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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. Which profession does Hugo believe should be able to retire in twenty years with a full pension like policemen, firemen, and service personnel?

2. The British colonel that Hugo meets in Europe on his tour of duty is what member of the British aristocracy?

3. Hugo states that when he was in graduate school, a published scholar who wrote clearly was referred to as a _____.

4. What is the name of the bombardier that attended Stanford University for a year or two?

5. What other types of writing does Hugo say are already in English departments, making them the logical place to teach creative writing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is blank white paper not recommended for writing poetry by Hugo?

2. According to Hugo, why are the poet's feelings about himself influential to his writing?

3. Why does Hugo recommend that the poet carry with him at all times and why?

4. Why does Hugo say to take emotional possession of a few words?

5. How does Hugo describe teaching the student in a class who is not necessarily good at writing?

6. Why does Hugo say that Cerignola has a bad reputation in Italy?

7. How does Auden express his disdain for competitiveness among writers?

8. What is the atmosphere between the literature and creative writing departments at Montana as described by Hugo?

9. Why is acclaim considered by Hugo to be dangerous to the poet?

10. Why does Hugo sometimes feel that he is perverse?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Hugo's experience in the grassy field near Spinazzola? How does a psychoanalyst categorize his experience years later? What is the poem that he writes about Spinazzola about?

Essay Topic 2

What are the advantages pointed out by Hugo of making up the rules as the poet goes along? What should making up rules do for the poet?

Essay Topic 3

What does Hugo feel is the role of competition in being a poetry writer? Who does he know that is competitive about it? What is the effect Hugo sees as a result of being competitive?

(see the answer keys)

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