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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 "Solomon Poems" are devoted to the spiritual life, referring to:

2. Rumi notes that free choice can be made by men and women who have not been:

3. In one poem in Book 2, Chapter 1, Rumi uses the image of Jesus Christ riding atop a donkey to explain a lesson about what?

4. The first poem in Book 2, Chapter 3 is about the story of:

5. Through many of his poems, Rumi communicates that a person can never really know how another:

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Rumi disagree with holy scriptures?

2. What are some of the lessons inherent in the story of the Friend assisting the prisoner through the prayer rug?

3. Summarize the countryside man's experience in "Town and Country."

4. Explain what the Mathnawi is.

5. In the story where a king falls in love with a girl, and the girl becomes ill, what does the king learn about himself after a doctor arrives on the scene?

6. In one of Rumi's story poems, in what predicament do three fish find themselves?

7. As Sheik, what is Rumi's ruling philosophy?

8. In one of Rumi's stories, how does a wise man end up helping a poor man by showing "tough love?"

9. What is the solution to King Solomon's crown constantly sliding down his forehead?

10. Summarize the shopkeeper's experience in "Town and Country."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Ayaz is a character that appears repeatedly throughout many of Rumi's poems. How does Ayaz evolve through Rumi's writings? In what ways is Ayaz similar to Rumi? To Rumi's friends? How does Rumi use Ayaz to explain to the reader some of his own life experiences?

Essay Topic 3

Using at least three examples from Rumi's poetry, explain his views on cultivating love. How does he teach his students about this topic through his poems? What conclusion, if any, does he reach regarding the attainment of love?

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