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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 addresses the reader in "To You," telling the reader he fears they are walking the walks of _____________.

2. When Whitman talks about Christianity, with whom does he commiserate within his poems on the topic?

3. Though Whitman says he paints myriads of heads, he also says that he paints head without a ________.

4. What are the felons wearing when they come into the courtroom as Whitman watches them out of curiosity?

5. What color is the halo in the sky, drooping upon the sea in the description of the water?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the song have to include in itself in order to be considered universal?

2. Who are the phantoms to which Whitman refers in his poems about love being lost?

3. What does the poem "Passage to India" have to share about this country and about its progress in the world?

4. What happens to the summer rains, according to Whitman's poem "Autumn Rivulets"?

5. What is an endless source of inspiration for poetry, according to the poems which the poet has created?

6. What is the lesson of the ebb of the ocean, according to the poem of Whitman?

7. What does Whitman point out happens no matter how many advancements science has made?

8. To whom does Whitman appear to give his spirit to, though this person is never mentioned by name in a poem?

9. What does Whitman ask the soul to do in the poems about addressing the idea of mortality?

10. What does a muse beckon Whitman to do in the beginning of these poems in this 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

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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