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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. Where does Veblen say scholars fit in the social spectrum?

2. What distinction does Veblen say separates men and women?

3. What distinguishes devout structures from other buildings?

4. What does Veblen say is the motive for ownership?

5. Vicarious leisure results in what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is emulation, and how does it function in society?

2. What do expensive clothes say about a person?

3. How does the individual consumer think of his conspicuous waste?

4. How are churches and ornate buildings related to conspicuous waste?

5. How does the leisure of the leisure class affect the servants?

6. How have women's clothes demonstrated that the woman does not engage in productive employment?

7. In what way is dress an example of conspicuous waste?

8. How does the clergy demonstrate vicarious leisure?

9. Where does the institution of a leisure class appear in the development of culture?

10. How are the different social classes distinguished?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how "The Theory of the Leisure Class" applies to two professions: one where the profession fits Veblen's language very well, and another where Veblen's language does not apply as neatly.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the role Darwinian thinking plays in "The Theory of the Leisure Class." Is Veblen simply applying Darwin's ideas to society, or is he using Darwin's ideas as tools to show things Darwin's theories would not have described?

Essay Topic 3

Are members of the leisure class the pacesetters and leaders of a culture, or are they the most conservative members, slowest to change and adapt to new cultural conditions?

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