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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. The time period takes place after which event?

2. If people are not careful they will end up experiencing which one of the following?

3. According to Ginsberg, one can attain happiness though which of the following?

4. Which adjective is the best to describe HOWL?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What kinds of things, integral in Ginsberg's life, bring joy?

2. How does Ginsberg relate holiness to people?

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

4. What was involved in regard to some of the social and political action taken by Ginsberg's peers?

5. What kind of experiences took place in HOWL? To what does Williams compare those experiences?

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

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

8. What was Ginsberg's relationship to Carl Solomon?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 630 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample