's relationship with her husband change after they moved to Africa?
2. How do Joan and Erik collaborate on each other's professional projects?
3. What changed Joan's mind about whether or not she could ever be a successful dancer?
4. How does Mary use the metaphor of a "crazy quilt" to explain society?
5. According to Bateson, what does it mean to have a symmetrical relationship?
6. What does it mean to Mary to live in "a life in flux", and how did this affect her choosing of which women would appear in the book?
7. According to Bateson, what are the benefits of cooking without a recipe?
8. According to Bateson, how is life like jazz music?
9. What does it mean for one to compose their life as an "emergent vision"?
10. According to Bateson, what role do successful parents play in ensuring, or deterring, the success of their daughters?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Throughout the novel, Bateson struggles to balance her definitions of marriage and partnership, particularly in relation to societal definitions of the same relationships. First, describe Bateson's definition of a perfect marriage. How does this marriage compare/contrast to Bateson's definition of a perfect partnership? In your opinion, is it possible to have both a perfect marriage and perfect partnership by Bateman's definitions? Why or why not? Finally, compare/contrast Bateman's definition of marriage with society's definition of marriage. In your opinion, will these two definitions ever merge? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.
Essay Topic 2
When discussing ugliness and pain, Mary often uses the metaphor of art to make her point about "composing a life". First, discuss Mary's analogy of art and masterpieces, particularly in relation to ugliness. Then, explain at least two characteristics one must have in order to be considered an "artist" in their own lives. Finally, explain whether or not you agree with Mary's advice to the "artists" in the world, and why. Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.
Essay Topic 3
Alice is one of the key women whose relationship is a focal point of the book. First, describe Alice's relationship with Jack: how did they meet? What was their courting process like? In your opinion, what was the biggest strain on Alice's relationship with Jack? Why was Alice hesitant to take her relationship with Jack to the next level? Finally, describe how Alice's life was changed when Jack moved in with her, and how she coped with her lonely life after Jack's death. What do all these elements tell the reader about Alice herself, and about Bateson's opinion of marriage and partnership? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.
|
This section contains 1,249 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
|
