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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. What is the narrator doing when part four begins?

2. What does Kostka decide to do when he resigns from University?

3. Kostka reveals how he feels about Ludvik. What does Kostka call Ludvik?

4. Jaroslav states, "It's not your __________ that condemn you to to solitude, it's your __________."

5. How far back does Jaroslav trace his beloved music back in history? Where do the musical roots begin?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Jaroslav's house.

4. Why does Ludvik say that women don't talk about their husbands to their lovers?

5. How does Ludvik's memory of Helena differ from Helena in reality, upon their meeting in Moravia?

6. How is Jaroslav's planning developing for the upcoming Ride of the Kings progressing?

7. How did Kostka feel about Ludvik defending him to the University?

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

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

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

What is the significance of "the mirror" to the characters of "The Joke"? Pick two characters to focus your essay.

Essay Topic 2

What does the Black Insignia signify to Ludvik? To the Party?

Essay Topic 3

Fully describe the ceremony of the Ride of the Kings. What is the significance of this ceremony in the book?

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This section contains 705 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample