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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. According to Mary, what does a true artist take and turn into a masterpiece?
2. To what food item did Joan compare her first home with Erik?
3. Which word completes the following sentence: "All of the women in the book have repeatedly salvaged the capacity for ______________ in an imperfect system"?
4. Who does Mary claim creates the most amount of work for a woman in the household?
5. In what situation does Mary describe men act as caregivers?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why didn't Mary ever become president of Amherst University?
2. In what way does "The Ode of Imru'u I-Qays" support Mary's arguments about multiple lives?
3. What prompted Mary's identity crisis after high school?
4. What does Mary hope to write about in her next book?
5. What two metaphors does Mary use to describe her emotions in dealing with the Amherst presidency?
6. Why did Jon need a blood transfusion when he was young?
7. At what times in their lives did Alice and Johnnetta most remember sharing, particularly food?
8. What does Mary mean when she says that all five of the women in the book are "conservers"?
9. In what ways does Johnnetta's home define her life?
10. What is Mary's definition of wisdom?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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 2
In chapter seven, Mary Bateson makes the statement that Americans are more comfortable giving things away completely than sharing. What do you think Bateson means by this saying? Do you agree with her? Why or why not? Finally, explain how you think this statement relates to the five women presented in the novel. Does this statement summarize any one woman or relationship in the text? If so, how? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.
Essay Topic 3
In the opening of the text, author Mary Catherin Bateson discusses the ways the role of women in the household has changed in today's modern times. First, describe the traditional role of women. Then, compare and contrast that role to the role Bateson describes as the role of the "modern" woman. Finally, choose one woman whose life is explored in the text and describe how that woman's life emulates Bateson's modern woman. Do you think this woman is happy in her improvisational life? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.
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This section contains 1,101 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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