Part 5, Chapters 1-4 Summary

Kundera recounts the day that Tereza came to visit Tomas in Prague, and she came down with a terrible fever. He parallels the story of Oedipus with Tomas's taking Tereza into his home. Both Oedipus and Tomas are responsible for their misery and that of those they love.

Tomas further ruminates on the story of Oedipus in regards to the Communist occupation of Czechoslovakia. As Oedipus unknowingly slept with his mother, some who originally followed the Communists claim they did not know the atrocities Russia would bring. However, Tomas points out that at least Oedipus could blame himself and feel the guilt of his actions, and put his eyes out. He is disgusted that the repentant Communist followers can not do the same. Tomas writes a letter to the editor of a weekly paper with his Oedipus/Communist thesis...