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Wendy Doniger Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Wendy Doniger: Indology and Scholarly Contributions

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Wendy Doniger: Indology and Scholarly Contributions Study Guide

Biographical Foundations and Education

Wendy Doniger, born in 1940, is primarily recognized for her scholarly contributions to Indology and Sanskrit textual traditions, rather than American literature.

Answer: True

Explanation: The provided information indicates Wendy Doniger's primary field is Indology and Sanskrit studies, not American literature.

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Wendy Doniger completed her undergraduate studies at Radcliffe College and obtained her PhD from Harvard University, with a subsequent DPhil from Oxford University.

Answer: True

Explanation: Her academic progression involved Radcliffe College for her BA, Harvard University for her PhD, and Oxford University for her DPhil.

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Daniel H. H. Ingalls, Sr. supervised Wendy Doniger's doctoral dissertation at Harvard University, not Oxford University.

Answer: True

Explanation: Ingalls, Sr. was her advisor for her PhD at Harvard; Robert Charles Zaehner supervised her DPhil at Oxford.

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Wendy Doniger's doctoral dissertation at Harvard University centered on the mythology of Siva, with a specific focus on the themes of asceticism and sexuality.

Answer: True

Explanation: The dissertation completed at Harvard University explored the interplay of asceticism and sexuality within the mythology of Siva.

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Wendy Doniger's DPhil dissertation at Oxford University was titled 'The Origins of Heresy in Hindu Mythology', not 'Asceticism and Sexuality in the Mythology of Siva'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Her DPhil at Oxford focused on 'The Origins of Heresy in Hindu Mythology'; her Harvard PhD dissertation addressed 'Asceticism and Sexuality in the Mythology of Siva'.

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From which institution did Wendy Doniger earn her doctoral (PhD) degree?

Answer: Harvard University

Explanation: Wendy Doniger completed her PhD at Harvard University.

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Who served as the supervisor for Wendy Doniger's doctoral dissertation at Harvard University?

Answer: Daniel H. H. Ingalls, Sr.

Explanation: Daniel H. H. Ingalls, Sr. was the academic advisor for her doctoral research at Harvard.

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What was the specific title of Wendy Doniger's DPhil dissertation completed at Oxford University?

Answer: The Origins of Heresy in Hindu Mythology

Explanation: Her DPhil dissertation at Oxford University was titled 'The Origins of Heresy in Hindu Mythology'.

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Academic Career and Leadership

Wendy Doniger's tenure as a professor was predominantly at the University of Chicago, not Harvard University.

Answer: True

Explanation: While educated at Harvard, her long-standing professorial role, beginning in 1978, was at the University of Chicago.

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Wendy Doniger held the position of president for the American Academy of Religion in the year 1985.

Answer: True

Explanation: Records indicate that Wendy Doniger served as president of the American Academy of Religion in 1985.

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Wendy Doniger has been a member of the editorial board for the journal 'History of Religions' since 1979.

Answer: True

Explanation: Her long-standing involvement with the journal 'History of Religions' includes service on its editorial board commencing in 1979.

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Wendy Doniger holds the title of Professor Emerita of the History of Religions at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

Answer: True

Explanation: Her emeritus status reflects her long and distinguished career at the University of Chicago.

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Since 1978, with which university has Wendy Doniger been primarily affiliated as a professor?

Answer: University of Chicago

Explanation: Wendy Doniger has held a professorial position at the University of Chicago since 1978.

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In what year did Wendy Doniger assume the presidency of the Association for Asian Studies?

Answer: 1998

Explanation: Her leadership role as president of the Association for Asian Studies occurred in 1998.

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For which prominent scholarly journal did Wendy Doniger serve as an editor?

Answer: History of Religions

Explanation: Wendy Doniger held an editorial role for the journal 'History of Religions'.

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Who are identified within the provided text as Wendy Doniger's doctoral students?

Answer: Jeffrey Kripal and Alexander Argücelles

Explanation: Jeffrey Kripal and Alexander Argücelles are named as her doctoral students.

