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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. How many steps are on the ladder of love?

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

3. In Book II, Chapter XI, the author writes about the depth and power of what?

4. Without passing through the dark night, the author says that people are still what of their natural desires and wants?

5. The soul must endure periods of trial, testing, and what else to reach its final state of union with God as described by St. John?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does St. John describe the trail that God walks as He leads the soul on its journey through the darkness?

2. Why is the experience of the dark night and the spiritual ladder called "secret," as explained by the author?

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

4. 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?

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

6. How can a soul reach the sixth step on the secret ladder, as written in Book II, Chapter XX? What do men receive while on this step?

7. As discussed in Book II, Chapter XXIV, when will the soul finally find peace and rest? Why?

8. In Book II, Chapter XXI, what are the colors of the disguise of the soul on the secret ladder, and what do they represent?

9. 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?

10. In Book II, Chapter XVI, why does the author say that it is necessary for man to learn to walk in the darkness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The use of analogies within Dark Night of the Soul is abundant. St. John often re-describes his explanations by comparing the experience with an analogy. By using support from the text, respond with an essay to the following:

1) Name and define at least three analogies used within Dark Night of the Soul.

2) What is the author's purpose in using analogies within his writing? What does the reader gain from reading the analogies?

Essay Topic 2

The pain that occurs during the dark night is very intense and the author describes three types of pain that happens to the soul during this time. With examples from the text, please respond with examples to the following:

1) What are the three types of pain a soul experiences while going through the dark night of spirituality?

2) What causes this pain to occur?

3) Why is this pain required for the soul in order to emerge from the dark night?

Essay Topic 3

There is a separation between the will and the emotions within a person. St. John describes this separation as the reason why the soul can journey through the dark night. Respond with supporting examples:

1) How is the will free from emotions within a human?

2) Why does the soul recognize what it needs and the will of a person does not?

3) How is the separation of the will and the emotions required for a person to pass through the dark night?

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