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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. When does the deadening of a person to the presence of sin get refreshed, according to the author?

2. What does the soul become enkindled with during the dark night, according to Book II, Chapter X?

3. In Book II, Chapter I, what does the beginning Christian become after passing through the dark night?

4. In Book I, Chapter XII, the soul develops a fear of what during the dark night?

5. Where do the afflictions of the second night of darkness affect a man, as stated in Book II, Chapter VII?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Book I, Chapter XII, what is the main benefit for the soul as it travels through the night of darkness?

2. How does God determine how severe a person's trial will be through the dark night?

3. In Dark Night of the Soul, what is the difference between habitual imperfections and actual imperfections?

4. How does the author compare divine light to sunlight?

5. What are some of the benefits described in Book I, Chapter XIII of a soul that has been purified by the dark night?

6. How does the author compare the use of fire to the purification process a person experiences during the dark night?

7. In Book II, Chapter V, what reasons are given for the dark night to be named "dark" and not "light"?

8. What does St. John say must change in a person in order for the divine and the human to exist within the same person?

9. What is the purpose of the Dark Night of the Soul as described in the prologue?

10. What are the three types of pain that result from human and divine meeting in one, as discussed in Book II, Chapter VI?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The knowledge and the experience of the dark night, as well as the ladder of spirituality, are considered secret. These occurrences are even defined as indescribable. With supporting examples, answer the following:

1) Why are the experiences of the dark night and the ladder of spirituality labeled as secret?

2) How does a person learn of the secret things from God? How does God leave no trail of his teachings?

3) Why are there no words to describe the learning the soul gains after passing through the dark night?

Essay Topic 2

The concept of the dark night was originally expressed in St. John's poem "The Stanzas of the Soul" which he expounds upon in Dark Night of the Soul. Answer the following questions with support from the text:

1) How does "The Stanzas of the Soul" influence the way Dark Night of the Soul is written?

2) How does the imagery of the poem aid the reader in understanding Dark Night of the Soul?

3) How does the poetic imagery of the poem portray the dark night differently than the text in Dark Night of the Soul?

Essay Topic 3

The length of the dark night of spirituality and how much pain a soul has to endure is different for every person. Using supporting examples, please respond with an essay to the following:

1) Why does the duration of the dark night and the amount of pain experienced by a soul vary from person to person?

2) Who has the final say in the duration and intensity of the dark night?

3) What is the fate of a soul who is chosen to have extremely intense darkness?

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