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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 will happen to the record of Clementis' life?
3. Who addresses the Czech people?
4. What does Eva want?
5. Why do Michelle and Gabrielle start to cry?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does Marketa contemplate doing with Eva near the end of the chapter?
2. What does Kundera say about laughter in response to Michelle and Gabrielle's laughter?
3. How does Marketa's feelings towards her mother-in-law change over time?
4. What is the difference between how Mama views memory versus how Karel and Marketa do?
5. What is the meaning of laughter in part 3?
6. What is remembered about Clementis?
7. What happens that embarrasses Mama?
8. What do Kundera and other students do around 1948 and why? Do you think Kundera is speaking metaphorically or actuality.
9. What situation in Kundera's personal past does he discuss after writing about laughter?
10. 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?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
In Part 3, "The Angels," it says that in 1948, Kundera was involved in the political parties of his time and "danced in a ring." Then he is asked to leave the ring for saying the wrong thing. Kundera watches the dancing with envy and in his recollection, Eluard stands in a ring with other students eventually dancing their way into the sky as they float away, happily, above Kundera's head. Discuss the following:
1. What do you think is the connection between being involved in political parties and dancing in a ring?
2. Is the ring a metaphor for belonging? Explain.
3. What do you think Kundera means when he says the students eventually dance their way into the sky as they float away, happily, above Kundera's head?
Essay Topic 2
In Part 3, "The Angels," Kundera is hired to write astrology columns for a political magazine after he is banned from working by the government. While on the job, he is asked to give the personal astrological reading of a Communist in secret. He gives him the "reading" and the editor of the magazine tells him the powerful man becomes a much nicer, softer man after reading it. Discuss the following:
1. How do you think Kundera's story about astrology fits in with the rest of this novel?
2. Why do you think an astrology reading changes a man? Do you think this is a true anecdote?
3. Do you think Kundera is suggesting that astrology has as much a reason for what happens in the political arena of Czechoslovakia as anything else? Explain.
Essay Topic 3
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.
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This section contains 1,370 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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