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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. Rumi's "story gets told in various ways" including all of the following except________. He recommends that others not get too close to him.

2. The _____________ who are there in the orchard do not matter, according to Rumi, along with the light and the wine.

3. The story of Joseph focuses on the loss of his _____ of many colors that has false blood on it to convince people of his death.

4. Rumi's poetry can be thought of as a conversation with _______, a discussion of what it is to be together in God.

5. Whose table is spread with better food when a person fasts, according to Rumi?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the profession of Rumi when Barks introduces him at the beginning of this book?

2. What does Rumi have to say about the road to Mecca when he is describing the idea that some mysteries aren't meant to be known?

3. What happens when you fast, according to the narrator of the poem, in one of Rumi's writings?

4. What are the amazing things prophets have done, according to the writings of Rumi?

5. What does Rumi say has happened since he has been knocking on a door?

6. What is the metaphor Rumi uses in order to describe the pull of love in one's life and how one should be pulled by love?

7. Describe the metaphor Rumi uses when it comes to the black sky and the moon.

8. What happens after Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, according to the writings of Rumi?

9. What do Barks and Rumi have to say about the rhythms and the way that a person breathes in their life?

10. What is the real work of human beings, according to the writings of Rumi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many cases, Rumi seems to be struggling with his feelings about God and about his life, writing them out in his poems.

Part 1: Do you think it's normal to have problems deciding what you feel about your religion and your faith?

Part 2: Why do you think Rumi continues to struggle with his relationship with God, its meaning, and its importance?

Part 3: Should there come a time when you don't have to struggle with the idea of your faith anymore?

Essay Topic 2

Rumi continues to use metaphors in the poems, helping to show the reader how they are akin to other beings and plants in the world.

Part 1: Why do you think poets rely on metaphors to help them with their messages?

Part 2: Do you think it's better to use metaphors or to speak directly to a reader?

Part 3: How do you think the metaphors affect a reader? How did the metaphors affect you as you read them?

Essay Topic 3

According to Rumi, anything or anyone that is loved reflects the lover's spirituality as love brings one closer to God.

Part 1: What kinds of love do you think Rumi feels are going to best bring someone closer to God?

Part 2: How do you think love brings one closer to God and closer to spiritual fulfillment?

Part 3: Is it possible for everyone to find love and thus to find spiritual fulfillment?

(see the answer keys)

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