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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. What is happening to Mirek's house when he arrives?

2. Where is Marketa's ten-year-old son on Easter?

3. What do Eva, Marketa and Karel frequently do?

4. What does Marketa do for the Easter weekend?

5. What do the police find?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Marketa's feelings towards her mother-in-law change over time?

2. How does Kundera's loss of his friends in the dancing circle affect him later?

3. How is the fur hat symbolic?

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

5. Why does Mirek want his old love letters back from Zdena and do you think his goal is possible?

6. What does Mirek think of Zdena when they first meet and then become lovers?

7. What is the larger meaning of the letters which Mirek is supposedly seeking to have back?

8. Why do you think Kundera agrees to write an astrology column?

9. What is the meaning of laughter in part 3?

10. How does Marketa meet Eva and how does the relationship evolve to include Karel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In part 5, "Litost," a student at the Writer's Club states that only a poet can understand the value of what he writes and others may never get it at all. Discuss the following:

1. What is the purpose of poetry if not to communicate to others?

2. Do you think the above statement only applies to poetry? Why or why not?

3. If no one can understand the value of something one writes, is it worth writing it? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In Part 2, "Mama," when Marketa learns of Karel's next date with a mistress, both she and Karel are angry. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss why you think both Karel and Marketa are angry.

2. How strong can a relationship be if both feel the need to have sexual liaisons with someone else? Explain fully.

3. Do you think Marketa and Karel's relationship can be salvaged? Explain fully.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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