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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Rilke writes in one untitled poem, "Like the _____ of quickly grown-up girls / one braids differently."
(a) Hairpins.
(b) Lipstick.
(c) Ringlets.
(d) Pigtails.

2. In what year did Rilke write the "Woman's Lament" poems?
(a) 1865.
(b) 1925.
(c) 1935.
(d) 1911.

3. What does Rilke write about in conjunction with love and sex in Part VI of "The Seven Phallic Poems"?
(a) Worry.
(b) Death.
(c) Redemption.
(d) Guilt.

4. From what language has the author translated the poems and prose excerpts of "Rilke on Love and Other Difficulties"?
(a) Bohemian.
(b) German.
(c) Austrian.
(d) French.

5. In the introduction to "Rilke's Poems on Love," the commentator states that Rilke's imagery is all what?
(a) Surreal.
(b) Heavenly.
(c) Unnatural.
(d) Earthly.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rilke write that he holds to be "the highest task of a bond between two people"?

2. In introducing Rilke's love poetry, the commentator notes that the poet's sexual and sensual undertones are mostly overlooked because of the striking impact of what?

3. The commentator concludes the introduction to Rilke's love poetry in saying, "Rilke's poetry is somewhat precious and even _______."

4. What is the title of the poem which begins, "From indescribable transformation flash / such creations--: Feel! and trust!"?

5. According to Rilke, there is "scarcely anything more difficult" than what?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the untitled poems following "The Lovers," what imagery does the poet use?

2. What does Rilke write of "silence" in his untitled poems?

3. What metaphors does Rilke use for a woman's womb in The Seven Phallic Poems?

4. What does Rilke say regarding the institute of marriage and solitude?

5. What are the subjects discussed in the "Woman's Lament" poems?

6. In the untitled poems of "Rilke's Poems of Other Difficulties," how does Rilke write of the gods?

7. What is the subject and imagery in the poem "Magic"?

8. What happens when one gives oneself completely over to love, according to the poet?

9. What does Mood say in regard to Rilke's vision of Eros in the Prologue?

10. What is the poet writing about in "The Poet Praises"?

(see the answer keys)

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