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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. It is the engineer's joy to go with the _____________ in his days.

2. Whitman hears that some people believe that he is trying to destroy ____________, which confuses him.

3. What carry the filaments of the news of wars, deaths, losses, gains, passions, and of race?

4. Who does Whitman consider to be dear and dreadful to the earth, as he writes in one of his poems?

5. Who does Whitman meet in the poem, "Eidolons," passing the hues and objects of the world?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Whitman describe his understanding of Adam's first experience when walking in the Garden of Eden?

2. What parts of the United States structure does Whitman have a lot of respect for?

3. What does Whitman proclaim about nature when he is talking about nature in this first section ?

4. Where was Whitman born, and how does that place affect him?

5. What is the main reason why Whitman says that he enjoys Manhattan so much during his travels there?

6. What is Whitman's stance on how he views individual people and who they are, an opinion which is repeated frequently?

7. What can be determined about Whitman's life experiences by the reading of the many poems which Whitman has crafted about the water?

8. What does Whitman try to do for himself, instead of being completely engrossed by one belief system?

9. Why does Whitman warn the readers about the dangers of religion and those who are enamored of it?

10. What does Whitman have to say about the pain of loving a man or a woman in great excess?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whitman talks about how his body is affected with it is in the presence of another person, which is understandable and relate-able.

Part 1: Why do you think Whitman expresses the idea that his body is affected by others?

Part 2: Can someone's body is affected without having anyone else around?

Part 3: Do you think that you are more or less affected on a body level when someone else is present?

Essay Topic 2

Whitman seems to have a very strong sense of patriotism and allegiance to the United States.

Part 1: Did you find it surprising that Whitman was so patriotic? Why or why not?

Part 2: Do you think it's important to have a strong sense of patriotism as a creative person?

Part 3: Why do you think Whitman felt so strongly about the United States that he had to include poems about patriotism?

Essay Topic 3

Whitman is clear that his sexuality is not tied to loving one person or one sort of person. This fluid description can cause issues for some readers.

Part 1: Why do you think Whitman doesn't want to connect himself to just one sort of love partner?

Part 2: Do you think it's possible for sexuality to be as fluid as Whitman describes it to be?

Part 3: How do you feel about the idea of sexuality? It is more rigid for you or do you agree with Whitman's ideas?

(see the answer keys)

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