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Key Scholarly Works and Translations

The work 'The Origins of Evil in European Mythology' is not listed among Wendy Doniger's notable published contributions.

Answer: True

Explanation: Her significant works focus on Indian mythology and religious traditions, not European mythology.

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In 2010, Wendy Doniger delivered a lecture at the Art Institute of Chicago bearing the title 'The Lingam Made Flesh: Split-Level Symbolism in Hindu Art'.

Answer: True

Explanation: This specific lecture title and year are documented as part of her public academic engagements.

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Wendy Doniger's contribution to Microsoft's Encarta Encyclopedia was withdrawn following criticism, rather than being praised and widely distributed.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Encarta contribution was retracted due to political motivations and perceived distortions.

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Wendy Doniger's book 'The Hindus: An Alternative History' achieved bestseller status in India, concurrently encountering substantial controversy that led to a publisher recall.

Answer: True

Explanation: The book's reception in India was marked by both commercial success and significant public and legal challenges.

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Wendy Doniger has authored 16 books, not approximately 50.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source specifies a precise number of authored books, which is significantly less than fifty.

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Wendy Doniger has published works under both her maiden name, Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty, and her married name, Wendy Doniger.

Answer: True

Explanation: Her publication history includes works under both names, indicating she did not exclusively use her married name.

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Wendy Doniger served as the Vedic consultant for R. Gordon Wasson's seminal work, 'Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Her role as Vedic consultant on this significant publication is documented.

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Wendy Doniger collaborated with Brian K. Smith on a co-authored translation of 'The Laws of Manu'.

Answer: True

Explanation: This collaboration resulted in a significant translation of a foundational legal text.

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Wendy Doniger co-translated Vātsyāyana's Kāmasūtra alongside Sudhir Kakar.

Answer: True

Explanation: This joint effort produced a notable translation of the classical Indian text on love and relationships.

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Which of the following titles is notably absent from the list of Wendy Doniger's major published works?

Answer: The History of Western Religions

Explanation: The listed major works pertain to Indian traditions; 'The History of Western Religions' is not among them.

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What was the precise title of the 2010 lecture delivered by Wendy Doniger at the Art Institute of Chicago?

Answer: The Lingam Made Flesh: Split-Level Symbolism in Hindu Art

Explanation: The lecture title provided is 'The Lingam Made Flesh: Split-Level Symbolism in Hindu Art'.

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What was the ultimate outcome regarding Wendy Doniger's contribution on Hindu Religion to Microsoft's Encarta Encyclopedia?

Answer: It was withdrawn after criticism.

Explanation: The article was withdrawn following critiques regarding its political motivations and perceived distortions.

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According to the provided source material, how many books has Wendy Doniger authored?

Answer: Exactly 16

Explanation: The source explicitly states that Wendy Doniger has authored 16 books.

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With Brian K. Smith, Wendy Doniger co-translated which significant ancient text?

Answer: The Laws of Manu

Explanation: Her collaboration with Brian K. Smith resulted in a co-translation of 'The Laws of Manu'.

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With which psychologist did Wendy Doniger co-translate Vātsyāyana's Kāmasūtra?

Answer: Sudhir Kakar

Explanation: Her co-translator for Vātsyāyana's Kāmasūtra was the psychologist Sudhir Kakar.

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Scholarly Impact and Recognition

Indology is formally defined as the academic study encompassing the history, languages, literature, and philosophy of India and its associated regions.

Answer: True

Explanation: This definition accurately describes Indology, the primary field of scholarship for Wendy Doniger.

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Scholars have consistently characterized Wendy Doniger as a major, rather than minor, figure in the humanities since the 1960s.

Answer: True

Explanation: Her extensive body of work and influence have established her as a prominent scholar in the humanities.

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K. M. Shrimali regarded Wendy Doniger's 1973 publication concerning Siva as a path-breaking text, deeming it essential for postgraduate study.

