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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. Whitman proposes that grass is the ___________ of the Lord, when he contemplates it as a child.

2. What rose before Whitman when he was pondering his poetry in silence in this book?

3. Whitman believes that the words of true ________ do not merely please those who read them.

4. Whitman says that he is not sure, but the high soul of lovers welcomes _______ most.

5. Whitman says it is a painful thing to ___________ someone to excess, yet the rewards are great.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is so strange about the idea that Whitman is so fervently patriotic in the poems he has written? When was Whitman born in relation to the 'birth' of the United States?

3. What does Whitman say when someone else is present with his body? What changes?

4. Who are some of the groups for which Whitman seems to have a particular affection in his poems?

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

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

7. What are some of the similar points of religions which Whitman points out for the reader?

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

9. What is the city which Whitman admires, though not for the pageantry and the wealth that exists in this city?

10. What are some of the features of the Paumanok area of Long Island which makes the area special to Whitman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whitman points out that the inhabitants of America want nothing more than to be unique and to have their own identity.

Part 1: How would you describe the idea of being unique?

Part 2: Do you feel it is important for you to have your own identity?

Part 3: Why is it so important for people to create their own identity in the world? Or isn't it?

Essay Topic 2

Whitman's writing seems to be filled with wonder and awe at the world and all of its inhabitants.

Part 1: Why do you think Whitman is so in awe of the world?

Part 2: How do you feel about the world and about the creatures within it?

Part 3: Do you think that you can cultivate awe and wonder in the world? Or is it inherent?

Essay Topic 3

The poet does not seem to be afraid of mortality, choosing instead to look at it as a mysterious entity.

Part 1: Why do you think Whitman is not afraid of dying as so many other people are?

Part 2: How do you feel about the idea of your own mortality?

Part 3: Do you think that it's better to fear mortality or to embrace this facet of the human existence? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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