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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In some of his poems, Rumi refers to religious figures:
(a) Only from his faith.
(b) From different faiths.
(c) From fiction.
(d) Only that he knows personally.

2. When the man in a poem in Book 1, Chapter 2 accidentally soils himself, what does his host and friend do?
(a) Evicts him from his home.
(b) Laughs loudly and humiliates the man.
(c) Launders the garments and helps the man feel better.
(d) Leaves for three days while his servants clean the home.

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

4. Many of Rumi's poems reveal that life is not two-dimensional; on the contrary, it is very:
(a) Flat.
(b) Unfair.
(c) Complex.
(d) Boring.

5. Saladin of Zarkub was what?
(a) Brick maker.
(b) Barber.
(c) Farmer.
(d) Goldsmith.

Short Answer Questions

1. The purpose of Coleman Barks' preambles to Rumi's poems is to:

2. What happened after Shams disappeared a second time?

3. In a poem in Book 1, Chapter 2, several men invade a city because they are driven by what?

4. Many of Rumi's poems are so personal that they help readers reconnect to what?

5. When the animal soul Rumi writes about is in proper balance, it:

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize the poem about a man getting a tattoo. What message is delivered through this poem?

2. How does Rumi refer to his friends in the poems within Book 1, Chapter 3?

3. Who were Rumi's three best friends, and how did he regard each?

4. What are some of the challenges of translating Rumi's poems?

5. How does Ayaz learn from his predecessors in order to reach a decision that finds favor with the king?

6. Are Rumi's poems emotional or analytical?

7. What does Coleman Barks mean when he indicates that part of his experience of perceiving Rumi's poems is transcendental?

8. In what ways does God appear in Rumi's poetry?

9. Describe Husam Chelebi's role as scribe.

10. What are the underlying themes in Rumi's poem about sexual passion where a city is invaded and one of the invaders falls in love with a woman there?

(see the answer keys)

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