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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. Who uses the building most?

2. What body of water is nearby?

3. According to Ginsberg, people's bags are filled with what?

4. Where is the child's father?

5. What color is the natural item?

Short Essay Questions

1. What childhood memory of politics does Ginsberg recall? How do those memories affect the present?

2. What is the child thinking about? How does it relate to his family?

3. What path of thought does the item inspire?

4. What is the poet's feeling about physical passion and the enjoyment of it?

5. What is the setting for this poem? When was it written?

6. In what room in his apartment does the poet talk about his needs? What is his condition?

7. How does the theme affect each person? Where does it appear?

8. What is at least one of Ginsberg's comments about the racks and baggage?

9. Where does Ginsberg work in this poem? What is his position? What are people waiting for?

10. What is the point of the poem? What is the poet's conclusion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ginsberg refers to Carl Solomon's stint in a mental institution. Examine Ginsberg's tales. Do you think they are true or false? Why? Compare and contrast today's institutions with ones commonly found in the 1950s. Discuss different treatments, effectiveness, facilities, etc. Also discuss the common use of shock treatments as a method of curing insanity.

Essay Topic 2

Although there may have been difficult times post World War I and World War II, Ginsberg speaks a lot about gratitude. Why is gratitude so important? How is it possible to be grateful in the face of poverty or war? What is Ginsberg's opinion on material possessions? Explain what Ginsberg meant by having riches beyond material things. Write an opinion on simplicity versus materialism.

Essay Topic 3

In BACK OF THE REAL Ginsberg mentions Jesus and the crown of thorns. Why did Ginsberg choose this particular symbol? Give examples off types of symbolism used in this poem. How does Ginsberg use the crown of thorns as a metaphor? What does the metaphor represents Are there other flowers are plants that might have worked better than the crown of thorns? Does the juxtaposition used help or hinder the poem? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 636 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample