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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. What does the poet of "The Idols of the Tribe" believe is in every society?

2. What is the poem "The Man from Halicarnassus" about?

3. Who is Rufino Lauglin?

4. What word does Tolson put a question mark after many times in "Libretto for the Republic of Liberia"?

5. Who breaks her leg in "African China"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What might have been the reason Tolson elects to use the Greek alphabet to separate his poem Harlem Gallery?

2. What is the significance of the Harlem Gallery according to Tolson?

3. How does Tolson address tyranny in the poem "Tapestries of Time"?

4. What is Tolson's opinion of Abraham Lincoln in "Abraham Lincoln of Rock Springs Farm"?

5. Why does the poem "The Idols of the Tribe" open with a quote from Hitler?

6. How does Tolson believe tyrants remain in power?

7. Describe the different Gods Tolson describes in "The Idols of the Tribe."

8. Why does Tolson believe that despite the reign of tyrants justice will prevail?

9. What does the poem "Libretto for the Republic of Liberia" mean when it suggests that America is the narrator's mother and Liberia is his wife.

10. What is the danger of worshiping false idols according to Tolson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Tolson use symbolism in the poem "The Gallows"? What is the meaning behind the symbolic element(s) in this poem?

Essay Topic 2

Define the term symbolism and explain the symbolism present in "The Mountain Climber."

Essay Topic 3

What is metaphor? Define this term and cite three examples of where Tolson uses metaphor in his poetry. Explain how this metaphor lends to the overall message of the poem.

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