π POWER AND POLITICS
π WORKING WITH WORDS
A. Find the words from the text for these meanings. The first letters have been given for you.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Reluctance | unwillingness or disinclination to do something. |
| Repressive | preventing the expression or awareness of thoughts or desires. |
| Mutilation | the infliction of serious damage on something. |
| Ghettoized | restricted to an isolated or segregated place, group, or situation. |
| Herstory | feminist history viewed from a female or specifically feminist perspective. |
| Genital | relating to the human or animal reproductive organs. |
| Hysterectomies | surgical operations to remove all or part of the uterus. |
| Paranoid | obsessively anxious, suspicious, or mistrustful. |
| Eventuation | thrusting forward of abdominal organs through the abdominal wall. |
B. Complete the chart.
| Verb | Noun | Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| commit | commitment | committed |
| nurture | nurturance | nurturable |
| legitimate | legitimization | legitimize |
| oppress | oppression | oppressive |
| defense | defensiveness | defensive |
| victimize | victimization | victimized |
C. Consult a dictionary and define these terms.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Racism | the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another. |
| Lesbian | relating to gay women or to homosexuality in women. |
| Radical | forming an inherent or fundamental part of the nature of someone or something. |
| Feminist | the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. |
| Patriarchy | a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it. |
D. Underline the consonant clusters in the following sentences.
a. Fluffy went flip-flop all over the floor.
b. The whites sing a song about the striking stars.
c. Here are some flowers and a flask of tea of your favourite flavour.
d. Smita fell ill with flu.
e. My friend is frightened of frogs.
f. Thumbelina stumbled out of the green bush.
g. She heard a rumble and a cry.
h. βClimb upβ, said Tom.
i. Freedom needs to be strived for.
j. Children were munching crunchy French fries.
π COMPREHENSION
a. Why does Audre Lorde think that Mary got a sort of victory in the University of Boston?
=> Answer: Audre Lorde regards Mary's experience at the University of Boston as a form of success because Mary was pleased by the large participation of women in the speak-out. The gathering demonstrated that women could come together and make their presence felt. Their unity could help women obtain more room to express their ideas, develop their abilities, and strengthen their position.
b. Why is Lorde thankful to Mary?
=> Answer: Lorde expresses her appreciation to Mary because Mary presented her with the book Gyn/Ecology. She found the book useful and intellectually stimulating. The thoughts contained in the work encouraged her to reflect more deeply and gave her ideas that she considered meaningful and empowering.
c. What impression has the writer had about the way white women looked upon black women?
=> Answer: Lorde feels that white women's attitude toward Black women was often disappointing. She believed that many white women did not adequately listen to or understand the experiences of Black women. Instead of creating genuine communication, their attitude could leave Black women feeling ignored, misunderstood, and frustrated.
d. Why did Mary not cast black women as goddesses in her book according to Lorde?
=> Answer: Lorde explains that Mary limited her discussion to the experiences and mythology of Western European women. Because the book concentrated on that particular historical and cultural perspective, Black women were not represented as goddesses within it.
e. Why did Lorde think that she misused her words?
=> Answer: Lorde felt that her statements had been taken from their intended context and used against her. Instead of considering the meaning behind her words, they were treated as evidence against her as a woman of colour.
f. For Lorde, how were women, especially from the black community, undervalued?
=> Answer: Lorde believes that Black women were placed in a secondary position because their experiences were interpreted through a white, Western European, patriarchal framework. Their own histories and identities were not considered equally important. As a result, the voices and realities of Black women were pushed aside.
g. How does Mary take white women as? Does Lorde agree with Maryβs view?
=> Answer: Mary regards white women as superior to women from non-white communities. She presents the history and mythology of white women as the legitimate central history and mythology of women as a whole. The histories of non-white women consequently appear only as decorative illustrations or examples of female victimization.
No, Lorde does not accept Mary's position. She challenges the idea that white women's experiences should dominate discussions of women's lives. She particularly objects to Black women being used merely as decorative figures while their own history, suffering, and oppression are overlooked.
h. What is Afrekete? How does it connect to this lesson?
=> Answer: Afrekete symbolizes the collective tradition and expression of Black lesbian writing. It relates to the lesson because the writer emphasizes the need to recognize Black women's voices, experiences, and literary contributions. It represents the inclusion of those perspectives in Black women's literature.
π CRITICAL THINKING
a. βThe oppression of women knows no ethnic or racial boundaries.β Do you agree or not? Justify with your reasons.
-> Answer: Yes, I agree that the oppression of women exists beyond particular racial and ethnic boundaries. Gender discrimination has appeared in different societies and cultures, although its specific forms may differ from one community to another. Women in many parts of the world have had to struggle for equal rights, opportunities, respect, and social recognition.
For a long period of history, women were denied rights that were available to men and were frequently treated as socially inferior. Even today, gender discrimination can be seen in areas such as employment, wages, education, social freedom, and personal security. Women may still experience violence, unequal treatment, and restrictions on their opportunities.
Education provides a clear example of this inequality. In some communities, families give greater importance to the education of sons than daughters. Girls may be prevented from attending school because of traditional beliefs, financial difficulties, or social expectations. In certain situations, cultural practices and institutional policies can create additional obstacles.
Women's work is also frequently undervalued. They perform large amounts of household labour and unpaid care work, yet these contributions are often not recognized in the same way as formal employment. This can make their economic and social contribution appear smaller than it actually is.
Thus, women's oppression is not limited to one race, ethnicity, culture, or geographical region. Women from different backgrounds may experience discrimination in different ways, but inequality based on gender remains a widespread concern. Equal rights, education, dignity, opportunities, and protection should therefore be available to all women.
b. Why is it important to question our beliefs and values? How are they set up in a personβs mind?
