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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 is regarded in his letters and his writing to be distinctly ahead of his time in what respect?

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

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

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How does Mood describe Rilke's masculinity and femininity in his poetry? What does he say of Rilke's own life in this regard?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Rilke's relationship to nature. How does he use nature as a metaphor and a symbol in his poetry? How does he approach nature itself?

(see the answer keys)

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