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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. After leaving the ring, what does Kundera do?

2. When did Marketa dislike her mother-in-law?

3. How does Kundera feel about the dancing?

4. Why is Kundera asked to leave the ring?

5. Why does Marketa begin to write her mother-in-law?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Zdena response to Mirek's request for his letters and do you think she is being fair to Mirek?

2. Who is Mirek going to visit and why?

3. How is the fur hat symbolic?

4. What happens when Mirek arrives back home and how is this somewhat ironic?

5. What happens that embarrasses Mama?

6. Where does Mirek stop and why is that problematic?

7. Why do you think Marketa asks Eva to pretend she is Marketa's cousin?

8. What happens when Karel receives a phone call and how is the outcome ironic?

9. How would the relationship between Marketa and Karel change if Marketa cheats on him with Eva and her husband?

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

In Part 4, Tamina first asks Bibi and then Hugo to retrieve her letters from Prague. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Tamina does not go retrieve the letters herself? Explain fully with details from the text.

2. In relying upon others to get the letters, Tamina surrenders her personal power over her life. Do you think she is capable of assuming power over her own life?

3. How is living in the past another way of surrendering her personal power?

Essay Topic 2

In Part 2, "Mama," the collective past of Karel and Marketa tires them, bringing them to their present and future actions. They wish to erase their past and forget their history to create a new future. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. How is Karel and Marketa's situation of their past history a metaphor for the history of Czechoslovakia?

2. Do you think erasing the past is the best way to create a different future? Explain fully.

3. Is it even possible to erase the past completely either as an individual, couple or country? Explain fully.

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.

(see the answer keys)

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