"Howl" Quiz

Group 1 “Howl” Quiz

Fill out the blanks with the most appropriate vocabulary word. A word bank is provided below for your reference.

_________________ - (adj)  in an immobile or unresponsive stupor

_________________ - (v) look thoughtfully for a long time at

_________________ - (n) an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement

_________________ - (adj) extremely thin and bony

_________________ - (n) a surgical operation involving incision into the prefrontal lobe of the brain, formerly used to treat mental illness.

_________________ - (n) the state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening.

_________________ - (adj) intimate and affectionate but not sexual.

_________________ - (n) a room or a set of rooms forming a separate residence within a house or block of apartments.

_________________ -  (n) a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

_________________ - (n) an angelic being, regarded in traditional Christian angelology as belonging to the highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy, associated with light, ardor, and purity

Word Bank:

catatonic  platonic  seraphim  lobotomy contemplate

tenement  gaunt   oblivion  anecdote ecstasy

Answer the questions below to the best of your knowledge. Be clear and concise. Each question should take you about 30 seconds to complete.

Who was “Howl” inspired by?

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According to Ginsberg, what was being destroyed in his generation?

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What is one thing Moloch represents?

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What is Rockland and who's there?

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Who is the “who” referring to throughout Part I?

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Answer the questions below to the best of your knowledge. Be clear and concise. Each question should take you about 5 minutes to complete.

Does Ginsberg have an optimistic or pessimistic view on humankind?

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Who are the “best minds” of Ginsberg’s generation, and why is it an issue that they are being destroyed?

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How does Ginsberg’s culture affect his writing?

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Take a stance on the topic given below, and write an essay making your argument.

Does Ginsberg's use of profanity and vulgar language make the poem more or less effective? Explain why or why not using lines from the text.

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