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1. In the Preface to the First Edition (1984), what reasons does the author give for people finding themselves on the margins of society?

They are placed there by perceived disadvantages of race, gender, income, and education. For example, a person on the margins might be a low-income African American women who has not been able to receive an education. A single mother on state assistance is another example of someone on the margins.

2. What reasons does the author give for people finding themselves at the center of society?

These people are placed there by "advantageous" manifestations of those same characteristics (e.g. a white, upper class man).

3. Describe the particular perspective that the author offers throughout her work. What position does she claim to write from and why?

The author claims to write from "the margins" in order to show the shortcomings of feminist perspectives and theories that come solely from the center. She says that she writes from the perspective of a woman of color who comes from a disadvantaged background and whose views and experiences have not been included in mainstream feminist theory.

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