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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 man continually do according to "Tapestries of Time" during the Golden Age?

2. In "Omicron," what is the temperament of the artist?

3. Why will the narrator in "Beta" never be censored?

4. According to "Omicron," what is the school of the artist?

5. Who is the narrator's mother in "Libretto for the Republic of Liberia"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the significance of the Curator in Harlem Gallery distinguishing the importance of the word "ex"?

4. How does Tolson believe tyrants remain in power?

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

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

7. What does Tolson believe is the greatest gift Africa has to give to its people according to "Libretto for the Republic of Liberia"?

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

9. What is the significance of the word tapestries in the poem "Tapestries of Time"?

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

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 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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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This section contains 684 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample