2. According to Rilke in letter eight, where does destiny originate?
(a) From within individuals.
(b) From external events.
(c) With God.
(d) With thought.

3. What does Rilke say in the seventh letter about things that are difficult?
(a) Things that are difficult are worth doing or experiencing.
(b) Things that are difficult enhance our discipline.
(c) Things that are difficult should be avoided.
(d) Things that are difficult are usually not the things that are best for us.

4. From where does Rilke write the fifth letter?
(a) Bremen, Germany.
(b) Florence, Italy.
(c) Rome, Italy.
(d) Paris, France.

5. In letter eight, what does Rilke tell the young poet he must be careful with?
(a) Sadnesses.
(b) Names.
(c) Prayers.
(d) Thoughts.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what year is Rilke's sixth letter written?

2. At the close of letter seven, what love does Rilke tell the young poet to remember?

3. What does the poem enclosed in the seventh letter express a longing for?

4. What does Rilke claim a sadness that enters into the body is in actuality?

5. What aspect of human life does Rilke say is most burdened with conventions?

Short Essay Questions

1. What can be inferred about the mental and emotional state of the young poet from Rilke's reply in letter six?

2. What advice does Rilke give the young poet for doctoring his sadness?

3. What does Rilke say that the average person will continue to do in regards to love?

4. In letter six, what does Rilke tell the young poet he should do if he is lonely?

5. In letter six, Rilke encourages the young poet to maintain what he calls "a child's wise incomprehension" rather than joining in the "defensiveness and disdain" that are shared by the masses. What does he mean by this?

6. In letter five, Rilke comments on Rome and says that the first few days one is in Rome have "an oppressively sad effect" because everything in Rome is old and looking backward toward the past. How does this sentiment reflect Rilke's life philosophies as he has expressed them thus far in the book?

7. What does Rilke say about fear?

8. Why does Rilke send a copy of the young poet's sonnet with letter seven?

9. What does Rilke mean when he says that the names of things are often misrepresented of what things are?

10. What is Rilke's definition of love?

(see the answer keys)

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