Final Exam: Study Guide
Part 1: Essay
One of the following three prompts will be used for the final exam.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is perhaps the original example of the archetypal narrative: the hero's quest.
After the death of his companion, Enkidu, Gilgamesh sets forth on a quest for immortality.
Though Gilgamesh ultimately falls short in his effort to gain eternal life, the quest itself has a positive effect on his outlook on life, his behavior towards others, and his thoughts on the nature immortality. In your essay, consider the full scope of Gilgamesh's life (the excerpts we covered) and construct a persuasive argument with the purpose of showing how the quest wholly transforms him.
The framed stories that make up "The Fisherman and the Jinnee" have been told and retold for centuries. Consider the elements of the folk tale and construct a persuasive argument in order to show why these tales have endured. What is it about this tale, and perhaps folk tales in general, that has a lasting, universal appeal? What is valuable about the folk tale tradition? Why do such tales possess cross-cultural significance?
The poetry of Rumi often falls into the category of didactic literature, which has the purpose of establishing codes of behavior and human truths. Rumi's "Two Kinds of Intelligence" is a poem that presents such a human truth, namely that the consciousness of the human individual is divided into two distinct parts. What are these two parts? How are they different? Which part is privileged? Why is it privileged? In your essay, analyze Rumi's poem and make sure your thesis is a claim responds to this question: why does Rumi see one part of the self as more important than the other? (The poem will be included.)
Part 2: Key terms and literary devices (Short answer and multiple choice)
May be used in context with the material we have covered. the epic (14-15) archetype (17) characterization (17) the folk tale (86) narrative structure (86) analogy (117) direct metaphor (117) implied metaphor (117)

aphorism (265)
Taoism ( 266-267)
Confucianism (268-270) stanza (277) imagery (277)
shih poems (279) ballads (279) refrain (279) incremental variation (279) tanka (297) haiku (297)
kigo (297)
kireji (cutting word) allegory (657)
Part 3: Vocabulary (matching) cajole catalyst banal agitate perfidious transient debase thwart succumb subvert raze divulge cognizant ubiquitous wield exalt negate genial corrosive modicum interminable haughty intrepid cruciverbalist augment promulgate placate exhort insinuate convoluted disconcert deficit pertinent benign munificent dilatory obscure heinous felicitous insidious torpid exultant cohesion disseminate penitent florid requisition irresolute latent scorn morose polarize ambivalent pompous tenacious