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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. In Rilke's poem, what do bird feeders represent?

2. In "To Holderlin", which pair of words describes the two distinct times in life?

3. What marks each section of poems in "Uncollected Poems"?

4. What does Rilke refer to as "pampered favorites"?

5. What is the tone of the first poem in "Sonnets to Orpheus"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What allusions does Rilke use in his poems, especially in the poem "Ariel"?

2. What frustrations does Rilke mention in his sonnets?

3. Who does the invisible 'you' reference in the first poem in "Sonnets to Orpheus"?

4. Describe "To Holderlin."

5. How does Rilke give in to tradition while writing, as exemplified in his elegies?

6. What is "The Prodigal Son" about?

7. What does Rilke mean by "Every angel is terrifying"?

8. What types of fears does Rilke speak to in "Fears"?

9. What does the format of the lines say about Rilke and his poetry in Book 1, Chapter 6?

10. What is "The Bird Feeders" about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the "diaphonous girl" represent to Rilke? What part of Rilke does it symbolize? Why does he write about her? What role does she play in Rilke's poems?

Essay Topic 2

How does Rilke use allusion in his poems? Why do you think he does this? How does Rilke mix allusion with creativity? Is it effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

What is the difference between poem and prose? How does Rilke use both? Which is a better technique for Rilke, in your opinion, and why?

(see the answer keys)

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