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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. In the 211th Chorus of "Mexico City Blues," Jack Kerouac wishes to be freed from the material world through _____________.

2. What were the charges brought against the poem "Howl"?

3. Upon which Beat writer was The Dharma Bums based?

4. Who is Allen Ginsberg known as in On the Road?

5. Where did Allen Ginsberg move in the 1950s?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is John Clellon Holmes, and what is his impact on the Beat Generation?

2. Describe the subject of "Visions of Cody."

3. Who is Neal Cassady? How is he introduced in the text?

4. What is the theme of the poem "Kaddish"?

5. Describe William S. Burroughs' excerpt from "Junky." What is significant about this subject?

6. What political references are made in the poem "America"?

7. What does Kerouac's letter to Neal Cassady reveal about their friendship?

8. Describe John Clellon Holmes' writing style. How does it compare with Kerouac's?

9. Describe the poetry of Gregory Corso, including subject and themes.

10. What repetition is used in the "Peyote Poem"? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the works of William S. Burroughs. What common subjects and themes does Burroughs revisit? When did Burroughs begin writing?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss and describe the world events which directly or indirectly instigated the Beat Generation. How do the members of the Beat Generation view mainstream society? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the poets Gary Snyder and Philip Whalen. Where did these poets meet? How did they become associated with the Beat Generation?

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