View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. With another man, Whitman writes, he dilates and fuses the immortal laws and makes himself by them the _______ unto himself.

3. What is described as never tiring, as being rude, silent, and incomprehensible at first?

4. Whitman believes that in his journey, the _________ is not the only thing that is there.

5. To what state does Whitman promise to know very well after traveling to it?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Whitman also has a close relationship with nature, talking about being naked with it and being enveloped by it.

Part 1: Why do you think so many poets have such a strong connection with nature?

Part 2: Do you think the nature can be emotionally engaging? Or do you look at nature as something without emotion?

Part 3: How do you think observing nature can affect the way poems are written?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 729 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample