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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 did Whitman once feel was impassive, ample, and spheric in nature, though he is changing his mind?

2. To what does Whitman say he is near at hand with a throat to inflate itself and sing joyfully?

3. Who does Whitman profess to folding in every leaf of his poetry in order to celebrate the sea?

4. What will Whitman plant as thick as trees along all the rivers of America and along the shores of all the great lakes?

5. Whitman raises a _____________ hand to all who he mentions in his poem, making the signal to remain after him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The overt sexual language of Whitman can surprise some people as this does not seem to be something which is expected.

Part 1: Did you expect to find so much sexual language and description in this collection of poems?

Part 2: Did the sexual themes detract from your enjoyment of Whitman's work?

Part 3: Why do you think Whitman felt he needed to include so much sexual poetry in this collection?

Essay Topic 3

Whitman is very focused on writing about himself in his poems. He wants to focus on the idea of his observations and the way he interprets his world.

Part 1: Do you think it's limiting to only show the world through one set of eyes?

Part 2: How do you think Whitman could have improved his poems and extended the way he described the world?

Part 3: Why do you think so many writers and poets use only their own experience to write? Is this a good or a bad thing?

(see the answer keys)

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