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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 a poem entitled "Rough Metaphors," Rumi asserts that a lover's reverence is often sheltered in:

2. Many of Rumi's poems are so personal that they help readers reconnect to what?

3. Rumi indicates that people who have blind faith are following this path through what?

4. Saladin of Zarkub was what?

5. In the end, how does the King regard Ayaz in a poem in Book 1, Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who were Rumi's three best friends, and how did he regard each?

2. Briefly explain Rumi's metaphor of sugar and vinegar.

3. How do Coleman Barks' preambles prepare the reader?

4. How would one describe the tavern poems?

5. How has Rumi's poetry impacted Coleman Barks?

6. What is the poet's message about friendship in his writings about a frog and a mouse?

7. What lessons are found within the poem "Cry Out In Your Weakness?"

8. What does the poem about a mouse and a camel convey about friendship and honesty?

9. Summarize the poet's message about the importance of balance with respect to the "animal soul."

10. Explain Rumi's thoughts on love in comparison to jealousy and fear.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What important lessons come through in the poem "Town and Country"? Describe the friendship between the two friends in this story. When the tables are turned and the shopkeeper gets to walk in the countryside man's shoes, how are his eyes opened? What does he finally see, after so many years, about the suffering his friend experienced when he first arrived in town?

Essay Topic 2

How does Rumi use Muslim and Christian teachings to support his ideas, messages, lessons, and findings? Using at least one example from each religion, show how the religious teaching makes it into Rumi's teachings.

Essay Topic 3

How does Rumi regard blind acceptance of certain practices, attitudes, and ideas? In his eyes, how can the inner guide serve as a voice of reason and direction when convention tries to pull an individual the wrong way?

(see the answer keys)

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