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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 Mirek initially become involved with Zdena?
2. What do the police find?
3. After leaving the ring, what does Kundera do?
4. Where does Kundera remember a number of historical events happening?
5. What does Mama forget?
Short Essay Questions
1. Who is Mirek going to visit and why?
2. What happens that embarrasses Mama?
3. Why does Kundera quit dancing and what does he imagine about the dancing? Of what do you think his imagining about the dancing is symbolic?
4. What happens when Karel receives a phone call and how is the outcome ironic?
5. What is remembered about Clementis?
6. How does Marketa meet Eva and how does the relationship evolve to include Karel?
7. Why does Mirek want his old love letters back from Zdena and do you think his goal is possible?
8. What does Kundera say about laughter in response to Michelle and Gabrielle's laughter?
9. Why do you think Kundera agrees to write an astrology column?
10. How does Kundera's loss of his friends in the dancing circle affect him later?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Much of this book, which could also be considered a collection of short stories related thematically, hinges upon knowledge of the political milieu of Czechoslovakia from 1948 through the early 1970's. Discuss one of the following (These topics will require research):
1. Briefly summarize the political, social and cultural climate of Czechoslovakia in 1948 when the book opens. How is what you have learned about Czechoslovakia of that era relevant to Kundera's book?
2. Briefly summarize the political, social and cultural climate of Czechoslovakia of 1968 when the invasion by Russia of Czechoslovakia takes place. How is what you have learned about Czechoslovakia of that era relevant to Kundera's book?
3. Discuss the ways the setting informs two major themes in the book. Use detailed examples.
Essay Topic 2
In Part 1, the narrator says that Mirek has always been ashamed of Zdena for the simple fact that she is ugly. Much of this book deals with sexual relationships. Discuss one of the following:
1. Do you think Mirek's attitude about a woman's attractiveness is fairly universal? Why or why not? Discuss his attitude and then expand on that.
2. What do you think is the basis of the relationship between Marketa and Karel? Do you think they have a fairly "typical" relationship?
3. Do men base relationships on different criteria than women? Use examples from the book and your personal knowledge.
Essay Topic 3
In Part 4, Kundera describes graphomania, which is the obsessive drive to write a book. In order for this condition to exist, the people in the society must have an elevated sense of well-being, an absence of dramatic events in their life and a general isolation between individuals. Discuss the following:
1. Research the term graphomania and explain it fully.
2. Do you think all writers suffer from graphomania?
3. From what compulsion do writers that do not come from countries with the conditions listed above write?
4. Do you think Kundera suffers from graphomania?
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This section contains 1,250 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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