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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 emotion do we carry through life?

2. Ginsberg talks about his job in relation to which of the following?

3. What famous magazine is mentioned?

4. What does Ginsberg dream about?

5. What spiritual leader is mentioned in the poem?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What item catches Ginsberg's eye? Where is it?

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

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

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

6. What path of thought does the item inspire?

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

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

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

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 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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Compare communism, socialism and capitalism. Use examples of each to illustrate points including pros and cons as well as political and social ramifications. In your opinion which is best? Explain. Using Ginsberg's poetry as a starting point, what do you believe the poet's opinion was of each? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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