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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 happens when Mirek stops to have his car checked?

2. What is Zdena's response?

3. What does Marketa ask Eva to do?

4. What is Mirek being followed?

5. What happens when Mirek leaves Zdena's place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Mirek going to visit and why?

2. What is remembered about Clementis?

3. What is the difference between how Mama views memory versus how Karel and Marketa do?

4. What does Kundera say about laughter in response to Michelle and Gabrielle's laughter?

5. What do Kundera and other students do around 1948 and why? Do you think Kundera is speaking metaphorically or actuality.

6. What does this Kundera say about our collective past?

7. How is the fur hat symbolic?

8. What situation in Kundera's personal past does he discuss after writing about laughter?

9. What are Michelle and Gabrielle doing and what is their response?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The final chapter, "Borders," seems to suggest the idea of borders through repetition. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think this chapter is titled "Borders"?

2. Does the concept of borders appear in each chapter? Explain with examples.

3. Do you think there is a reason Kundera titles the last chapter "Borders" as opposed to any other chapter in the book? Explain fully.

4. How is the concept of borders related to that of repetition? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

THE BOOK OF LAUGHTER AND FORGETTING could be considered a collection of short stories related thematically. Discuss one of the following:

1. Discuss the theme of laughter as it occurs in three of the parts. Analyze the theme and create a thesis about laughter with which you think Kundera would agree.

2. There is a saying, "Laughter is the Best Medicine." Agree or disagree with this statement as far as this book is concerned.

3. Discuss for which of the characters laughter is important and why. Give specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

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