Deck 15: Philippe Lemoine and Rebecca Tuvel, “Feminism”

Question 1

When discussing challenges to intersectional feminism in her essay, Rebecca Tuvel brings up the risk that identity framed as injury takes center stage in one's self understanding. She explains the problem, namely that "preoccupation with a wounded notion of identity can also preclude more positive ways of understanding it." In your essay, consider the following question: What does it mean to balance an understanding of one's identity that includes both injury and more positive realities? Then, explain how your answer fits into the feminism debate, focusing on whether your account complicates or support an intersectional view.

Answer 1

Develop an argument that offers guidance on how one ought to balance both the reality of injury and positive notions in one's self-understanding
Link this answer to the wider feminism debate, explaining whether it complicates or supports Tuvel's intersectional view

Question 2

In his essay, Philippe Lemoine expresses concern with oppression both as a word and a phenomenon. In your essay, explain Lemoine's objection to standard feminist uses of this word. Do you think that he is right to say that people typically understand oppression to be about problems like racism, slavery, and the holocaust? Are there alternate views of oppression that are typically held? Be sure to include an example in your answer.

Answer 2

Explain Lemoine's objection to the word "oppression," as feminists use it
Either defend or object to Lemoine's claim that oppression is widely understood as pertaining exclusively to the most severe matters
Offer an example in support of the author's argument

Question 3

In their essays and replies, Philippe Lemoine and Rebecca Tuvel explain their understandings of the phenomenon of oppression. In your essay, highlight the differences between their views. Then, briefly describe the extent to which you take this issue to be a central one in the feminism debate. In other words, is feminism over if women aren't oppressed? Or is there more work for feminism to do quite independently of whether women are oppressed?

Answer 3

Provide textual support for each author's claim(s) on the nature of oppression
Develop a plausible argument that suggests the extent to which oppression is central to the feminism debate

Question 4

In his essay, Lemoine affirms that it's consistent to think both that women should enjoy the same rights as men and that _____:

A) They should be treated differently
B) They always have
C) Men don't need to respect them
D) They already do

Question 5

In his essay, Lemoine argues that one shouldn't use what word to describe how women are treated in contemporary Western societies?

A) Sexism
B) Oppression
C) Disempowerment
D) Harm

Question 6

In his essay, Lemoine agrees with which of the following claims?

A) Female politicians face significant gender bias
B) Men are systematically disadvantaged in a variety of ways
C) Overall, women have it worse off than men in society
D) Both women and men are oppressed

Question 7

In her essay, Tuvel argues that modern feminists have learned from early black feminists' insights when it comes to acknowledging the need for _____:

A) Diversity
B) Access to abortion
C) Intersectionality
D) Inclusivity

Question 8

In her essay, Tuvel describes the gender binary as being a number of things. Which of the following is NOT a way that she categorizes the gender binary?

A) Exploitative
B) Heteronormative
C) Enforcing of standards of feminine appearance
D) Punitive

Question 9

In her essay, Tuvel argues that we can know that a wrong took place without knowing what?

A) Whether anyone was harmed
B) The intent of the wrongdoer
C) The moment when it took place
D) The precise cause of the wrong

Question 10

In his reply, Lemoine argues that what is remarkable about Tuvel's conception of feminism?

A) It doesn't have anything to do essentially with women
B) It recognizes the ways in which men are disadvantaged
C) It fails to acknowledge the existence of racism, homophobia, etc.
D) It ignores the oppression that women face outside of the West

Question 11

In her reply, Tuvel offers an explanation for why feminists resist what idea?

A) Some forms of masculinity are toxic
B) Gender norms harm men and women equally
C) Men suffer various forms of male disadvantage
D) Women are more damaged by the dominant gender script

Question 12

Which author affirmed the following in their reply: "blanket statements about what all women or all men or all members of any category suffer must go out the window."

A) Philippe Lemoine
B) Rebecca Tuvel

Question 13

In his essay, Lemoine states, "I agree that women should have the same rights as men. I just don't think that's what "feminism" means anymore."