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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. In Part 3, Chapter 9, what does Sabina do after she and Franz return from Rome?

2. What did Tereza propose to Sabina?

3. What did Karenin hate?

4. What did Tereza purchase every morning for Karenin?

5. What incident led Franz to tell his wife about his affair?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the dream about the naked women in the pool, who resembled each other and who were one by one executed by Tomas, represent?

2. What happens to Franz after Sabina leaves him for good?

3. How did Tomas ensure that erotic friendship never grew into the aggression of love?

4. Describe Tereza's mother:

5. What were Tereza's dreams about?

6. What is Sabina's views on conflict?

7. What does the word "woman" represent for Franz?

8. Is reaching the lightness of being Sabina's goal?

9. What argument does Tereza use when she rejects the offer to take photos of a cactus?

10. What is Tereza's relationship with her body?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tomas and Tereza are crushed in a car accident.

1. Did Tomas and Tereza live under a lot of weight throughout their relationship? Cite examples.

2. Kundera claims that weight represents a more realistic life. Do you agree? Is Tomas and Tereza's life more realistic than other characters in the novel, such as Sabina and Franz?

3. Throughout the novel, does Tomas and Tereza make decisions with the intent of approaching lightness or weight? What is the results? Cite 3 incidences where their decisions lead to lightness or weight.

Essay Topic 2

If you were living in Prague during the invasion, would you have fled the country? Where would you have gone? Would you have stayed for the love of your country and fellowmen knowing you may lose your job?

Essay Topic 3

Tomas and Tereza's love is based on her fidelity.

1. Did Tereza's infidelity help her achieve her goal of having Tomas all to herself? What would have happened had Tereza not had an affair? Did her infidelity cure her from jealousy?

2. Tereza does not believe that Tomas would throw her out if he learns of her affair. What then would Tomas have done? How would him knowing have changed the nature of their relationship?

3. Had Tereza not given up her life to Tomas, making him certain of her fidelity, would he have fallen in love with her and married her? What does your answer say about his character?

(see the answer keys)

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