Question

the prophet
kahlil gibran
love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself
love possesses not nor would it be possessed,
for love is sufficient unto love.
when you love you should not say, god is in my heart, but rather, i am in the heart
of god.
and think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy,
directs your course.
love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.
but if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
to melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. 10
to know the pain of too much tenderness.
to be wounded by your own understanding of love;
and to bleed willingly and joyfully.
to wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
to rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy; 15
to return home at eventide with gratitude;
and then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise
upon your lips.
the author juxtaposes a negative idea with a positive and result within the
following lines:
to melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
to know the pain of too much tenderness.
to be wounded by your own understanding of love;
and to bleed willingly and joyfully.
how does this contrast help develop the meaning of the poem?

1. it suggests that love will always result in pain.
2. it asks the reader to consider their own experiences with love and whether

they include pain or not.

1. it prophesies that even though love looks attractive from the outside, that it

is actually quite painful at times.

1. it suggests that even though there can be uncomfortable aspects of love,

that love is the greatest and most rewarding experience.
26 multiple choice 3 points
which statement best states the theme of the poem?

• love is the greatest of all human experiences.
• love causes people to become irrational.
• love is risky and should be avoided.
• anyone can fall in love.

17 multiple choice 3 points
which of these responses is most supported by details in this poem?

• gibran is describing the ways we can control love.
• gibran shows the need for more self-assertion in matters of love.
• gibran stresses that love is more powerful than we are.
• gibran focuses on the dangers of love.

Explanation:

Question 26 (Theme of the poem)

The poem "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran emphasizes the value and depth of love. The lines like "To smile at chaos with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving" and the contrast of pain (e.g., "To know the pain of too much tenderness") with joyful aspects of love support the idea that love is the greatest human experience. Other options: "Love causes irrationality" is not supported, "Love is risky to avoid" contradicts the poem’s tone, and "Anyone can fall in love" is not the main theme.

The poem says "Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself" and "you cannot direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course", showing love’s power over people. Other options: The poem states you can’t control love (so first is wrong), self - assertion isn’t a focus (second wrong), and the poem focuses on love’s beauty and depth, not dangers (fourth wrong).

The contrast in the poem (pain like "too much tenderness" and "wounded by your own understanding" with joyful actions like "bend willingly and joyfully") shows that even with uncomfortable parts, love is rewarding. The first option says love always causes pain (too extreme), the second is about reader’s experience (not the poem’s focus), the third says love is painful (ignores the joyful aspects).

Answer:

A. Love is the greatest of all human experiences. (Note: Assuming the first option is labeled A, as per the selected radio button in the image)

Question 17 (Response supported by poem details)