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

2. What kind of leader is Rumi for his people?

3. What invitation does the countryside man extend to his town friend in "Town and Country"?

4. In a poem in Book 2, Chapter 1, after a wise man feeds a poor man, what does he make the poor man do?

5. A recurring theme prominent in Book 2, Chapter 2, is what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what the Mathnawi is.

2. In one of Rumi's stories, how does a wise man end up helping a poor man by showing "tough love?"

3. Does Rumi disagree with holy scriptures?

4. What is the solution to King Solomon's crown constantly sliding down his forehead?

5. In the story where the king is in love with a girl, what ailment has afflicted her?

6. In one of Rumi's poems, what happens when somebody comes looking for Sheik Kharraqani?

7. In one of Rumi's story poems, in what predicament do three fish find themselves?

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

9. 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?

10. What is the outcome for each of three fish in one of Rumi's poems?

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

Ayaz is a character that appears repeatedly throughout many of Rumi's poems. How does Ayaz evolve through Rumi's writings? In what ways is Ayaz similar to Rumi? To Rumi's friends? How does Rumi use Ayaz to explain to the reader some of his own life experiences?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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