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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Rilke writes that "most events are inexpressible," and says that one category of things is more inexpressible than all the rest. What is this category?
(a) Human frailty.
(b) Works of art.
(c) Human suffering.
(d) Human communication.

2. What does Rilke call himself in relation to the young poet at the end of the first letter?
(a) A sage.
(b) An expert.
(c) A master.
(d) A stranger.

3. What does Rilke ask the young poet to do for him at the end of the first letter?
(a) Write a letter to the young poet's school informing the school of Rilke's success.
(b) Distribute Rilke's books to the young poet's friends.
(c) Tell Professor Horacek of Rilke's esteem for him.
(d) Visit his mother.

4. What does Rilke say the young poet should do if he determines he should not be a poet?
(a) He should join the military.
(b) He should pursue the visual arts.
(c) He should pursue the musical arts.
(d) He should quit writing completely.

5. What has brought Rilke to the place from where he writes the second letter?
(a) Rilke has moved there to get well.
(b) Rilke has moved there to be close to his family.
(c) Rilke has moved there because the community is very supportive of his writing.
(d) Rilke has moved there to work on his writing.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the first letter, what does Rilke advise the poet to do to improve his writing?

2. What type of poetry does Rilke advise the poet not to write?

3. In what year does Rilke write the third letter?

4. In the third letter, what does Rilke say he wishes he could do for the young poet but is unable to do?

5. How old is the young poet when he begins corresponding with Rilke?

(see the answer key)

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