Answer: True

Explanation: Professor K. M. Shrimali has lauded Doniger's early work on Siva as foundational and indispensable for advanced academic pursuits.

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Wendy Doniger primarily identifies her academic specialization as Indology and Sanskrit textual traditions, rather than archaeology.

Answer: True

Explanation: She explicitly states her inclination is towards textual analysis and Sanskrit studies, not archaeology or art history.

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Richard Gombrich characterized Wendy Doniger's 'Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook' as an intellectual triumph.

Answer: True

Explanation: The assessment by Indologist Richard Gombrich highlights the significant intellectual achievement represented by this work.

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Wendy Doniger has been honored with election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and received the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award.

Answer: True

Explanation: These recognitions signify her esteemed standing within academic and literary communities.

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Wendy Doniger's primary academic fields of specialization are listed as Sanskrit literature, Hinduism, and Mythology.

Answer: True

Explanation: These fields represent the core areas of her extensive scholarly research and publication.

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The succession box indicates Wendy Doniger received the Rose Mary Crawshay Prize in 2002; this prize is awarded for works concerning English literature.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Rose Mary Crawshay Prize is awarded for scholarship in English literature, and Doniger received it in 2002.

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Wendy Doniger's primary scholarly focus is on Indology, Sanskrit literature, and mythology, not Renaissance art history.

Answer: True

Explanation: Her academic career is dedicated to the study of Indian religious traditions and texts.

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What is Wendy Doniger's principal field of academic inquiry?

Answer: Sanskrit and Indian textual traditions

Explanation: Her extensive work and specialization lie in the domain of Sanskrit and Indian textual traditions, encompassing Indology.

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How have scholars generally characterized Wendy Doniger's position within the humanities since the 1960s?

Answer: A leading scholar in the field

Explanation: Her contributions have led scholars to describe her as a leading figure in the humanities.

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According to K. M. Shrimali, Wendy Doniger's 1973 work concerning Siva was regarded as:

Answer: A path-breaking work

Explanation: K. M. Shrimali described this specific work as 'path-breaking'.

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Wendy Doniger characterizes her primary academic approach as being focused on:

Answer: Engaging with Sanskrit texts

Explanation: She explicitly states her inclination and training are primarily with Sanskrit texts.

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Richard Gombrich's assessment of Wendy Doniger's 'Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook' was that it was:

Answer: Intellectually a triumph

Explanation: Gombrich's evaluation highlighted the work as an 'intellectual triumph'.

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Which of the following accolades has Wendy Doniger received?

Answer: PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award

Explanation: The PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award is among the honors bestowed upon Wendy Doniger.

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Controversies and Critical Reception

John H. Marr critiqued Wendy Doniger's book 'Asceticism and Eroticism in the Mythology of Siva,' citing a deficiency in regionalism and concerns about its length.

Answer: True

Explanation: Marr's review pointed to specific methodological and structural criticisms of this particular work.

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Michael Witzel characterized Wendy Doniger's translation of the Rig Veda as idiosyncratic and unreliable.

Answer: True

Explanation: Witzel's assessment contrasts sharply with the notion of the translation being standard or highly reliable.

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Beginning in the early 2000s, criticism from certain conservative Hindu diaspora communities centered on perceived inaccuracies and the application of psychoanalytic concepts in Doniger's scholarship.

Answer: True

Explanation: This highlights a specific line of critique directed at Doniger's methodology and interpretations.

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Aditi Banerjee accused Wendy Doniger of inaccurately quoting, rather than accurately quoting, the Valmiki Ramayana.

Answer: True

Explanation: The accusation made by Aditi Banerjee concerned alleged misquotations from the Valmiki Ramayana.

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Christian Lee Novetzke articulated that Wendy Doniger's scholarship has drawn criticism for perceived disrespect towards Hinduism, with particular contention surrounding her utilization of psychoanalytical theory.

Answer: True

Explanation: Novetzke's summary points to the psychoanalytic approach as a focal point for censure regarding the perceived treatment of Hindu traditions.

