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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. Why does the author hold her particular beliefs about prioritizing struggles against different forms of prejudice?

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

3. Who has portrayed the relationship between feminism and the family in this way? (See question # 61)

4. According to the author, how are joint analyses of race, class, and gender seen today?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the title of Chapter One, "Black Women - Shaping Feminist Theory," relate to the content of the chapter?

2. What is problematic for the author regarding early feminist views of parenting and motherhood, and what can be changed?

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

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

5. Why does the author want to change feminist language from "I am a feminist" to "I advocate feminism"?

6. In Chapter Three, "The Significance of the Feminist Movement" how does the author describe her understanding of feminism and the family?

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

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

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

10. In the author's view, are feminists ambivalent about power?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Essay on Ch. 1: The mainstream feminist movement.

In Ch. 1, the author goes into great detail regarding the weaknesses of the mainstream feminist movement.

1) Discuss the role of race and class in the author's critique. Why and how is mainstream feminist theory classist and racist? Provide specific examples from the text.

2) In the second part of your paper, discuss why and how less privileged women's perspectives can alter (and have altered) feminist theory.

3) What is specific to less privileged women's vision and perspectives that more privileged feminists have overlooked?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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