View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In an untitled poem from "Rilke's Poems on Other Difficulties," Rilke writes, "Great star of love's priestesses, which _____ kindles from its own right."

2. Of what fruit does Rilke write of in "The Poet Praises"?

3. "Woman's Lament II" ends with the line, "and the ________ is not in vain."

4. What does the translator comment in the Prologue that his translations of Rilke are?

5. What is the only novel that Rilke wrote?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What metaphors does Rilke use for a woman's womb in The Seven Phallic Poems?

6. How does Rilke regard the difficulty of sex in his opening letters?

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

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

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

10. What does Rilke say regarding the young and marriage in his letters?

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 John L. Mood's interpretation of Rilke as a writer. How did Mood first encounter Rilke? What drew him to the poet's writing? In what era did Mood become fascinated with Rilke and why?

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)

This section contains 936 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample