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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. What disguise does Jaromil use for treating the redhead with cruelty?
(a) Concern for the girl.
(b) Anger at Maman.
(c) Concern for their relationship.
(d) Wounded love.

2. What location is Maman most excited to film in?
(a) The countryside surrounding Prague.
(b) Jaromil's bedroom.
(c) Her garden.
(d) The artist's studio.

3. How does Jaromil feel after talking to the police about the redhead's brother?
(a) Afraid for the train of events he has started.
(b) Eager to help the state.
(c) Emotionally shaken.
(d) Confident and more decisive.

4. 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.

5. When Maman returns home early one evening while the redhead is visiting, what does she pretend is happening?
(a) Jaromil is disobeying a house rule and the redhead must leave.
(b) She is sick and needs Jaromil to take care of her.
(c) She is having a heart attack in the kitchen.
(d) The redhead is having cramps and needs her help.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does Jaromil feel that the girl belongs to him completely?

2. What happens during the second half of Jaromil's poetry recitation?

3. How does the old poet describe the cinematographer and Jaromil?

4. Why was Maman initially pleased to think about meeting Jaromil's girlfriend?

5. When the redhead is fifteen minutes late, what is the first excuse she gives Jaromil?

Short Essay Questions

1. In planning the documentary about Jaromil's life, what do Maman and Jaromil reveal about themselves? What do they reveal about their relationship?

2. "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?

3. Maman is disillusioned about the cinematography girl after the girl does not invite her to the party. How does this show the similarity between Maman and the girl?

4. After not sleeping with the cinematographer, Jaromil considers his underwear for a long time, in light of the women involved. What does he decide? How does this single piece of clothing drive so much of what he does?

5. Kundera says that the young person can be so loyally devoted to an idea because he believes in absolutes (Part 5, Chapter 6, pg 220). How does this fit with Jaromil's personality?

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

7. What are Jaromil's hopes for the two women in his life? What does this show about his understanding of both women?

8. What is Maman's opinion about the redheaded girl? How does her reaction perpetuate the cycle of her own relationship with Jaromil?

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

10. The group of poets, Jaromil among them, is invited to speak at the police academy in the countryside. What is the irony of this situation and what does it say about the ideals they espouse?

(see the answer keys)

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