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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. The "Solomon Poems" are devoted to the spiritual life, referring to:

2. In the poem in Book 2, Chapter 3 where a group is terribly jealous of a particular man, who is this man?

3. In "Town and Country," what does the countryside man do?

4. Which of the three brothers in Chapter 2, Book 2 ends up marrying the Chinese princess in the end?

5. What happens to the second son who tries to woo a Chinese princess in one of Rumi's poems in Chapter 2, Book 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. In one of the stories, a king falls in love with a girl, but she is not aware that he cares for her. How does he get close to her?

2. How does the story of the king and the girl he loves end?

3. Summarize the folklore Coleman Barks refers to when introducing the poems of Book 2, Chapter 2 to the reader.

4. As Sheik, what is Rumi's ruling philosophy?

5. What is the primary moral of the "Town and Country" story?

6. Explain how Rumi uses the idea of Jesus riding a donkey as a metaphor.

7. What are some of the lessons inherent in the story of the Friend assisting the prisoner through the prayer rug?

8. How did Islam come about?

9. In the story where a king falls in love with a girl, and the girl becomes ill, what does the king learn about himself after a doctor arrives on the scene?

10. How does Rumi use his story of a poor man who is healed to explain the nature of God?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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

1. Religious leader.

2. Political leader.

3. Peacekeeper.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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