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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book 1, The Tavern : Chapter 2, Desire & New Silk.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Rumi's father teach him?
(a) By example.
(b) Through music, math, and memorization.
(c) By leaving him many notes.
(d) Through hands-on, real-life experiences.

2. What was salient and peculiar about Rumi's father?
(a) He was afraid of horses.
(b) He had visions.
(c) He spoke seven languages.
(d) He had no facial hair.

3. Who is Hallaj?
(a) Rumi's father.
(b) Scholar who studies Rumi.
(c) Rumi's teacher.
(d) Character in Rumi's poems.

4. When was the New Expanded Edition of this book published?
(a) 2000.
(b) 1965.
(c) 1995.
(d) 1980.

5. In this book, the term "nafs" refers to what?
(a) The part of the soul associated with desires.
(b) A style of poetry developed by Rumi.
(c) A food commonly consumed during Rumi's time.
(d) The highest state of enlightenment.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happened after Shams disappeared a second time?

2. According to Rumi, when the individual ego disappears and dissipates into God, this can be understood as what?

3. For Coleman Barks, part of the experience of grasping Rumi's poems is what?

4. Over time, Coleman Barks' feelings about the messages in Rumi's poetry have what?

5. Who were Rumi's three main friends who inspired much of his poetry?

(see the answer key)

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