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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 habit does Hana have that prevents her from doing work?

2. What does Gross do with the letter?

3. What is the clerk's name in Scene 2?

4. At the beginning of the play, what kind of letter does Gross receive?

5. As explained in the play, what is Ptydepe designed to reduce?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gross' signature of the Ptydepe authorization set into motion?

2. What does the introduction of Ptydepe signal in the play as it pertains to Gross and his position within the company?

3. Explain the symbolic meanings behind some of the characters introduced in Act 1, Scene 3.

4. What are the noticeable habits of Hana, the secretary, that are displayed in the beginning of the play?

5. How does Lear explain the complexities of Ptydepe to the class?

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

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

8. What does the fact that Gross doesn't know the answers to Lear's Ptydepe questions also symbolize, and what is ironic about it?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In the beginning of the play, Ptydepe is introduced as the new language of the office. This starts the chain of events that lead to many discoveries for the characters and the audience.

1) What does Ptydepe represent within the context of the play? What is it a symbol for in the bureaucracy and why does it cause Gross to become so frustrated?

2) How does Ptydepe tie in with the larger theme of the play, specifically as it relates to the dangers of a socialist/communist system of government? Why do you think Havel chose a language to illustrate his point?

Essay Topic 3

At a few key times in the play, sparks of hope present themselves. This is what keeps the audience hoping that Gross can turn things around, and it is also what makes them believe it may be possible.

1) Describe some examples of hope that Gross does not see or recognize at the time they are presented to him. What is the irony of this? What does it say about Gross' character?

2) The character of Maria is consistently a main source of hope for Gross. Why do you think Gross is inclined to receive positive messages from her more than from other characters? What is it about Maria's personality that allows her to break through the bureaucracy and provide the hope Gross desperately needs?

(see the answer keys)

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