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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Rilke's first letter he suggests to the reader to "resolve to be always" what?
(a) Ending.
(b) Beginning.
(c) Trying.
(d) Failing.

2. In Part III of "The Seven Phallic Poems," Rilke writes, "Granted by you, the image of the ____ stands/at the gentle crossroads under my clothes."
(a) Madonna.
(b) Tower.
(c) God.
(d) Flower.

3. The poem "Gong" makes use of what literary technique?
(a) Absurdism.
(b) Irony.
(c) Segmentation.
(d) Onomatapeia.

4. In introducing Rilke's love poetry, the commentator notes that the poet's sexual and sensual undertones are mostly overlooked because of the striking impact of what?
(a) His flowery language.
(b) His uncommon rhythms.
(c) His spirituality.
(d) His surreal approach.

5. According to Rilke, there is "scarcely anything more difficult" than what?
(a) To birth a child.
(b) To leave one's love.
(c) To love one another.
(d) To stand alone.

Short Answer Questions

1. Rilke writes in one letter, "At bottom ______ can help anyone else in life."

2. What does Rilke write is a simplification of one's way of life?

3. The first collection of poems in "Rilke's Poems on Love" is titled what?

4. What does Rilke suggest that the young are apt to do in love?

5. The commentator remarks in the Introduction, "It should be emphasized that Rilke's language is thoroughly _______."

Short Essay Questions

1. In the untitled poems following "The Lovers," what imagery does the poet use?

2. What does Rilke write of in his first poem of "Poems of Other Difficulties"?

3. What does Rilke say regarding the institute of marriage and solitude?

4. In the fourth and fifth of The Seven Phallic Poems, what imagery does the poet use for climax?

5. What does the commentator say regarding the transition to the 1960s' promiscuity and what this transition lacked?

6. Discuss the subjects of "Greek Love Talk" and "The Lovers." What imagery is used?

7. What references to Venus does Rilke make in the untitled poems of "Poems of Other Difficulties"?

8. How does death intermingle with sex in The Seven Phallic Poems? How does childhood?

9. What does Mood say in regard to Rilke's vision of Eros in the Prologue?

10. In the untitled poems of "Rilke's Poems of Other Difficulties," how does Rilke write of the gods?

(see the answer keys)

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