The Unbearable Lightness of Being Chapter Summary & Analysis | Part 3, Chapter 3 "A Short Dictionary of Misunderstood Words"

Part 3, Chapter 3 "A Short Dictionary of Misunderstood Words" Summary

Kundera breaks from the story to define certain words by Sabina and Franz. How they perceive the meanings of these words shows the great divide between Sabina and Franz, and helps define them at the same time.

Part 3, Chapter 3 "A Short Dictionary of Misunderstood Words" Analysis

Woman is the first word Kundera defines. Sabina does not feel comfortable with the title of woman. She considers it a matter of fact that anatomically she is a woman, but dispels the traditional idea of what society decrees a woman to be. Franz is a traditional thinking man. By calling Sabina a "woman" during one of their first meetings, it is his way of complementing her sexual appeal. Sabina is uncomfortable, because she feels Franz's assertion makes a distinction between her and his wife, Marie-Claude. Franz marries Marie-Claude, because she threatens suicide if Franz had leaves her. Franz decides to marry her, as well as respect the "woman" in her. Franz regards...
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