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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. What is Jack Kerouac's most famous novel?

2. To whom does Allen Ginsberg write from a mental institution in "Howl"?

3. When did Neal Cassady's parents divorce?

4. Where did Allen Ginsberg grow up?

5. How old was Neal Cassady when he was first arrested for theft?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some examples of religious allusion in "Howl"? What do they represent?

2. Describe the subject of "Visions of Cody."

3. What are Herbert Huncke's contributions in the anthology? On what subjects does he focus?

4. Describe the symbolism in "On the Road" as it relates to the theme of American values. What is an example of Kerouac's metaphor of America?

5. What does Ann Charters write about Carl Solomon in his biographical information? What is his work about?

6. Where does Jack Kerouac refer to his own style of writing in "On the Road"? What metaphor does the author make?

7. What do Cassady's letters to Kerouac reveal about him?

8. In his letters to Kerouac, what is Cassady's description of how he lost his old girlfriend Joan in Denver?

9. What does Kerouac's letter to Neal Cassady reveal about their friendship?

10. What is Ginsberg's subject in "A Supermarket in America"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the importance of the novel Go and John Clellon Holmes' impact on the Beat Generation. What was the response of the Beats upon Go's publication?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Lawrence Ferlinghetti's role within the Beat Generation. Where is Ferlinghetti based? What is his style of writing?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the impact that the members of the Beat Generation had on those around them, as expressed in "Tales of Beatnik Glory." What were their families like?

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