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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. To what does Ginsberg compare the natural item?

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

3. Ginsberg had an ambition to become which of the following?

4. The boy often has what?

5. How are people's lives described?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the setting and characters featured in the poem? What is the main activity?

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

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

5. How does the poem end? What is the inference of things to come?

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

7. How should one behave in the giving and receiving of love? Where does this habit originate?

8. What is one of the main themes in this poem? To what does Ginsberg compare the flower?

9. What path of thought does the item inspire?

10. When was AN ASPHODEL written and what is the main theme of the poem?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the Beat Generation and Ginsberg's part in it. How did it start? Who was involved? What were the basic tenets? How did it change the arts/social/political climate in the US? How long did it last? When did it end? What became of the influential members of the Beat Generation after the next new wave of artists hit the scene?

Essay Topic 2

IN THE BAGGAGE ROOM AT GREYHOUND discusses Ginsberg's views about what goes on in a bus station. Explain the purpose of using this particular location. What does Ginsberg see? What is unusual about the people? Describe the interaction between Ginsberg and the workers and passengers. What do the workers represent? What can one learn from performing such observations? Take a similar personal experience and compare and contrast it with Ginsberg's experience at Greyhound.

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.

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