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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. "Carry me when you go forth over land or sea; For thus merely ______________ you is enough, is best."

2. How old is Whitman at the time of his writing his poems, noting this in his poems and that he is in good health?

3. How does Whitman spell Canada when he uses the name in the poem, "On Journeys through the States"?

4. Who does Whitman not want to shut their proud doors to him, as stated in a poem of that same idea?

5. Which sort of bird caused Whitman to stop and open listen to it opening its throat and joyfully singing?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are some of the poet's feelings about the idea of mortality, according to the poems he writes?

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

4. How does Whitman describe the touches of the lover as they are making love in the grass with each other?

5. 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?

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

7. What does Whitman describe when he is talking about the experiences of his body in relation to another's body?

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

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

10. What does Whitman state about the idea of what happens after death, though he is still unsure?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whitman believes that no matter what science can uncover, the soul will supersede it.

Part 1: Why do you think Whitman believes the soul is the most important part of the world experience?

Part 2: Why can't science be bigger than the experience of the soul?

Part 3: How do you feel about the importance of the soul versus the importance of science?

Essay Topic 2

While Whitman also addresses a number of metaphysical issues, he also talks about God and Jesus.

Part 1: Do you think that metaphysical and Christian ideas can coexist?

Part 2: How do you think Whitman feels about the idea of religion in general?

Part 3: How do you you feel about faith, spirituality, and religion? Are they all connected in some way? Do they have to be?

Essay Topic 3

People are not always what they seem, according to Whitman, and few would disagree.

Part 1: Why do you think Whitman wanted to be clear that no one is what they seem?

Part 2: Do you think you would tell a lover or friend that you are not what you appear?

Part 3: How would you react if someone told you that not all is what it seems to be?

(see the answer keys)

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