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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. Sabina did not share Franz's passion for...

2. After the encounter with the immigrants, which stirred her up quite a bit, how did Sabina react when she saw Franz sitting on a couchette?

3. What did Franz feel with regards to his love for Sabina?

4. What did Tereza remember most of Dubeck's speech, the one he made after his return from Moscow?

5. What did Karenin hate?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Part 4, Chapter 3, describe the meeting of the the crowd of umbrellas in the street which Tereza encounters.

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

3. In Part 2, Chapter 29, what were Tereza's first thought when Tomas had come back to Prague because of her?

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

5. What did the bowler hat represent for Sabina?

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

7. Describe Tereza's mother:

8. In Part 3, Chapter 4, what is the immigrant's reaction to Sabina's behavior?

9. In Part 3, Chapter 4, how does Sabina feel about her own unfairness towards the immigrants?

10. What did Tereza write in the letter that she'd left for Tomas in Zurich?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Would you stay home for the sake of loved ones or travel overseas to help a country in need? Why or why not? What is more important, home and family or helping big causes? How would Franz's life ended up had he remained at home or returned safely home? What do you think happened to his mistress?

Essay Topic 2

Milan Kundera writes that Franz and Simon are the dreamers of this novel.

1. Compare and contrast the characters of Franz and Simon. How are they the same? How are they different?

2. What purpose does Franza and Simon serve in the novel? Use 3 events from the book where Franz and Simon's characters have an influence on the theme, and the characters, of the book.

3. Who is the bigger dreamer, Franz or Simon? Cite several examples from the book to support your case.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the three options to write about:

1. Kandera compares the behavior of animals to that of humans. Cite 3 examples where Kandera compares animals to humans and discuss his views on this subject.

2. Kandera questions why humans don't have the selfless love that exists between people and animals. Tereza, for instance, has a better love for her dog than for Tomas. Cite 3 examples of how Tereza's love for her dog Karenin is better than her love for Tomas. What actions would have made her love unconditional?

3. Tereza treats the animals she comes across well. Would she have made a good mother? How do you think her childhood experience might have influenced her relationship with her children, had she had any? Would she have been a happier more fulfilled woman had she had children?

(see the answer keys)

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