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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 colors does the curator mention in "Gamma"?

2. What does Liberia represent in "Libretto for the Republic of Liberia"?

3. What tyrant does the narrator mention in "A Long Head to a Round Head"?

4. What should the viewer of art never doubt according to "Delta"?

5. What artist did the Curator teach Black Diamond about?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Tolson believe tyrants remain in power?

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

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

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

7. 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.

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

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

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

How does description play a role in an author's work? How does the author use description to draw the reader into the poem? What are some examples where the description does not work? Cite two poems and explain how the description helps or hinders the poet's message.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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

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