The Memorandum Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

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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. Why does the Department of Authentication refuse to authenticate the new log book?

2. What is significant about the examples Lear uses for the word, "boo?"

3. Which phrase best describes the clerk's actions?

4. What does Gross declare is reduced when people are forbidden to use their natural language?

5. What is it about the letter that automatically irritates Gross?

Short Essay Questions

1. After all of the speculation throughout the play, what are the contents of Gross' memo revealed to be, and what effect does this have on him?

2. What are some examples of the familiarity of Ballas' morning as Managing Director and what is it similar to?

3. What do the cigars symbolize and how are they used to introduce the Staff Watcher's place in the play?

4. How is Gross manipulated again in Act 1, Scene 5?

5. How do Stroll and Savant talk about Maria and what do they infer about Gross?

6. What are some of the differences between Ballas and Gross in their experiences as Managing Director?

7. What significant discovery does Ballas make at the end of Act 2, Scene 7?

8. What is the game that Helena plays with Gross and what does it symbolize?

9. Describe the difference between Thumb and Gross as the characters are portrayed in Act 1, Scene 2.

10. What do we notice right away about the relationship between Ballas and Pillar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the writing techniques used by Havel is the repeated cycles he creates for the story. This is a way for an event or situation to be "recycled" in order to make a point. Describe in detail an example of how events were repeated for which characters. Were the events exactly the same as when they appeared originally in the play? If not, what was different about them? Why did Havel choose to make these changes? For each repeated event, also include the point Havel makes with it.

Essay Topic 2

The protest in Scene 10 of Act 2 is one of Havel's most blatant illustrations of the dangers he is writing the play to raise awareness of. How does the protest relate to those dangers? What does it say about the bureaucrats involved? Also, explain Pillar's specific role in the protest and the warning Havel is making through his work. Include the significance of Pillar's name and how it fits in with the character's purpose in the plot at this point in the play.

Essay Topic 3

Maria's new independence provides an optimistic ending of the play for the audience. What does it symbolize, not just for the character, but also for the main theme of the entire play? How does her departure symbolize hope? What does it say about freedom in general as it relates to independence?

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