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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 believe that it is important to define feminism from within the movement?

2. For the author, which two main terms had been left out of feminist discussions when she first published her book?

3. What are some of the biggest challenges to sisterhood?

4. Were there ever alternate reactions to black women's efforts to participate in the early feminist movement, and if so what were they?

5. What did she notice about white female students at the time?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What significant effect can feminism have on the family?

3. Is the author clear about her position on women who define feminism as seeking equality with men?

4. In Chapter Seven, "Rethinking the Nature of Work," why does the author take issue with early feminist attitudes toward work?

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

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

7. In Chapter Four, does the author agree with early feminist definitions of sisterhood?

8. What differences and similarities does the author see between black men and white men?

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

10. Does the author offer any ideas about how to create sisterhood?

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. 8: Women and education.

Provide an overview of the author's discussion of the role of literacy in relationship to feminism. Analyze her recommendation that women of color should seek to further their education and intellectual development in order to participate more in feminist theory and the feminist movement.

1) The author promotes literacy as a solution to the problem of many women-especially women of color- being excluded from the feminist movement. How does promoting literacy address the problem of exclusion? What other things does literacy accomplish (e.g. furthering feminism's goals, dispelling stereotypes, etc.).

2) Does promoting literacy address the problem of feminist writing being too academic and intellectual, and therefore inaccessible? What is the author's recommendation for dealing with this problem? Is this a realistic solution in your view?

3) Are there other solutions that the author does not suggest? For example, are there ways to dispel stereotypes, promote feminist goals, and educate women about feminist issues that do not include promoting higher educating and intellectual development. In your view, how can women who do not wish to become intellectuals participate in the feminist movement?

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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