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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. During the filming, how does Maman push Jaromil back into the role of a young child?
(a) By reminding him of immature ideas he used to believe.
(b) By telling embarrassing stories of his childhood.
(c) By calling him her little troublemaker.
(d) By calling him pet names.

2. While watching the beautiful cinematographer on the bus, what does Jaromil realize?
(a) How little his poetry is worth compared to the cinematographer.
(b) That he has fallen in love with her.
(c) That he will never love anyone but Maman.
(d) How ugly the redhead is.

3. Why does the lyrical poet make his poetry striking?
(a) He speaks out of powerful places in History.
(b) His subject matter demands a strong voice.
(c) His life is uneventful.
(d) Only striking poetry will be accepted by the readers.

4. When does Jaromil's anger toward the girl at last subside?
(a) When she cries.
(b) When she begs for his forgiveness.
(c) When he chokes her.
(d) When he hits her.

5. At the end of Part 6, what sound does Kundera hear?
(a) The rustle of bedclothes.
(b) Jaromil's breath.
(c) The future walking.
(d) Death stamping its feet.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Jaromil agree to read in the presentation of poets?

2. While Jaromil is talking with the redhead about love, how does death enter the conversation?

3. After Jaromil hears about the girl's brother, what action does he want her to take?

4. In Kundera's example, what will happen to the poet if he steps outside his mirrored domain?

5. What had the middle-aged man done when the girl was arrested?

Short Essay Questions

1. Near the end of the book, Xavier betrays Jaromil by leaving him behind. What is the significance of this scene?

2. When the girl visits the middle-aged man, she is wearing winter clothes. What does this detail reveal about the timing in the story?

3. "Only a real poet knows how lonely it is inside the mirrored house of poetry" (Part 7, Chapter 1, pg 289). Where else does the reader see mirrors in the story, and how does this sentence relate to Jaromil's life?

4. "History does not always make a dramatic entrance, it often seeps through every-day life like dirty dishwater. In our story, History makes its appearance in the guise of underwear" (Part 5, Chapter 8, pg 239). What does this mean in the context of Jaromil's story?

5. How does the author insert his own thoughts into Part 6, Chapter 1? What effect does this have on this entire part?

6. What does the middle-aged man tell the girl about Jaromil? How is this story the opposite of what Jaromil ever wanted?

7. How does Jaromil feel while he is visiting the janitor's son at the police station? What does this say about his personal growth?

8. When Jaromil is angry at the redhead for being fifteen minutes late, what change ensues in their relationship? How does this mark a turning point in Jaromil's development as a person?

9. During the party at the cinematography girl's apartment, how does Jaromil's clothing reflect his state of mind?

10. What happens when Jaromil recites his poems to the audience of police members? How does this compare to the hopes he has had?

(see the answer keys)

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