-> Answer: Questioning our beliefs and values is necessary because not every idea we accept is automatically correct. Examining our assumptions helps us decide whether they are reasonable, fair, and based on sound understanding. Such self-examination can make people more mature, compassionate, open-minded, honest, and mentally independent.
People sometimes avoid questioning their beliefs because familiar ideas give them a sense of security. They may worry that challenging an established belief will make them uncertain. Nevertheless, careful reflection can reveal whether a particular belief has beneficial or harmful consequences.
We should examine our own ideas with the same objectivity that we use to evaluate other people's opinions. When we discover that something we believe is wrong, acknowledging it provides an opportunity for improvement. Revising an inaccurate belief requires both honesty and courage.
A person's beliefs and values develop gradually through various influences. Family, culture, traditions, education, society, personal experiences, and relationships with other people all play important roles. Many of these influences begin during childhood, so certain ideas become deeply rooted in the mind before they are consciously examined.
For this reason, people should periodically reconsider their beliefs instead of accepting every inherited idea without thought. This process helps them develop independent judgment and a more rational way of understanding themselves and the world around them.
βοΈ WRITING
B. Write an article for a national daily on βThe Status of Women in Nepali Society.β
The Status of Women in Nepali Society
Nepal contains a wide variety of geographical landscapes, cultures, ethnic groups, and religious traditions. However, patriarchal practices continue to influence the lives of women in many communities. Women may still be placed under the authority or expectations of fathers, husbands, and sons. Social attitudes, cultural traditions, and sometimes legal and institutional structures can strengthen these patterns. Therefore, women's position in Nepali society is closely associated with the prevailing patriarchal system, cultural values, legal rights, and government measures directed toward women's development.
The condition of women differs from one ethnic community to another because social customs and cultural practices are not the same throughout the country. Even with these differences, women make substantial contributions to the economic and social well-being of their families and communities. Much of this contribution, however, remains unnoticed because household duties and traditional responsibilities are frequently considered ordinary obligations rather than valuable forms of work.
Women's health continues to be an important concern in Nepal. Early marriage remains present in some communities, and teenage girls may become wives and mothers before reaching adulthood. Early pregnancy can place young mothers at serious health risk and may contribute to maternal deaths and other complications.
Gender inequality can also be observed in education. Historically, women's literacy rates and involvement in higher and technical education have been lower than men's. Traditional attitudes and cultural practices contribute to this difference. In some rural communities, girls may be described as "paraya dhan" or someone else's property. Such a belief can discourage families from giving the same educational importance to daughters as they give to sons.
Women's economic participation also faces several difficulties. A large portion of women's labour consists of domestic duties and unpaid care work, which is frequently excluded from formal measurements of economic activity. As a result, women's actual contribution may be underestimated. Their representation in professional and formal employment also remains limited. Even women who obtain professional qualifications may encounter social and economic barriers when attempting to enter or advance in particular occupations.
There has been noticeable progress in the status of women in Nepali society, but many difficulties still need attention. Equal access to education, healthcare, employment, wages, legal protection, and decision-making opportunities is essential for achieving genuine equality. Women's labour and achievements must be properly recognized, and they should enjoy the same rights and opportunities as men. Such changes are necessary if women are to participate fully and equally in Nepal's overall development.
π GRAMMAR
B. Choose the correct alternative.
a. an old foreign car / a foreign old car
=> Answer: an old foreign car
b. a beautiful white dress / a white beautiful dress
=> Answer: a beautiful white dress
c. a nice tall young man / a tall nice young man
=> Answer: a nice tall young man
d. a big black wooden desk / a black wooden big desk
=> Answer: a big black wooden desk
e. a delicious Italian pizza / an Italian delicious pizza
=> Answer: a delicious Italian pizza
f. a huge brown bear / a brown huge bear
=> Answer: a huge brown bear
g. a purple cotton sleeping bag / a cotton purple sleeping bag
=> Answer: a purple cotton sleeping bag
h. a beautiful old Indian village / an old beautiful Indian village
=> Answer: an old beautiful Indian village
i. a cute little kitten / a little cute kitten
=> Answer: a cute little kitten
j. an expensive antique table / an antique expensive table
=> Answer: an expensive antique table
C. Put the adjectives in the correct order.
a. I bought (red / a / comfortable / new) scooter.
=> Answer: I bought a comfortable new red scooter.
b. She reached home and sat on (relaxing / old / her / wooden) chair.
=> Answer: She reached home and sat on her old relaxing wooden chair.
c. We ate (Chinese / delicious / some) food.
=> Answer: We ate some delicious Chinese food.
d. I need (golden / delicious / some / round) apples.
=> Answer: I need some delicious round golden apples.
e. We like to live in a (calm / unmediated / remote) place for some time.
=> Answer: We like to live in a calm unmediated remote place for some time.
f. She is wearing (silver / beautiful / a(n) / old) ring.
=> Answer: She is wearing an old beautiful silver ring.
g. I am looking for (golden / stylish / a / Japanese) watch.
=> Answer: I am looking for a stylish Japanese golden watch.
h. She dropped (old / china / attractive / a(n)) cup and smashed it.
=> Answer: She dropped an old attractive China cup and smashed it.
i. He wants to marry (young / pretty / educated / a(n) / rustic) girl.
=> Answer: He wants to marry a pretty young educated rustic girl.
j. We stayed in a (luxurious / five star / new) hotel in Dubai.
=> Answer: We stayed in a new luxurious five-star hotel in Dubai.