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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. Where is Ballas located at the end of Act 1, Scene 4?

2. Where does the Staff Watcher watch from?

3. What do Ballas and Gross argue about?

4. What does Stroll tell Gross is necessary in order to prevent any further individualism?

5. What does the clerk receive for asking the questions?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Gross report to the Training Center in Act 1, Scene 5, and what is he carrying?

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

3. Describe two main methods that Ballas uses in Act 1, Scene 4 to get Gross to comply?

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

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

6. What are two main issues that Gross has with Ptydepe in Act 1, Scene 1?

7. What reasoning does Gross give Maria for not reversing the decision about her job?

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

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

10. What does the fire extinguisher symbolize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Thumb is an essential part of the bureaucratic system, even though he seems largely unaware of it. What is his specific role in the play and in the larger theme of the story? Which character traits allow him to fulfill that role? What are the more serious dangers that Thumb represents a warning against?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

How does the final scene display the need to confront the attempt to suppress individualism and freedom at any cost? Which characters in the scene illustrate that the most? Why do you think Havel chose those characters to make the strongest point of the play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,071 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample