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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 second excerpt from On the Road, where are the two main characters initially?

2. Who is the character Japhy Ryder is based on in "The Dharma Bums"?

3. Who is the author of the poem "A Berry Feast"?

4. What is the first excerpted selection of Gregory Corso's in the text?

5. Where did the Six Gallery reading take place?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Ann Charters write about Carl Solomon in his biographical information? What is his work about?

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

4. Describe the symbolism in "On the Road" as it relates to the theme of American values. What is an example of Kerouac's metaphor of America?

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

6. Describe the exposition from the beginning excerpt of "On the Road." Who are the characters introduced?

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

8. Who is Micheal McClure? Describe his "Peyote Poem."

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

10. What religious allusion is used in the poem "Thou Shalt Not Kill"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the New York School of Poetry? When did it originate? Who were the key members? How does it relate to the Beat Generation?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the relationship between Neal Cassady and Jack Kerouac, as illustrated in their letters. How do the two men regard one another?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the poet Michael McClure. What are his contributions to the Beat Generation? In what works has he been immortalized?

(see the answer keys)

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