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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. Kristeva points out that there is a corresponding amount of importance placed upon social status in societies where the autonomy of women is relatively what?

2. What type of sea creatures are forbidden from being eaten, according to the Old Testament?

3. In some societies, Kristeva says a person who is defiled becomes clean how?

4. Though Kristeva says it is impossible to tell the exact order of causality, notions of what also play a large part in purity customs?

5. What religion does Kristeva say states that impurity is something which can never be obliterated?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to class theory, how are the drives of an individual divided?

2. How does Kristeva say Christianity uses separation and division?

3. What does it mean when Kristeva says she gives a "phenomenological" account of the abject?

4. What does Kristeva say is the most plausible interpretation of the laws regarding ritual impurity in the Old Testament?

5. What rules come with the permission to eat meat in the Old Testament?

6. How does Kristeva say incest relates to the abject?

7. What example does Kristeva give phobias which involves beautiful women?

8. How does Kristeva explain phobias?

9. How does Kristeva says the abject can be expressed?

10. What does Kristeva say about how the New Testament contradicts the traditional Christian thoughts about the origin of sin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Celine use female characters to disrupt the traditional model of the Oedipal triangle? What are some of the female characters he uses? What are their characteristics? How do these characters differ from the ones in the triangle? What roles are reversed or distorted? What seems to be Celine's goal with these characters? What does it seem like he wants the reader to feel?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the idea that Kristeva wrote her book from a feminist perspective. Describe three instances where Kristeva talks specifically about women and their roles in society, history, or religion. What ideas does she have about women that seem to point to feminism?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the theme of language throughout the book. What does Kristeva seem to think about language and how it can be used? What reason does Kristeva give for why the abject exists outside of language? How can people relate to the abject if not through language? What do you think is the purpose of trying to explain the abject through an essay if it can cannot be felt through words?

(see the answer keys)

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