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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. When Rumi died, he was mourned by members of all of the following religious groups except _______.

2. The poet quotes Muhammad in one of the poems, saying that he will come take a person before _________.

3. Rumi suggests "My _____ is from elsewhere. Whoever brought me here will have to take me home."

4. Rumi's students saw ______ as a madman and he was eventually forced out of the area.

5. Who is the spiritual leader who is approached in order to see how a person might be coaxed into learning?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rumi realize about his friend Shams when he doesn't believe that he is actually dead?

2. 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?

3. To what does Rumi compare human beings who do not explore their own spirituality?

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

5. After the narrator says they are no religion or culture, not east or west, what does the narrator say they do belong to?

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

7. What is the question Shams asks Rumi, which leads Rumi to believe that Shams is a great person?

8. What does Zuleikha, an Egyptian woman in love with Joseph, do with the shirt that Joseph wears in the story?

9. Who does Rumi say will not be able to wake to the truth, according to the writings of Rumi?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The concept of translating poems from one language to another is tricky as one can never be sure whether the translation is 'right.'

Part 1: Do you think that an accurate translation is better than one which is more thoughtful?

Part 2: How do you think a poem might change during the course of being translated?

Part 3: Why do you think Coleman Barks thought it necessary to translate these poems?

Essay Topic 2

Some of the poems in this collection of Rumi's work celebrate the idea of openness in life and in spirit.

Part 1: Why do you think openness is essential in life?

Part 2: Do you think that openness is something which can be easily cultivated in life?

Part 3: How do you think that you can personally cultivate more openness in your own life?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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