5. The people who are jealous of a particular man in a poem in Book 2, Chapter 3, do not think they are better than him; rather, they are displeased with:

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. 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?

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

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

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

7. Does Rumi disagree with holy scriptures?

8. Explain what the Mathnawi is.

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

10. According to Rumi, what limitations does one individual experience when trying to comprehend what another person is feeling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do Rumi's poems express the central theme of unity? Use at least three different poems as references to support your analysis.

Essay Topic 2

Rumi writes about numerous love triangles. Summarize the stories and lessons associated with the following complicated "triangles:"

1. The case where three brothers fall in love with a Chinese princess.

2. The case where a king falls in love with a girl and her doctor, but the girl is in love with another person.

Essay Topic 3

Who was Rumi? Who was Coleman Barks? Why do Rumi's poems resonate so well with Barks? Draw parallels between the 13th-century mystic poet and the contemporary scholar translating his poems.

(see the answer keys)

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