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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 Marketa not feel threatened by Eva?

2. What is the subject of the poem?

3. What is Klement Gottwald doing?

4. How does Mirek feel when he and Zdena break up their relationship?

5. What is Mirek being followed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens that embarrasses Mama?

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

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

4. Who is Mirek going to visit and why?

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

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

7. What is upsetting about Mama's visit and why doesn't Marketa do anything about it?

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

In Part 3, "The Angels," laughter is discussed and analyzed at great length. Discuss the following:

1. Compare and contrast the different types of laughter discussed in Part III.

2. Which types of laughter could be labeled "good" or "uplifting"? Explain.

3. Which types of laughter could be labeled "bad" or "harmful"? Explain fully.

Essay Topic 3

In Part 1, the concept of lost letters and their connection to a person's past is an important theme to the novel, as well as a strong foreshadowing of what is to transpire between Tamina and other characters in the novel. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Discuss the way the letters represent a power struggle between Mirek and Zdena and what one of them loses who lose the power struggle.

2. Discuss how the letters Mirek seeks from Zdena are unimportant compared to the letters the police find at his house. What are the implications about Mirek and the choices he makes concerning the letters? Is Mirek irresponsible?

3. Discuss how the trip for Mirek to recover his letters from Zdena is a reflection of the larger pursuit that the main character Tamina will undertake in future chapters.

(see the answer keys)

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