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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. Mary Swenson received a degree in which discipline?

2. Schuyler compares poetry to which of the following?

3. Which poet cites Auden and Frost as his influences?

4. "The Day Lady Died" refers to which of the following women?

5. In what year did Swenson move to New York?

Short Essay Questions

1. Give a brief overview of Robert Lowell's life and work as a poet. What were Lowell's main topics? Which techniques did he favor when writing poetry? Also list at least four of Lowell's poems.

2. Which major award was won by W. D. Snodgrass? How might Snodgrass' poems be described?

3. Examine the unique style of Anthony Hecht as well as some of his professional experiences. Also list some of the poems written by Hecht and included in this book.

4. Examine Robert Duncan's childhood and how it affected his career.

5. What is unusual about W.S. Merwin's choice of career? What are some of the main topics and/or themes often used by Merwin?

6. Discuss some of Denise Levertov's themes as well as potential influences on her work and her life.

7. Why is Robert Penn Warren considered to be one of the country's most famous poets? What position did Warren hold in the 1960s?

8. Give a brief description of Jean Garrigue's life and work.

9. Describe William Meredith's work and his main focus. Also list some of the poems included in his section.

10. What contributions did Mona Van Duyn make to the literary world? What was Van Duyn's biggest accomplishment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

W.S. Merwin is one of the poets that patterned his work after the traditional and classic English romantic poetry. Examine in detail the concept and technique involved in writing traditional and classic English romantic poetry. What other poets have followed this format? Why did some poets shy away from or completely distance themselves from this type of poetry? Write a 500 word essay on English romantic poetry. Also include five poems that best represent the style.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss juxtaposition and how it might help or hinder a poet's work. How does one choose the appropriate items or subjects to juxtapose? Write two poems - one with effective juxtaposition and one where the juxtaposition fails to make the poem interesting, distinct, or understood. Also examine at least one of the poems included by Allen Ginsberg and Charles Simic to better understand the use of juxtaposition.

Essay Topic 3

There are several places in the book that refer to having an argument with self or warring with making a decision or opinion about a specific item or event. Choose one of the following:

1. Write a series of poems featuring the two sides of self involved in an ethical dilemma. Be sure to represent each side equally.

2. Write a series of poems from the perspective of a person with a personality or mental disorder, such as the ones suffered by Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton.

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