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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 3.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Rilke says that there is only one thing that "can grasp and hold and be just toward" art. What is that thing?
(a) Hope.
(b) Open-mindedness.
(c) Love.
(d) Creativity.

2. How does Professor Horacek know Rilke?
(a) Professor Horacek teaches Rilke at a military academy.
(b) Professor Horacek knows Rilke's grandfather.
(c) Professor Horacek is Rilke's editor.
(d) Professor Horacek raises Rilke.

3. In the fourth letter, where does Rilke instruct the young poet to look for answers to his deepest questions?
(a) Creativity.
(b) Sexuality.
(c) Nature.
(d) Poetry.

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

5. What does Rilke advise the young poet to take comfort in if he feels uneasy in his new profession?
(a) Solitude.
(b) Prayer.
(c) Writing.
(d) Reading.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does it take Rilke so long to respond to the young poet's second letter?

2. In the first letter, Rilke says he cannot offer critical commentary on the young poet's work. Why?

3. Where is the young poet who is the recipient of the letters studying when he begins to receive correspondence from Rilke?

4. 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?

5. Near the close of the fourth letter, Rilke mentions the positive aspects of the young poet's new profession. What are those positive aspects?

(see the answer key)

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