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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. The commentator remarks in the Introduction, "It should be emphasized that Rilke's language is thoroughly _______."

2. The poem "Gong" makes use of what literary technique?

3. In "The Poet Praises," Rilke writes, "Maidens, you warm ones, maidens, you mute and dumb, / dance the taste of the experienced _____!"

4. In "Rilke's Poems on Other Difficulties," Rilke writes in one poem from 1924, "We are not to know why / this and that _____ us."

5. Which poem begins with the line, "And the last perhaps will not return"?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the untitled poems following "The Lovers," what imagery does the poet use?

2. What does Mood say in regard to Rilke's vision of Eros in the Prologue?

3. What does Rilke say of questions and answers in his first essay?

4. What is the subject and imagery in the poem "Magic"?

5. How does Rilke regard the difficulty of sex in his opening letters?

6. What reference does Rilke use to the god Hermes in The Seven Phallic Poems?

7. What is Rilke's discussion regarding religion and the Christian church specifically in his letters?

8. How does Rilke suggest sexuality should be regarded in terms of innocence? What does he say of children?

9. What happens when one gives oneself completely over to love, according to the poet?

10. Discuss the subjects and imagery of "The Poems Praise."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the poems, "Greek Love-Talk" and "The Lovers," describing an analysis of their structure, the placement of punctuation and capitalization, and assonance or alliteration.

Essay Topic 2

What is the subject and theme of "Mausoleum"? What mythological allusion does the poet use in this poem? What structural components stand out in this poem?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Rilke's writing in terms of the themes of "patience," "experience," and "youth." What metaphors and symbols does he use to approach these topics?

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