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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 did Jaroslav go to University?

2. Who gave Helena the pendant she wears?

3. After what family event did Ludvik denounce the Church?

4. Who finally broke Lucie of her fear of physical intimacy?

5. What music does Jaroslav compare to folk music?

Short Essay Questions

1. What moved Jaroslav to become Vlasta's "protector?"

2. Describe the difference between Ludvik and Kostka's perceived relationship, according to Kostka.

3. How does Kostka justify leaving his wife and child?

4. How does Jaroslav imagine his mother?

5. Describe Kostka's analysis of Ludvik - what does Kostka feel Ludvik's deepest motives are?

6. What happened to the historical music and literature of Czech nation in the nineteenth century?

7. How does Kostka feel about how he treated Lucie, when he reflects back?

8. How does Jaroslav describe the "Communists of the time," after his first year at University?

9. Describe the way Ludvik is successful in his seduction of Helena.

10. Describe Jaroslav's dream at the beginning of part four.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Ludvik seduce Helena and what goes wrong with his plan?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the altercation between Jaroslav and Vlasta at the end of "The Joke". How does their fight reflect their whole relationship?

Essay Topic 3

What makes Lucie afraid of physical intimacy and how is it overcome?

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