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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 Hebrew religion, what could only be touched through sacrifice?

2. What do rituals of purification incorporate, as described by Douglas?

3. What are Douglas' rules of pollution concerned with?

4. What is the only thing that can control danger, according to Douglas?

5. What does Douglas believe maintaining purity stems from in primitive cultures?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Israeli rejection of dirt. How is it destructive and creative at the same time, in Douglas' view?

2. Describe the treatment of ambiguities as described in Chapter 10.

3. Why is dirt regarded as being a powerful part of a ritual, according to Douglas?

4. How do escapism and realism relate to the dirt and primitive cultures that Douglas describes?

5. Describe the structure of witchcraft that Douglas explains.

6. Describe the enforcements of harmony that Douglas introduces.

7. What are the disadvantages to disorder that Douglas poses?

8. Describe the structure of the Lugbara.

9. Why does Douglas state that pollutions are dangerous?

10. How is dirt related to madness in the cultures described in the reading?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the four types of pollutions that Douglas introduces. Give one example of each in primitive culture and in modern culture. How do these cultures overcome pollutions?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the rationale behind classifying animals. If you were to classify animals, would your method be comparable? Why or why not? Why do you think the animals are categorized this way?

Essay Topic 3

Assess the argument for primitive cultures being more modern than primitive. Argue for or against this claim and provide at least 3 sources of evidence.

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