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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. After Shams went away the first time, how did he return?

2. Rumi asserts that the union between a man and a woman has what associated with it?

3. The poem "On Being A Lover" is written in what format?

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

5. Rumi indicates that people who have blind faith are following this path through what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Coleman Barks' preambles prepare the reader?

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

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

4. Summarize Rumi's early life.

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

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

7. Use the "me and you" example in this section to address Rumi's thoughts on identity.

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

9. Describe the "short story" model Rumi uses for many of his poems.

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

Explain how at times, Rumi ventures into the darker aspects of the world to illuminate higher spiritual truths. Refer to some of his short stories and his metaphors to address this topic.

Essay Topic 2

Summarize the story about three fish with varying intelligence levels. What conclusions does Rumi reach at the end of this story? How has each fish benefited in his own way?

Essay Topic 3

Rumi was a poet who wore many different hats. Analyze Rumi's role as:

1. Religious leader.

2. Political leader.

3. Peacekeeper.

(see the answer keys)

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