View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the narrator of "Libretto for the Republic of Liberia," who will God save the souls of?

2. Who fought in Halicarnassus?

3. Where does "Alpha" take place?

4. What does time move on despite in "Tapestries of Time"?

5. What war influences Tolson in "Tapestries of Time"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Curator think about Hideho Heights? Why does he feel this way?

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

3. Why does Doctor Nkomo feel that life and art are linked?

4. What is the significance of separating "Libretto for the Republic of Liberia" into musical segments?

5. What is Tolson's opinion on tyrants as seen in the poem "A Long Head to a Round Head"?

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

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

8. What role does the Curator play in the Harlem Gallery poems?

9. Explain your interpretation of the line "You are / Black Lazarus risen from the White Man's grave" from the poem "Libretto for the Republic of Liberia."

10. How does the nickname African-China come about in the poem "African China"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the characters in the Harlem Galleries. How does this character change from the beginning to the end of the collection? Do you believe Tolson allows the character to change if he or she does? Why does Tolson choose to allow the character to remain stagnant if he or she does? Choose one other character in the Harlem Galleries and explain their relationship with the initial character you chose.

Essay Topic 2

One of the themes that reoccurs in Tolson's poetry is that of the hardworking every-man. Chose one poem where this theme is present and explain how Tolson presents it using imagery and symbolism.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 731 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample