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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 can the fifth step of the ladder of love be compared?

2. According to St. John, on what step does the soul seek to do something worthy of God without any favor from God?

3. In Book II, Chapter XXI, what color represents the garment of faith?

4. What does that author say the soul finds after passing through the dark night?

5. What does the author say the soul experiences, even during the dark night?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does St. John say happens to the soul after it has become enkindled and starts yearning for God? What would happen if the fire were to go away?

2. What are the three properties the soul gains after passing the dark night, as described in Book II, Chapter XXV?

3. How does a purifying fire of love affect the souls of humans and angels in relation to a closeness with God as described by the author?

4. How does the soul speak of being happy by using the symbolism of a house in Book II, Chapter XIV?

5. Why does a soul have to wear a disguise as it ascends the secret ladder?

6. What did God do with Job during the dark night that allowed the devil access to his life, as explained by the author?

7. In Book II, Chapter XV, why does the soul praise the darkness that causes so much pain?

8. How is this unification achieved with God, according to Book II, Chapter XXIV?

9. How can the soul experience the presence of God while in the dark night, as described by the author in Book II, Chapter XIII?

10. In Book II, Chapter XXIII, what does the devil know about what is happening to a soul during the dark night and what does the devil do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many benefits a soul will gain when first entering into the dark night. The lessons that the soul is taught during this time is the way to unification with God. Using supporting examples, answer the following questions:

1) What does the soul learn while first entering into the dark night?

2) What is the benefit of a soul understanding it is weak and miserable?

3) What does the phrase "growing up in Christ" mean in relation to the soul?

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 second night of darkness inflicts even greater pain upon the soul than the first night. Answer the following questions with supporting examples:

1) Why is the second night of darkness even more painful than the first?

2) What happens to the soul after periods of rest during this night? Why?

3) What examples from the Bible does St. John use to help illustrate the pain of the second night of darkness?

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