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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 "For the Chinese New Year & For Bill Berkson," what is O'Hara's generation going to do?

2. In "Five Poems," what does O'Hara question about himself?

3. Where is O'Hara in "In Memoir of Sergei O"?

4. What does O'Hara assert is the true face of the city in "For the Chinese New Year & For Bill Berkson"?

5. In "For the Chinese New Year & For Bill Berkson," what does O'Hara assert is behind order and kindness?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the poem "St. Paul and All That" about?

2. Why does O'Hara think the world is coming to an end in "For the Chinese New Year & For Bill Berkson"?

3. In the poem "For the Chinese New Year & For Bill Berkson," where does O'Hara take comfort?

4. What is the symbolism of the snow and fog in "How to Get There"?

5. Describe O'Hara's vision of his New York in "Steps."

6. How does O'Hara explain love at the end of "St. Paul and All That"?

7. Describe two of the cities that O'Hara mentions in "Mary Desti's Ass."

8. In what style is "Pistachio Tree at Chateau Noir" written?

9. Describe the dream O'Hara has in "Kamin's Dance Shop."

10. What is O'Hara convinced his generation is going to do in "For the Chinese New Year & For Bill Berkson"? How is this similar to the previous generation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is visual poetry? Provide an example of visual poetry in O'Hara's collection. How does visual poetry contribute to the writing style of the poem?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how O'Hara's poetry differs from the poetry of his idols, the Russian and German poets. How has poetry evolved over time?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the theme in "Image of the Buddha Preaching" and another poem of your choice. How does O'Hara present the theme to the reader in each poem? Are these themes seen in other poems in this collection?

(see the answer keys)

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