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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. What is constructed in the poem?

2. What has sacrificed itself?

3. What does Ginsberg dream about?

4. What is the weapon?

5. What is an asphodel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is at least one of Ginsberg's comments about the racks and baggage?

2. In what room in his apartment does the poet talk about his needs? What is his condition?

3. What is the burden one must carry? How should one react to this burden?

4. What childhood memory of politics does Ginsberg recall? How do those memories affect the present?

5. What is the main theme of this poem? What is the poet's opinion of the theme?

6. What is the point of the poem? What is the poet's conclusion?

7. What is one of the main themes in this poem? To what does Ginsberg compare the flower?

8. How does the poem end? What is the inference of things to come?

9. What is one of the main things that Ginsberg opposes during this time?

10. Where does Ginsberg work in this poem? What is his position? What are people waiting for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ginsberg discusses the mechanics of industry in the 1950s. How did the Industrial Revolution effect the environment compared to previous ways of manufacture? What might the environment be like 50 years from now? 100 years from now? Create a short list of modern advancements in industrial procedures. Explain their purpose and use. How will these advancements incur change? Will the change be for better or for worse?

Essay Topic 2

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.

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?

(see the answer keys)

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