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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. In the Preface to the second edition, what is the first factor considered by black parents when a child is born, according to the author?

2. What change to the language expressing involvement in feminism does the author advocate?

3. In general, the title of Chapter 1, "Black Women - Shaping Feminist Theory," relates to which of the following ideas?

4. What does the author say about the statement: "I am a feminist"?

5. In the Preface to the second edition (2000), how does the author describe the original reception of her book?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Who harbors sexist attitudes and what can be done about it?

5. Describe the early feminist view on parenting stated in Chapter Ten, "Revolutionary Parenting."

6. 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?

7. Which two kinds of power does the author discuss in Chapter Six, "Changing Perspectives on Power"?

8. Do early feminists beliefs about violence support traditional patriarchal concepts of gender?

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

10. How does the author feel about including men in the feminist movement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Essay on Ch. 9: Women and war.

In Ch. 9 the author discusses the nature of violence against women and the phenomenon of violence in general. She uses war as an example of how women, too, demonstrate a capacity for violence. In your essay, think about the connection between traditional beliefs about gender and the author's analysis of women and war. Use quotations by the author to support your argument where necessary.

1) Discuss the author's position on how war is an example of women's capacity for violence.

- How do women support war?

- Does women's support for war, and their encouragement of male family members to go to war, seem to come from and reinforce traditional beliefs about men's and women's natures (e.g. aggressive, nurturing, etc.), whether innate or culturally learned?

2) Is condoning war the same as condoning violence? What can you gather about the author's views on war? Following the author's thinking, is war an example of using violence as a form of social control?

3) Does encouraging women (and gay men) to participate in the military and in war promote social equality?

4) If violence is a manifestation of hierarchy and power, what do women have to gain or lose from participating in war?

Essay Topic 2

Essay on Ch. 6: Traditional and alternative models of power.

In Ch. 6 the author elaborates on traditional and alternative models of power and their relationship to women and the feminist movement. Discuss the central points of her analysis.

1) First, provide a brief definition of traditional and alternative models of power.

2) Next, discuss how and why early feminists understood and reacted to power.

3) Follow with a discussion of the author's observation about these feminists' ambivalent relationship to male-defined models of power.

4) Finally discuss how and why the author sees women of color and working class white women as examples of alternative models of power.

5) How do you view her assessment?

Essay Topic 3

Essay on Ch. 2: Definition of feminism.

In Ch. 2, the author advocates ending sexist oppression as a better definition of feminism.

1) How does the author define sexist oppression and how does ending sexist oppression differ from previous definitions?

2) What social institutions (e.g. the family) will potentially be changed by this new definition of feminism?

3) Does the author advocate a more comprehensive approach to fighting all forms oppression in general? How?

(see the answer keys)

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