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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 was behind the nursery door? (Poem 5-"Jamaica")

2. What, in the poem beginning "The Endless quest a vigil", state would be missed?

3. Who did Morrison say was drinking from the swimming pool? (Poem 4-"Jamaica")

4. What did Morrison describe as having a "cold white neon bosom"? (Poem 4-"Jamaica")

5. What "stunned the earth" in the second poem of the "Drywater" section?

Short Essay Questions

1. What message did Morrison claim was being sent at the end of the fourth poem in the "Drywater" section?

2. In the poem that began "Blessings", what is Morrison asking readers to do?

3. How did Morrison describe the vultures in the poem from the section "Jamaica"?

4. What did Morrison say needed to be done about the situation that the pilots were in? (Poem 2-"Village Tapes")

5. In the poem "Science of Night", whom is Morrison addressing?

6. Why did Morrison have the principal of the school holding his nose? ("Jamaica")

7. In the ninth poem from the "Village Tapes" section, who is Morrison looking for?

8. In the poem from the section "Jamaica", what did Morrison describe was happening?

9. What did the poem that began "Silver shaken in the gloom" speak about?

10. What did Morrison say America did to him? ("Jamaica")

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the separation of poetry throughout the book. How did the editor chose to section off the book? Was this consequential to the understanding of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Address you feelings for Morrison. How do you feel about him as a man? Can you relate to the problems that he claimed to face? Where did you feel sorry for him? Where did you think that he may have been seen as distant and untruthful? Do you think his poetry created an honest portrayal of him as a person? Or did he always maintain a level that you could not relate to? Explain. Use textual evidence to answer the questions to support your answers.

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