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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. Who did Morrison state was scattered on the highway bleeding? (From the poem that began "Bird of prey")

2. What did Morrison compare "wild promises" to? ( "Why does my mind circle around you")

3. What was the first poem that Morrison wrote?

4. What did the monarch, in "I am a guide to the Labyrinth", sink into?

5. What grade, in school, did Morrison write his first poem?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Morrison use the imagery of the gardener in both "When radio dark night existed" (from "Far Arden") and "Ode to LA"?

2. What did Morrison state was the aim of his poetry?

3. Who is Ophelia in the poem "Ode to LA"?

4. What were the musical references that Morrison made in "Ode to LA"?

5. What was happening on the beach in the poem that began "A vast and radiant beach& a cool"?

6. What did Morrison say about the elimination of "space fillers" in an interview?

7. How did Morrison state Jones' body looked when the gardener found it?

8. How did Morrison describe the girl in "Orange County Suite"?

9. What did Morrison state that the "ancient ones" wanted? (In the poem that began "A vast and radiant beach & a cool")

10. In the poem that began "Well I'll tell you a story of whiskey", what did Morrison say about how the "whole thing began"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Morrison stated that he was very influenced by the image of the dead Indians on the side of the road. It is here where some may say Morrison became obsessed with death. Chose three of the poems whose themes speak to that of death. How did Morrison convey his feelings regarding death in the poem? How did he feel about the coming of death? Did he seem afraid or comforted with death in the poem?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the use of metaphors in Morrison's poetry. Find at least three metaphors that Morrison used in his poetry and explain the comparison that he made. What was Morrison comparing? What did the comparison lead you to believe about Morrison's thoughts on the object he described? Why does the comparison work? How does the comparison create confusion? Why do you think Morrison used the specific comparison?

Essay Topic 3

"THE PONY EXPRESS" 21st May 1954

The pony express carried the mail

Over hill, over dale.

Over rough rugged trails

And the brave men that carried it

Didn't complain,

For they knew they were helping their good country's name

They rode and rode through

Strong winds and rain just

To carry the mail and build

Up our name

Over Indian country and great sandy plains,

They carried the mail and shared our fame.

"The Pony Express" was Morrison's first poem. Discuss the similarities between his writing as an adult to those of his first poem. What imagery did Morrison still use? How is the theme similar to poetry from his adulthood? What distinct image do you find that Morrison carried with him?

(see the answer keys)

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