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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. What is the new element introduced in "Requiem for a Friend"?

2. What type of religion is Bavaria known for?

3. What is the title of Book 1, Chapter 3?

4. Which of the following best describes the poem about Lord in Book 1, Chapter 1?

5. Which of the following poems has the theme of being held back?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rilke seem to think about the abnormal women he dedicates a poem to in Book 1, Chapter 3?

2. Describe the differences between the poems in Book 1, Chapter 2 and the poems in Book 1, Chapter 1.

3. Why is it significant for Rilke to write about the sun in "Archaic Torso of Apollo"?

4. What is the significance of the women standing in their doorways in "Requiem for a Friend"?

5. How does the author change from the first stanza to the second in "I am the Anxious One"?

6. Choose one poem from Book 1, Chapter 2 and dissect the meaning.

7. How does the tone change in "I am the Anxious One"?

8. Why is it important to know background information about Rainer Marie Rilke before reading the poems?

9. What is the tone of the poem, "Archaic Torso of Apollo"?

10. Why is the first line in the poem about Alcestis significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Rilke use tone to convey a message? What literary techniques does he use to contribute to tone and message?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the tone, message, and literary devices used in the poem "Requiem Friend." How do these elements work together to create a dramatic and emotionally-charged poem?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the panther, gazelle, and swan poems to each other. What are the differences in message, literary devices, and rhyming techniques? Why are these devices important to the poems? What do they say about Rilke?

(see the answer keys)

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