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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. According to Rumi, having people freely cooperate works better than what?

2. In a poem in Chapter 2, Book 2, what does the king discover about himself after the girl he loves receives medical attention?

3. In a poem in Chapter 2, Book 2, about a king who loves a girl, what does the doctor say is afflicting her?

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

5. What is the Mathnawi?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain the significance of candles in this last section of the book.

3. How are the men's experiences similar in "Town and Country?"

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

5. In the poem where three brothers fall in love with the same woman, describe the person they fall in love with.

6. What does King Solomon want from the Queen of Sheba?

7. Why is jealousy a recurrent theme in Rumi's work?

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

How does Rumi regard blind acceptance of certain practices, attitudes, and ideas? In his eyes, how can the inner guide serve as a voice of reason and direction when convention tries to pull an individual the wrong way?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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