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Martha Nussbaum observed that American Hindu critics of Doniger's work did not exhibit a direct connection to the Hindu right-wing agenda prevalent in India.

Answer: True

Explanation: Nussbaum's commentary suggests a nuanced distinction between the critics' critiques and the political landscape in India.

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Wendy Doniger does not assert that her works fully represent the Indian perspective or subordinate external interpretations; rather, she acknowledges them as one perspective among others.

Answer: True

Explanation: Doniger acknowledges her work presents one perspective and does not claim to exclusively represent or subordinate Indian viewpoints.

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Varadaraja V. Raman advocated for greater sensitivity when analyzing sacred Hindu works, suggesting a need for careful consideration rather than less sensitivity, despite acknowledging Doniger's secular critique.

Answer: True

Explanation: Raman's stance emphasized the importance of sensitivity in interpreting religious texts, even while engaging with secular academic analysis.

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Scholarly reviews of 'The Hindus: An Alternative History' did not universally praise its historiography and focus; some critiques pointed to weaknesses in these areas.

Answer: True

Explanation: While some aspects were appreciated, reviews also identified shortcomings in the work's historiographical rigor and focus.

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A lawsuit filed concerning Wendy Doniger's book 'The Hindus' concluded with a settlement that included Penguin India recalling the publication.

Answer: True

Explanation: The legal action against the book led to a settlement involving the withdrawal of the book from circulation by its publisher.

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Wendy Doniger's translation of the Rig Veda has faced criticism and is not universally accepted as the most accurate or standard version.

Answer: True

Explanation: While a significant contribution, scholarly reception indicates varying degrees of acceptance regarding its accuracy and standardization.

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What specific criticism did John H. Marr articulate concerning Wendy Doniger's book 'Asceticism and Eroticism in the Mythology of Siva'?

Answer: It lacked the characteristic regionalism of the texts.

Explanation: Marr's critique focused on the book's perceived lack of regional specificity within the texts it analyzed.

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Michael Witzel's characterization of Wendy Doniger's translation of the Rig Veda was:

Answer: Idiosyncratic and unreliable

Explanation: Witzel's assessment described the translation as 'idiosyncratic and unreliable'.

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What constituted a primary point of criticism leveled by some conservative Hindu communities against Doniger's scholarly work?

Answer: Her use of psychoanalytic concepts to interpret Hindu subjects

Explanation: A significant criticism involved her application of psychoanalytic theories to interpret Hindu religious and mythological subjects.

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How did Pratap Kumar characterize the reaction of certain Indian scholars to Doniger's secular critique of Hinduism?

Answer: Defensive responses

Explanation: Kumar observed that Doniger's secular critique often elicited defensive reactions from Indian scholars.

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What was the resolution of the lawsuit filed against Wendy Doniger and Penguin Books concerning 'The Hindus: An Alternative History'?

Answer: Penguin Books agreed to recall the book as part of a settlement.

Explanation: The legal proceedings concluded with a settlement that mandated Penguin Books to recall the publication.

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Contextual and Structural Elements

An image caption stating 'Doniger in 2025' indicates that the associated photograph was taken in the year 2025.

Answer: True

Explanation: Image captions provide metadata about the visual content, including the presumed date of the photograph.

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The 'Authority control' section of the article provides links to various databases utilized for cataloging and standardizing information pertaining to Wendy Doniger.

Answer: True

Explanation: Authority control sections in scholarly articles serve to connect the subject to established bibliographic and archival systems.

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The 'See also' section references topics relevant to Wendy Doniger's work, such as A. K. Ramanujan and Censorship in India, not unrelated fields like modern physics.

Answer: True

Explanation: 'See also' sections typically link to related subjects or individuals pertinent to the article's main topic.

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The Navbox dedicated to Presidents of the Association for Asian Studies facilitates user navigation to a list of past presidents of that organization.

Answer: True

Explanation: Navigational boxes (Navboxes) are designed to enhance user experience by providing quick access to related content within a larger structure.

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