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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 compares people to which of the following?

2. Williams talks about Ginsberg's experiences after the end of what major event?

3. To Ginsberg, riches have little or nothing to do with which of the following?

4. Ginsberg believed that his generation was being destroyed by which of the following?

5. Ginsberg stated that the meeting with Solomon was ____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ginsberg relate holiness to people?

2. What is the purpose of the vision? Does Ginsberg understand this purpose?

3. What kinds of things are represented by the flower? What is Ginsberg able to see that is no longer present?

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

5. What were some of the things the people of Ginsberg's generation did to try and ease the pain of youth?

6. What mystical reference is made by Ginsberg? Does Ginsberg want to keep it a secret?

7. What does Ginsberg say about the quality of the soul? Where does it fit into the theme?

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

9. How does the poet speak about the people of his generation?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In HOWL, Ginsberg talks about sex, drugs, alcohol, etc. as a substitute for something missing in one's life. Examine this theory. Do you agree or disagree? What proof is there to support each side of the argument? What is the basis for addiction? Is there a cure? If so, what is it and how is it administered? What is the "cure" rate for alcoholics and drugs addicts? Is one ever cured?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Many members of the Beat Generation seem to have a great fondness for locomotives and traveling. In Sunflower Sutra, Ginsberg and Kerouac relate locomotives to days gone by and an old America as well as to the lives of hobos and rail jumpers. Compare and contrast reality versus romance in regards to locomotives. Write about the imagery of locomotives in the US versus other countries. Include an analysis of how romance is tied to trains like the Oriental Express. What form of transportation has taken place of the locomotive?

(see the answer keys)

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