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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 happens on the first step of the ladder, according to Book II, Chapter XIX?

2. In what other way does the author describe the passions of man being at rest?

3. What happens to human senses, according to the author, when a human is in the darkness?

4. In what is the soul enveloped before passing through the dark night?

5. What step of the ladder feels like heaven on earth?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does a purifying fire of love affect the souls of humans and angels in relation to a closeness with God as described by the author?

2. Why does a soul have to wear a disguise as it ascends the secret ladder?

3. What is St. John's explained purpose for writing the book Dark Night of the Soul in Book II, Chapter XXII?

4. How can a soul reach the sixth step on the secret ladder, as written in Book II, Chapter XX? What do men receive while on this step?

5. In Book II, Chapter XV, why does the soul praise the darkness that causes so much pain?

6. Why does the author say that people who have never passed through the dark night understand spiritual freedom?

7. How does St. John of the Cross use Mary Magdalene as an example of a soul passing through the second night of darkness?

8. How does St. John conclude his book in the final chapter?

9. How can the soul experience the presence of God while in the dark night, as described by the author in Book II, Chapter XIII?

10. What does St. John say happens to the soul after it has become enkindled and starts yearning for God? What would happen if the fire were to go away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The concept of the dark night was originally expressed in St. John's poem "The Stanzas of the Soul" which he expounds upon in Dark Night of the Soul. Answer the following questions with support from the text:

1) How does "The Stanzas of the Soul" influence the way Dark Night of the Soul is written?

2) How does the imagery of the poem aid the reader in understanding Dark Night of the Soul?

3) How does the poetic imagery of the poem portray the dark night differently than the text in Dark Night of the Soul?

Essay Topic 2

The length of the dark night of spirituality and how much pain a soul has to endure is different for every person. Using supporting examples, please respond with an essay to the following:

1) Why does the duration of the dark night and the amount of pain experienced by a soul vary from person to person?

2) Who has the final say in the duration and intensity of the dark night?

3) What is the fate of a soul who is chosen to have extremely intense darkness?

Essay Topic 3

Angels are mentioned throughout the text of Dark Night of the Soul and have specific qualities described by St. John. Please respond to the following with examples from the text that support your answer:

1) How are angels portrayed in the text with similar qualities as humans?

2) How does an angel become closer to God in spirituality?

3) What do both angels and humans experience which provides them with a commonality?

(see the answer keys)

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