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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 sort of song does Whitman say he will sing in the sixth inscription of the book's opening?

2. Whitman believes himself to be as trustful to his poems as a father is to his _______________.

3. Who does Whitman answer for when he takes the young man's hands in his own?

4. Whitman says he will make a true ________ which will earn for the body and mind whatever sticks and does not droop in death.

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

2. What does Whitman reveal about a lover who spoke of acceptance within one of his poems?

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

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

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

6. What does the author feel about the idea of being present in the here and in the now?

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

8. What does Whitman think about seeing the world through someone else's eyes, even if it is through the eyes of a poet?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The poet brings up an interesting idea of seeking happiness in places other than in one's self.

Part 1: Do you agree that happiness should only be found outside of one's self?

Part 2: Why do you think Whitman wants to reverse the idea of finding happiness in one's self?

Part 3: How do you find happiness in your own life? In yourself? Outside of yourself?

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

The body is something which Whitman seems to worship as a part of his experience as being human.

Part 1: Why do you think Whitman is so fascinated with the human body?

Part 2: What are your feelings about the human body and whether it should be celebrated?

Part 3: Do you think that the human body is something which could be described as divine?

(see the answer keys)

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