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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 a poem in Book 1, Chapter 3 involving a complicated love triangle consisting of a man and two women, Rumi explores what subjects?
(a) Humor and tragedy.
(b) Reconciliation, division, and uncertainty.
(c) Love, jealousy, and fear.
(d) Lust and disgust.

2. Over time, Coleman Barks' feelings about the messages in Rumi's poetry have what?
(a) Grown in contempt.
(b) Remained the same.
(c) Grown in confusion.
(d) Changed.

3. When speaking to the camel in the story in Book 1, Chapter 3, the mouse admits that it is what?
(a) Tough.
(b) A lion in disguise.
(c) Afraid.
(d) A bear in disguise.

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

5. What elevates Rumi's poems beyond a simple collection of ideas?
(a) Rich imagery.
(b) His use of diagrams.
(c) Confounding words.
(d) His references to other cultures.

Short Answer Questions

1. Over time, what has Coleman Barks been able to do with Rumi's poems?

2. What region in Afghanistan did Rumi come from?

3. In a poem entitled "Rough Metaphors," Rumi asserts that a lover's reverence is often sheltered in:

4. Whether writing about friendship, love, or God, a common theme covered by Rumi is:

5. What happened after Shams disappeared a second time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly explain Rumi's metaphor of sugar and vinegar.

2. How would you describe Rumi's writing style?

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

4. What might you conclude about Rumi's ideas regarding the importance of friendship?

5. Describe Husam Chelebi's role as scribe.

6. Summarize Rumi's early life.

7. What makes Rumi's poems emotionally well integrated?

8. Explain the disappearances of Rumi's friend, Shams.

9. How has Rumi's poetry impacted Coleman Barks?

10. How is Coleman Barks associated with Rumi?

(see the answer keys)

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