View a FREE sample

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 compare to an asphodel?

2. What is one of the main complaints about the job?

3. Where do the people live?

4. What does Ginsberg dream about?

5. Which word best describes the child?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What is the child thinking about? How does it relate to his family?

7. When was AN ASPHODEL written and what is the main theme of the poem?

8. How long will Ginsberg continue to work at Greyhound? What is his opinion of the wage and capitalism?

9. What is the child's condition and outlook upon his surroundings?

10. What is the poet's feeling about physical passion and the enjoyment of it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the poem WILD ORPHAN Ginsberg discusses the life of an orphan. What are common fantasies and misconceptions about orphans? How do those compare to the reality? Use examples all of orphans as they are portrayed in movies and literature. How accurate are the portrayals? What is the difference between an orphanage and foster care? What are the criteria for each? Compare and contrast orphanages in the 1950s to today.

Essay Topic 2

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?

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 683 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample