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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 this book, the term "nafs" refers to what?

2. Saladin of Zarkub was what?

3. Many of Rumi's poems reveal that life is not two-dimensional; on the contrary, it is very:

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

5. What happened after Shams disappeared a second time?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How would one describe the tavern poems?

3. Summarize the poet's message about the importance of balance with respect to the "animal soul."

4. Explain how Rumi uses the metaphor of a string when discussing the bonds of friendship in his writings about a frog and a mouse.

5. Describe Husam Chelebi's role as scribe.

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

7. How is Coleman Barks associated with Rumi?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using at least three examples from Rumi's poetry, explain his views on cultivating love. How does he teach his students about this topic through his poems? What conclusion, if any, does he reach regarding the attainment of love?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Rumi's poems involving a mouse and a frog. What key points is Rumi trying to make through these poems? What lessons can a person learn from these poems and apply to his or her life?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze what the poet says and infers with regards to ethics. Then, compare and contrast some of his ideas with modern-day ethics thinking. Use examples from his poems to support your observations.

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