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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. The poet says the he would die into _______, as clouds might disappear into the sun, according to his writings.

2. The __________ is the reason for the praying, according to Allah, as Rumi recollects in one of his poems.

3. Rumi talks to the reader about the desired kiss as the _________ coming up into the lips of a person.

4. Rumi notes that everywhere a reader goes, they will perceive others as they themselves are, just as a _________ will ignore the amazing city of Baghdad.

5. The poet speaks of being locked in a _________ and of someone who brings him good and forgives him.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Barks ask a reader to do in relation to being in a state of spirituality?

2. What is essential in the windows of one heart to another, according to the writings of Rumi?

3. What does Rumi say that he doesn't regret in his life, according to one of his poems?

4. Why does the poet say that it is not necessary to grieve, according to the writings of Rumi?

5. What does the teacher say about speaking scripture, according to the writings of Rumi?

6. What does Barks say that openings are a place for, according to his commentary in this section?

7. What happens during the chess game between Shams and Rumi, according to Barks?

8. What happened as a result of Zuleikha loving Joseph so much that he became everything to her?

9. What do the Sufis think about love and about its ability to help people, according to the book?

10. What does Rumi have to say about the gamble of love and what does he urge the reader to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The concept of translating poems from one language to another is tricky as one can never be sure whether the translation is 'right.'

Part 1: Do you think that an accurate translation is better than one which is more thoughtful?

Part 2: How do you think a poem might change during the course of being translated?

Part 3: Why do you think Coleman Barks thought it necessary to translate these poems?

Essay Topic 2

The story of Shams and Rumi is one which plays out from one page to the next in this book, a story of friendship and the sharing of knowledge.

Part 1: Why do you think Shams and Rumi got along as well as they did?

Part 2: Why do you think Rumi still felt the need to be competitive with Shams?

Part 3: Do you think all relationships are competitive on some level? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Rumi says that the emptiness inside of a person is what allows for music to be sung and heard.

Part 1: What do you think Rumi means by the emptiness inside of a person?

Part 2: Do you agree that having emptiness is essential for creating music in one's life?

Part 3: How do you think a person can cultivate emptiness in order to create music in one's life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 720 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample