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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Rilke writes in an untitled poem, "Who keeps innerly _____, touches the roots of speech."

2. Which poem begins with the line, "And the last perhaps will not return"?

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

4. What does Rilke write in Part V of "The Seven Phallic Poems" has "weakened you and me"?

5. In the seventh of "The Seven Phallic Poems," what does the poet write that his "semen climbs gladly like"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What does Mood say regarding Rilke's sensuality in the introduction to his poems?

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

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

9. What does the commentator say regarding Rilke's feminism in the Prologue?

10. Discuss the imagery and symbolism in the poems "From the Cycle: Nights" and "Force of Gravity."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Rilke's Letters on Love," discuss the poet's stance on solitude. What imagery does Rilke use to describe his thoughts? What suggestions does he offer regarding this theme?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the poet, Rainer Maria Rilke. What are Rilke's common subjects in his writing? What genres of literature did Rilke write? What are the overriding themes which embody his works?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss "The Seven Phallic Poems" in terms of subject, theme, symbolism, imagery, and structure.

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