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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. Whose criticism does not count in "Omicron"?

2. What is art to the curator in "Gamma"?

3. Where is Timbuktu?

4. In "The Idols of the Tribe," how many points does a road meet at?

5. What does the narrator of "Tapestries of Time" want to prevail?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Tolson believe tyrants remain in power?

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

4. 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.

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

6. In "Pi" it is written that art without limits can climb mountains. What is meant by this?

7. 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."

8. According to Tolson in the poem "The Idols of the Tribe," who is likely to worship false idols?

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

10. Why does Tolson suggest in "Epsilon" that a nod of approval is the worst thing for an artist?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What impact did Lincoln have on Tolson's life? Choose examples from Tolson's poems that suggest what relationship Tolson had with Lincoln. Why does Tolson hold Lincoln in such high esteem?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the concept of a new black man. What is Tolson's definition of this term, and how does he present this idea in his poems. Choose two poems to defend your answer.

Essay Topic 3

How does Tolson address the theme of America as a melting pot? Choose two examples of how this idea appears in his poems, and explain whether he believes the concept of the melting pot to be true.

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This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample