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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 the main theme of the poem?

2. What is constructed in the poem?

3. A main theme of the poem is ______________.

4. Who is out walking?

5. What color is used to describe fate?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is the setting for this poem? When was it written?

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

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

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

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

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 3

Discuss the political climate of the Northeast or, more specifically, in New Jersey post World War I. Also discuss how the war changed the social outlook of the people in Ginsberg's age range versus those of their parents. How were their views different? What was the general American opinion of World War I? Did Ginsberg agree or disagree with this opinion?

(see the answer keys)

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