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

2. Williams refers to Howl as a ______________.

3. Ginsberg embraced what kind of life?

4. The time period takes place after which event?

5. Who does Ginsberg look to as a father figure and teacher?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. How does Ginsberg's lack of money affect his attitude in this poem?

8. What common object is spotted by Kerouac? Where? What is Ginsberg's reaction?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

IN THE BAGGAGE ROOM AT GREYHOUND discusses Ginsberg's views about what goes on in a bus station. Explain the purpose of using this particular location. What does Ginsberg see? What is unusual about the people? Describe the interaction between Ginsberg and the workers and passengers. What do the workers represent? What can one learn from performing such observations? Take a similar personal experience and compare and contrast it with Ginsberg's experience at Greyhound.

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

Ginsberg refers to Carl Solomon's stint in a mental institution. Examine Ginsberg's tales. Do you think they are true or false? Why? Compare and contrast today's institutions with ones commonly found in the 1950s. Discuss different treatments, effectiveness, facilities, etc. Also discuss the common use of shock treatments as a method of curing insanity.

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