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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. Ginsberg embraced what kind of life?

2. For Ginsberg, poetry is __________.

3. Which word is the best to describe the result of people's desire?

4. Atop which item does the thing rest?

5. Where is it located?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the main theme of the poem? Why is the theme important?

2. Ginsberg spends a great deal of time talking about what is holy. What are the poet's thoughts on the subject?

3. What is Ginsberg's first encounter with Whitman?

4. According to Ginsberg, what are some of the things that keep America interesting?

5. Discuss Ginsberg's view of creative people who had to go to work in order to survive.

6. What is one of the things that Ginsberg might discuss or dream about with Whitman on the way home?

7. Why did Ginsberg experience a great deal of confusion and distress during his adolescence?

8. What is the overall theme mentioned in the footnote? What is the poet's meaning?

9. What were some of the issues of Ginsberg's generation?

10. How does Ginsberg compare the flower to the locomotive? What is the symbolism/metaphor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a detailed analysis of each line of HOWL. You can choose to do so using either subjective or academic reasoning. Explain your analysis in detail. Cite sources where applicable.

Essay Topic 2

In the poem SONG Ginsberg writes about love as a burden as well as sorrow and joy, need and pain. What are Ginsberg's views on these topics? Explain the difference between platonic and erotic love. Use examples in Ginsberg's poetry to illustrate your opinions of each. How does love relate to hate? Write about love versus sex. What are the differences and similarities between the way men and women view each?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the political climate of the Northeast or, more specifically, in New Jersey post World War I. Also discuss how the war changed the social outlook of the people in Ginsberg's age range versus those of their parents. How were their views different? What was the general American opinion of World War I? Did Ginsberg agree or disagree with this opinion?

(see the answer keys)

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