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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. What, according to Morrison, would it take for songs and poetry to survive?

2. What passed at the end of the poem "Tape Noon"?

3. In the first poem of the book, what is left to wander?

4. In "he enters stage", who was Morrison looking for?

5. What did Morrison state he was consumed by? (From the poem that started "In that year")

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the different ways that Morrison referred to Jones in "Ode to LA"?

2. What were the musical references that Morrison made in "Ode to LA"?

3. Why did Morrison call an interview an "existential moment"?

4. In the poem that began "An angel runs", what happened when the angel ran?

5. In the poem that began "Why does my mind circle around you", what did Morrison say was wrong with the dog?

6. What did Morrison state was the aim of his poetry?

7. Who is Ophelia in the poem "Ode to LA"?

8. What did Morrison ask of the bird of prey? (In the poem that began "Bird of prey, Bird of prey")

9. How did Morrison describe the girl in "Orange County Suite"?

10. In the poem that began "Moonshine night", what were the "young folk" doing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Morrison, many time, brings into the poetry references to drugs and alcohol. Discuss at least three different references and the impact that the reference had on Morrison and his life. Where did Morrison bring up drugs/alcohol? How did this reference speak to the theme of the poem? Why was this reference important to what Morrison wanted to say? Was the reference positive or negative? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Morrison stated that he was very influenced by the image of the dead Indians on the side of the road. It is here where some may say Morrison became obsessed with death. Chose three of the poems whose themes speak to that of death. How did Morrison convey his feelings regarding death in the poem? How did he feel about the coming of death? Did he seem afraid or comforted with death in the poem?

Essay Topic 3

In a few of the poems, Morrison described relationships that he had with women. Discuss the different relationships that Morrison described in the poetry. What was the relationship based upon? How did you know this? How did Morrison feel about the relationship? About the woman? Use textual evidence to support your findings.

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