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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 Poems on Other Difficulties," Rilke writes in one poem from 1924, "We are not to know why / this and that _____ us."
(a) Masters.
(b) Strengthens.
(c) Weakens.
(d) Empowers.

2. In the poem, "Mausoleum," what punctuation does Rilke use in a nontraditional way, at the beginning of two lines?
(a) A colon.
(b) A comma.
(c) A period.
(d) A semicolon.

3. What does the poet say in his untitled poem to do with that which, "offers itself to us with starlight"?
(a) Let it be free.
(b) Take it seriously.
(c) Hide from it.
(d) Cry with it.

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 surreal approach.
(b) His uncommon rhythms.
(c) His flowery language.
(d) His spirituality.

5. Who is one of the earliest figures of feminism who was friends with Rilke?
(a) Victoria Ellison.
(b) Ellen Kay.
(c) Sarah Albright.
(d) Ellen Page.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what year did Rilke write "The Seven Phallic Poems"?

2. Which poem begins, "See how in their veins all becomes spirit"?

3. In one untitled poem of "Rilke's Poems on Other Difficulties," Rilke writes, "Play the ____, the single ones, quickly and you..."

4. In the last of the untitled love poems, the poet writes, "Do you feel, distant dear miss, / since you are _______ me."

5. In the Introduction to "Rilke's Poems on Other Difficulties," Mood writes that Rilke "began as a bit of a sticky late ______."

Short Essay Questions

1. What sexual elements are undertaken in The Seven Phallic Poems?

2. What influences does Mood speak of on Rilke's writing in his introduction to "Poems of Other Difficulties"?

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

4. How does Rilke suggest sexuality should be regarded in terms of innocence? What does he say of children?

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

6. What does Rilke say of questions and answers in his first essay?

7. What reference does Rilke use to the god Hermes in The Seven Phallic Poems?

8. What is the poet writing about in "The Poet Praises"?

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

10. Discuss the subjects and imagery of "The Poems Praise."

(see the answer keys)

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