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 modern times, what is a term used to describe the act of portraying something negative in a positive way?

2. In Act 1, Scene 6, what is the one signal of hope that Gross does not see, symbolizing that he has lost all hope in his current situation?

3. What does the clerk's character symbolize?

4. What does Ballas manipulate Gross into admitting in Act 1, Scene 6?

5. What does Gross ask Lear to do for him in Act 1, Scene 5?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does the fire extinguisher symbolize?

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

5. How is Lear's explanation of Ptydepe used to display the arrogance and self-indulgent actions of bureaucrats?

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

7. What possibility does Lear's empty classroom at the end of Act 2, Scene 8 symbolize?

8. What is Lear lecturing about during Act 2, Scene 11, and why does it cause Gross to stop and listen?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the new language, Chorukor, represent in the overall theme of the play? What is the major difference between it and Ptydepe? Explain in detail how each of the main characters react to Chorukor and why their reaction is significant. Do you believe that it can potentially fail in the same way that Ptydepe did, or will the same mistake keep being made? What will stop the mistake from being made again?

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

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 1,144 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample