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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 do Ludvik and Helena have lunch after she arrives in Moravia?

2. Who is the narrator of part six?

3. Who is Vladimir?

4. When Zemanek spoke out against Ludvik in his hearing about the postcard, he quotes one person at length. Who is it?

5. What is Helena's favorite word?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe the Helena Ludvik is finally attracted to.

5. How does Jaroslav feel about Ludvik when they see each other after Ludvik's sentence at Ostrava?

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

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

8. How does Ludvik describe his first meeting with Helena?

9. How does Jaroslav imagine his mother?

10. Why did Zemanek read Fucik at Ludvik's hearing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What major event ends the novel "The Joke", and what does it symbolize?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

What does Miss. Broz come to symbolize to Ludvik? Zemanek?

(see the answer keys)

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