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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. According to Ladinsky, Hafiz is thought of as an _______ so able was he to access the voice of God.

2. Chapter 9 opens with the poem "The Prettiest ______" in which human beings are compared to dumb herding animals.

3. Hafiz wrote his poems in the ______ century. However, dignitaries throughout the ages since, including the Queen of England consulted his works.

4. In the poem "We Have not Come to Take ________", Hafiz suggests that people run from those who threaten one's spiritual vision.

5. The poem "What do the _____ Birds Say" uses the symbolism of blooming nature to describe the blossoming revelation of God.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the ratio of copies of Hafiz's work in relation to the Quran in his own hometown city of Shiraz?

2. What was so special about Shiraz where Hafiz grew up, unlike many of the other surrounding cities?

3. In "I Rain," to what is Hafiz's poetry compared within the actions of nature and weather?

4. In "When the Violin," what does Hafiz mean to use the violin imagery to symbolize in the poem?

5. Why were Hafiz's poems destroyed by the fundamentalist Islamic leadership?

6. What is the imagery that Hafiz uses in the poem, "Someone Untied Your Camel"?

7. What is the overall expression found in "A Strange Feather, " according to this translation of Hafiz?

8. What is the message Hafiz tries to tell the reader in "Really Just a Tambourine," according to this translation of Hafiz?

9. What is the purpose of the poem, "Everywhere, " according to this translation of Hafiz?

10. What did Queen Victoria do with the poetry of Hafiz when she read it during her reign?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hafiz uses a poem to describe the idea of burning something away which is destructive.

Part 1: Do you think that burning something away is always destructive?

Part 2: How do you feel about the idea of destroying something else?

Part 3: What do you think happens when a person burns away things in their life which do not serve them?

Essay Topic 2

In one poem, Hafiz warns the reader about not finding joy in work and then being swallowed up by the world.

Part 1: Do you think it's always possible to find joy in work?

Part 2: How do you think a person might find joy in something they don't necessarily want to do?

Part 3: Why do you think it's important to find joy in one's life and in one's work?

Essay Topic 3

Hafiz likes to use nature in his poems in order to express what he means, which is common among many poets.

Part 1: Why does nature help in expressing the ideas one has?

Part 2: Do you think that there are better ways to express the ideas in a poem besides nature?

Part 3: How do you feel about nature in general? Does it inspire deeper thoughts for you?

(see the answer keys)

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