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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 refers to which live object?

2. What religion is practiced by Ginsberg?

3. What does Ginsberg see in society?

4. Ginsberg embraced what kind of life?

5. Ginsberg thinks about which famous poet?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the setting for Sunflower Sutra? What do the men dream about in regards to the scene?

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

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

6. What types of people are noticed by Ginsberg inside the supermarket?

7. Who is William Carlos Williams?

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

9. According to Williams and Ginsberg, how is it possible for love to survive?

10. How does Ginsberg relate holiness to people?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Carlos Williams says that HOWL is much like going through hell. Write a 750 word essay on Williams' opinion, relating it to each part of the poem. Also examine how other famous poems have used the same theme, concept and or imagery. Compare and contrast those poems to Ginsberg's Howl and other poetry.

Essay Topic 2

Although there may have been difficult times post World War I and World War II, Ginsberg speaks a lot about gratitude. Why is gratitude so important? How is it possible to be grateful in the face of poverty or war? What is Ginsberg's opinion on material possessions? Explain what Ginsberg meant by having riches beyond material things. Write an opinion on simplicity versus materialism.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 625 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample