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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. Gross is being intentionally forced to lose more of what?

2. Who does Gross talk to while he is waiting for Helena?

3. What is further illustrated in Scene 2?

4. What is Gross searching for throughout Act 1, Scene 3?

5. Who is revealed to be the person that authorized the use of Ptydepe?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What significant discovery does Ballas make at the end of Act 2, Scene 7?

4. How does Lear explain Ptydepe in describing the process for learning it?

5. What do Ballas and Column continue to perpetuate by going to lunch in the middle of Lear's lecture in Act 2, Scene 11?

6. What is the game that Helena plays with Gross and what does it symbolize?

7. 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?

8. Where does Gross pass through in Act 2, Scene 8, what is he carrying, and what does that represent?

9. What is it about Gross' personality that makes him susceptible to Ballas' manipulation?

10. Describe the difference between Thumb and Gross as the characters are portrayed in Act 1, Scene 2.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the writing techniques used by Havel is the repeated cycles he creates for the story. This is a way for an event or situation to be "recycled" in order to make a point. Describe in detail an example of how events were repeated for which characters. Were the events exactly the same as when they appeared originally in the play? If not, what was different about them? Why did Havel choose to make these changes? For each repeated event, also include the point Havel makes with it.

Essay Topic 2

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 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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