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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What does Gross' new position in Act 2, Scene 8 represent in the overall arch of the plot?
2. How does George categorize Maria's actions?
3. What is Ballas' initial reaction to Gross' news?
4. What is Ballas' role in Lear's class?
5. What is Ballas holding when he enters the room in Act 2, Scene 9?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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 2
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?
Essay Topic 3
The protest in Scene 10 of Act 2 is one of Havel's most blatant illustrations of the dangers he is writing the play to raise awareness of. How does the protest relate to those dangers? What does it say about the bureaucrats involved? Also, explain Pillar's specific role in the protest and the warning Havel is making through his work. Include the significance of Pillar's name and how it fits in with the character's purpose in the plot at this point in the play.
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This section contains 365 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
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