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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 first edition (1984), which two key terms in her analysis does the author introduce?

2. What must be learned in order for the feminist movement to be successful?

3. How does the author characterize black women's future role in the feminist movement?

4. For the author, what is a better way to arrive at a definition of sisterhood?

5. How does the author support her claims about the reception of black women's efforts in the early feminist movement?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What was the experience of many non-white and lower class women working outside the home?

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

4. Does the author see feminism as aligned with other struggles, and if so why?

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

6. What can alternative models of power accomplish, according to the author?

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

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

9. What does the author say about feminist writer Betty Friedan's book The Feminine Mystique?

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

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. 2, 3, and 10: Parenting.

Compare the author's discussion of the family in Ch. 2 and 3 with her discussion on revolutionary parenting in Ch. 10.

1) What is the author's thesis?

2) How can the family as a unit reproduce patriarchal ideas? E.g., how does sexism affect the family structure?

3) What role does feminism play in redefining family?

4) How can the idea of the family be reformulated so as to transform traditional models and ideas about motherhood?

Essay Topic 3

Essay on Ch. 3: Struggle against oppression.

In Ch. 3 the author argues against prioritizing struggles against different forms of prejudice and oppression.

1) Present some of the arguments by other writers that the author engages with and refutes regarding the prioritization of one struggle over another. What holes does she find in their logic?

2) Next, outline the authors ideas on this subject, paying attention to specific connections she makes in the text. How does the author link all these struggles together?

(see the answer keys)

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