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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. In a poem in Book 1, Chapter 3 involving a complicated love triangle consisting of a man and two women, Rumi explores what subjects?

3. In the book, Coleman Barks is the author of what?

4. When was Rumi born?

5. Rumi's poems focus on what aspect of life?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the poet's message about friendship in his writings about a frog and a mouse?

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

4. How would one describe the tavern poems?

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

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

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

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

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

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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do Coleman Barks' prefaces add to the interpretation of Rumi's works? Explain how Barks facilitates understanding of the poet's writings. Use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

What are Rumi's views on friendship? In his eyes, what defines a good friendship? How does a good friendship contribute to a person's quality of life? How does a close friendship help an individual evolve and grow? Cite specific examples from Rumi's writings to support your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

What important lessons come through in the poem "Town and Country"? Describe the friendship between the two friends in this story. When the tables are turned and the shopkeeper gets to walk in the countryside man's shoes, how are his eyes opened? What does he finally see, after so many years, about the suffering his friend experienced when he first arrived in town?

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