View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. in Act 1, Scene 5, what does Lear attempt to illustrate about Ptydepe?

2. What does Gross do with the letter?

3. What does Ballas threaten Gross with?

4. What does Gross' lack of Ptydepe knowledge signal, according to Lear?

5. What is Gross's new title?

Short Essay Questions

1. What events lead Gross to speak out against the technological advances that are affecting humanity?

2. What is different about Thumb's responses in Act 2, Scene 8 as compared to earlier in the play?

3. 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?

4. How is the symbolism of the fire extinguisher heightened at the beginning of the second part of Act 2, Scene 9, part 2 with George and Gross?

5. What do Hana's habits and actions symbolize?

6. Who is Thumb and what does the character represent?

7. What is a Ptydepeist, and what is their purpose?

8. What are some examples of the familiarity of Ballas' morning as Managing Director and what is it similar to?

9. How do Stroll and Savant talk about Maria and what do they infer about Gross?

10. How does Gross justify his situation to himself towards the end of Act 1, Scene 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Havel introduces many forms of symbolism by using objects to illustrate his point.

1) Choose three different objects that are a form of symbolism and describe in detail what they represent. Include how they are used in the storyline and why they are effective. What is Havel trying to tell the audience with each of them?

2) Out of the examples you chose in the first section, are there any that are more important to the plot? What makes them more important? How do they fit into the overall theme and main point of the play?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In Scene 3 of Act 1, there is a very significant scene involving Maria, Gross, and the Staff Watcher. Describe the scene in detail, highlighting its importance and the messages it delivers. What does it specifically say about each of three characters involved? In a metaphorical sense, what do the cigars represent and why is that a key element to the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,101 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample