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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 religion is practiced by Ginsberg?

2. Which of the following is not represented in HOWL?

3. What is the theme of this poem?

4. What does the item represent?

5. Where is it located?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the poet speak about the people of his generation?

2. How does Ginsberg relate holiness to people?

3. What is Ginsberg's take on people who may not be righteous?

4. Which things mentioned in the beginning of the poem bring serenity to the author?

5. What is Ginsberg's first encounter with Whitman?

6. How does Ginsberg's lack of money affect his attitude in this poem?

7. What were some of the things the people of Ginsberg's generation did to try and ease the pain of youth?

8. What is Ginsberg's dream about being with Whitman in the store?

9. According to Williams and Ginsberg, how is it possible for love to survive?

10. What is Ginsberg's opinion of Whitman? How does the younger poet view the older, more famous poet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In HOWL, Ginsberg talks about sex, drugs, alcohol, etc. as a substitute for something missing in one's life. Examine this theory. Do you agree or disagree? What proof is there to support each side of the argument? What is the basis for addiction? Is there a cure? If so, what is it and how is it administered? What is the "cure" rate for alcoholics and drugs addicts? Is one ever cured?

Essay Topic 2

Although there may have been difficult times post World War I and World War II, Ginsberg speaks a lot about gratitude. Why is gratitude so important? How is it possible to be grateful in the face of poverty or war? What is Ginsberg's opinion on material possessions? Explain what Ginsberg meant by having riches beyond material things. Write an opinion on simplicity versus materialism.

Essay Topic 3

In AN ASPHODEL Ginsberg talks about lust and quenching desire. Were writers discussing this topic 100 years before? Write about the similarities and differences in the poetry of the 1850s versus Ginsberg worked in the 1950s. Do you think that there is a great difference between need and emotional connection between people given the fact that Ginsberg is gay? What are your own experiences with identifying and quelling at various desires - mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical?

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