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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through The Difficulty of Dying: Rilke's Self-Composed Epitaph.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "The Dragon-Princess," Rilke suggests that we hold our life to the most difficult, and that which now "still seems to us the most alien will become" what?
(a) What kills us.
(b) What blinds us.
(c) What we most trust.
(d) What frees us.

2. Whose influence helped to expand Rilke's vision, according to Mood?
(a) Nietzsche.
(b) Beckett.
(c) Goethe.
(d) Donne.

3. For the sake of what, much one see many cities, men and things, etc.?
(a) A poem.
(b) A song.
(c) A novel.
(d) A single verse.

4. In "Blood-Remembering," from what comes poetry?
(a) Blood-remembering.
(b) Secrets.
(c) Truth.
(d) Life.

5. On what word does Mood focus in examining the ambiguity of "The Dragon-Princess"?
(a) Perhaps.
(b) Maybe.
(c) Until.
(d) Hope.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the title of the poem which begins, "From indescribable transformation flash / such creations--: Feel! and trust!"?

2. Rilke remarks in his letters that his sex is "not directed only toward posterity" but is is what?

3. In the excerpt of Rilke's letter in the Introduction, what essay does he refer to reading?

4. When did Rilke undertake "the great giving"?

5. What must "one know" in order to write a single verse?

(see the answer key)

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