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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. How did Tereza feel in the country?

2. In Part 5, Chapter 2, who does the author attribute the works of the Communist regime of Central Europe?

3. Why did Franzy initially reject the invitation to march in Cambodia?

4. What was the one thing Tomas associated the words "helping people" with?

5. What Czech text was written on the poster hanging on the editor's wall?

Short Essay Questions

1. Kundera writes, whenever a single political movement corners power, we find ourselves in the realm of totalitarian kitsch. What does he mean by the word "totalitarian?"

2. In Part 5, Chapter 10, what distinguishes the women who looks like a giraffe and a stork from others?

3. In the end, Tereza knows she has reached her goals. What are her goals?

4. Why does Franz change his mind and decide to go to Cambodia?

5. Does Tomas make a mistake by returning to Prague from Zurich?

6. How do people react as Tomas tries to decide whether or not to retract his article?

7. Describe Simon's relationship with his mother.

8. Is it Tereza's fault that Tomas had to leave his profession and ended up a truck driver in the country?

9. In Part 7, Chapter 4, why does Tereza think that her love for Karenin is better than the love between her and Tomas?

10. Was Tomas right in not having signed the petition?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the three options to write about:

1. Throughout The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Kundera brings up God on a number of occasions. Using examples from the book, discuss his views on this particular subject.

2. Except for Simon and Marie-Claude, all the characters are involved in some type of infidelity. Does the political environment influence people to this type of lifestyle?

3. Describe "kitsch," especially how the author relates it to politics. Use 2 examples, not concerned with the book, of modern day situations that would be considered "kitsch."

Essay Topic 2

Tomas and Tereza are brought together by fortuitous events.

1. Kandera often brings up the fortuitous events that brought Tomas and Tereza together. How many times does Kandera bring this up> What is he trying to say? Were Tereza and Tomas brought together by chance or fate?

2. Tomas questions the fortuitous events that brought him and Tereza together. Why didn't Tomas go beyond the questioning and conclude whether or not they did belong together? Was Tomas too passive in the relationship, allowing for those fortuitous events to lead the meaning of the relationship? Cite 3 examples that prove your theory.

3. Tereza holds steady to the fortuitous events that brought her to Tomas. Why does that not bring her peace? Cite 3 examples where she fully recognizes she's in an unhappy relationship.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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