2. According to the author, challenges to to sisterhood can exist between white women and women of color; between which other groups does she say that they can exist?

3. What is the primary "point of contact" between the oppressor and the oppressed?

4. Overall, what does the author think about the effects of the feminist movement?

5. What is the main relationship discussed in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the 2000 Preface is the author's attitude towards change in the feminist movement positive or negative, and what examples does she give?

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

3. In Chapter Eight, "Educating Women - A Feminist Agenda," what does the author encourage black women to do regarding education and academic work?

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

5. How does the author discuss feminists views on housework?

6. In chapter Nine, "Feminist Movement to End Violence," how does the author describe the patriarchal perspective on gender.

7. How does war relate to the authors discussion of violence and women?

8. List several other critiques of violence that the author offers.

9. Describe the author's views of how modern western cultures deal with the process of change.

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. 12: The process of feminist-oriented change.

The final chapter of the book looks at the process of feminist-oriented change and what is required to enact that change. This essay will provide an overview of the author's critiques and her prescriptions for revolutionary feminist change.

1) Discuss the author's analysis of early feminist approaches to creating change. In what way do these approaches fall short?

2) Discuss the author's recommendation for enacting change: What kind of social analysis does the author call for? What kind of action does she call for?

3) Discuss the author's view of the process of change: What attitude is called for? Why is the process of change difficult for Americans in particular?

4) Do you believe that the change the author calls for is possible?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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