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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 did the hoopoe wear on his breast?

2. What is the real reason that the nightingale said he could not go on the journey to find the Simorgh?

3. What did the hoopoe have on his head?

4. Where did the hawk claim to perch daily?

5. Why is the Way lifeless-according to the hoopoe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What must the francolin do with his Self?

2. How did Abbasseh describe the Self?

3. What was the meaning behind the story "A Pauper in Love with the King of Egypt"?

4. What did Socrates say to his student about burying him?

5. Why did the hoopoe compare the finch to Moses?

6. Why was the murderer allowed access into heaven?

7. What happened after the hoopoe was chosen as their leader?

8. Why did the birds decide that they needed a king?

9. What did the birds ask the hoopoe about regarding the Way?

10. What was the hoopoe's response to the partridge's excuse for not wanting to go on the quest for the Simorgh?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Given that the book was written in Persia during the twelfth century, how successful is it in relating to current issues that people face today? Does Attar's book pass the test of time? Why/Why not? Is the book as relevant today as it was during the twelfth century? What did you find to be lost in translation?

Essay Topic 2

Religious figures and stories are intertwined throughout the novel. Discuss the usage of Christianity in the book. What does the use of Christian imagery and characters do to the meaning of the story? How did Attar use religion as an image in the book? Did the use of Christianity help in understanding the book? Why/Why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the hoopoe. Who is the hoopoe? Who does he represent? What imagery is associated with him? What are his characteristics? Why is he important to the book?

(see the answer keys)

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