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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 does Ginsberg dream about?

2. What kind of transportation line is Greyhound?

3. What is the final wish?

4. What do they walk by?

5. Where did Ginsberg's family come from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is an asphodel? How does it compare to Ginsberg's concept of desire?

2. How does the theme affect each person? Where does it appear?

3. What path of thought does the item inspire?

4. What is Ginsberg's comment about immigrants and their treatment in America?

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

6. Aside from housing personal baggage, what does Ginsberg believe is the purpose of the racks?

7. How should one behave in the giving and receiving of love? Where does this habit originate?

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

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

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Write a biography on famed poet William Carlos Williams. Include his youth, education, personal and professional lives. Also include Williams' professional and personal relationships with Allen Ginsberg as well as other Beat Generation poets Gregory Corso, Jack Kerouac, and Michael McClure. Also discuss how Williams affected the New York literary scene.

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