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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. What does Ballas constantly look to Pillar for?

2. What does the clerk's character symbolize?

3. What is the overall point that Havel is making in Act 1, Scene 5?

4. Lear agrees to help Gross, only if he can show that his interest in Ptydepe is what?

5. Where does Gross wish he could return to at the end of Acct 1, Scene 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the cigars symbolize and how are they used to introduce the Staff Watcher's place in the play?

2. What is it about the letter Gross receives that gets his attention, why is it significant to the play, and how does Gross react to it?

3. What is ironic about the way the conversation between Gross and Ballas starts and the way it concludes, specifically concerning Gross' job?

4. What are some examples of Stroll's initial behavior that further symbolize the intention of keeping Gross out of the loop?

5. What explanation does Ballas offer to Gross and what position does he offer him?

6. How is Gross manipulated again in Act 1, Scene 5?

7. What are some of the differences between Ballas and Gross in their experiences as Managing Director?

8. What important message does Maria give to Gross at the beginning of the second part of Act 2, Scene 9, part 2 about winning, and how does it apply to his situation?

9. What is both ironic and significant about Pillar's outburst at the end of Act 2, Scene 10?

10. What does Maria's locating a new job for Gross say about her as a character, and what does Gross' reason for staying with the company say about him as a character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A recurring theme that Havel uses through his characters is the "spin" that they provide in order to justify their actions and in some cases, hide their motives.

1) Describe in detail how Lear uses spin to legitimatize Ptydepe. Why does he use this technique when introducing and explaining the new language? What is the overall purpose for his deception?

2) Besides the example of Lear's lectures, what other time in the play was spin used to justify something or as a means to an end? Which character used it? Again, why was this tactic chosen for that specific situation?

Essay Topic 2

Maria's new independence provides an optimistic ending of the play for the audience. What does it symbolize, not just for the character, but also for the main theme of the entire play? How does her departure symbolize hope? What does it say about freedom in general as it relates to independence?

Essay Topic 3

Manipulation is one of the main weapons used against Gross throughout the entire play. Using several examples from the play, describe in detail how Gross is manipulated on a variety of different levels. What is the objective of the manipulation? Why is it effective? Overall, why is manipulation necessary to the way a bureaucratic system functions? How does the play illustrate the way manipulation can lead to control over someone?

(see the answer keys)

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