1. What is the author's approach to discussing feminism in Chapter Two, "Feminism - A Movement to End Sexist Oppression;" i.e. how does she structure the chapter?

2. What is the traditional view on motherhood that the author relates in Chapter Ten?

3. What is unique about black women's perspectives?

4. What doe the author mean when she says that black women have no "institutionalized other."

5. Why is educating women a "feminist agenda," as the title to Chapter Eight suggests?

6. Does the author mention different branches of the feminist movement in Chapter Eight, and if so what kind of relationship do they have?

7. Describe the author's discussion of early feminist attitudes towards men.

8. Does the author offer her own definition of feminism in Chapter Two, and if so, what is it?

9. From the author's perspective, is theory related to experience in her discussion in Chapter One?

10. Does the author still believe in her work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Essay on Ch. 7: Women and work.

From the beginning of the feminist movement, work has been an important issue in feminism. In this paper you will discuss early feminist views of work, as well as the idea of a gendered division of labor (e.g. housework as women's work, and therefore as devalued).

1) Describe traditional beliefs about work and gender. What kind of work was seen as men's work and what kind of work was seen as women's work? Do we still see these ideas reflected in contemporary society?

2) Quoting the text, discuss early feminist views of housework and of work outside the home. Does the rejection of housework by women reflect society's devaluation of so-called "women's work."

3) What is the author's critique of this early view, e.g. how is the early feminist idealization of work outside the home connected to traditional beliefs about success?

4) How can changing attitudes about work in and outside of the home assist in addressing the imbalances perpetuated by traditional, gender-biased beliefs?

Essay Topic 2

Essay on Ch. 11: Sexual liberation.

Sexual liberation comes across as problematic in Ch. 11.

1) Why is the (male-defined) idea of sexual liberation problematic for the author?

2) Does it seem like our contemporary society promotes sexual liberation? Give examples of why or why not.

3) In your opinion, does the author's promotion of freedom from conforming to one model, and tolerance towards all sexualities, go far enough in addressing, or redefining the male-defined models of sexual liberation?

Essay Topic 3

Essay on the two Prefaces, Ch. 12, and the book as a unit: Personal review of the book.

In the two Prefaces, the author introduces the notion of revolutionary feminism. She explains what it is and why U.S. feminism has not created revolutionary change. The author reintroduces the term in Ch. 12.

1) Review the homework in which you discussed the term "revolutionary." Has your understanding of the author's definition of revolutionary feminism expanded after reading the book? How?

2) Do you feel that the book itself is revolutionary?

3) Do you see any areas of the book that seem contradictory?

4) Does the book ultimately achieve its objective of being accessible to everyone?

5) Does society still need books such as this one to provide a "guiding light" for social change?

(see the answer keys)

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