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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 asks the reader to welcome all __________ in one's life, even the ones which are negative.

2. What images in the book does Barks say reflect the idea of openings within the world and in the poems?

3. Lovers have to ________________, but they will find something of infinite value, according to the writing of Rumi.

4. Barks talks about a teacher, Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, who taught both himself and MIchael Green, the book's __________.

5. Rumi stops his list of things which he uses to describe a friend within his poem in order to ______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rumi try to do in order to find his lover again, according to the writings of Rumi?

2. What does Barks ask a reader to do in relation to being in a state of spirituality?

3. What happened to his crying when the poet was brought to life, according to the writings of Rumi?

4. What does Barks suggest is the identity of the 'you' in Rumi's poem, as it is not clear who this person is?

5. What does Rumi say that he doesn't regret in his life, according to one of his poems?

6. Why does the poet ask Shams and the Sun to help him in his poems, according to the writings of Rumi?

7. What happens as the result of the spiritual journey that Shams and Rumi discuss?

8. How does Rumi describe the idea of love in the last section of these poems?

9. What are the three ways in which Rumi could write, according to Shams?

10. How does Rumi describe the person named David in his writings and poems?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Within many of the poems that Rumi writes are references to biblical figures, even though Rumi is considered to be another religion besides Christian.

Part 1: Why do you think Rumi resonates with the stories of the biblical figures?

Part 2: Does it seem to be cultural appropriation to use the biblical stories in Rumi's poems?

Part 3: How do you think stories can impact us, even if they're not 'our' stories?

Essay Topic 2

The spirituality in these poems is apparent, even if it's not clear there is a specific dogma to which Rumi ascribes.

Part 1: Why do you think spirituality was so important to Rumi when he was writing his poems?

Part 2: Do you think that spirituality informs all writing or just poetry?

Part 3: How do you think the poems might have changed without the introduction of spirituality?

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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