Study Guide

The Unbearable Lightness of Being Part 5, Chapter 6

By Milan Kundera

Part 5, Chapter 6

Tomas is angry with himself for not realizing sooner who the man represented.
Two weeks later, the Ministry pays him another visit. This time, Tomas is on his guard.
They meet in Tomas's office. The man has a "sample statement" for Tomas to sign.
Tomas reads the statement. It is not only a retraction of his article, but full-on praise for the Communist Party.
Tomas gives it back and shakes his head.
Fine, says the man – write your own statement instead.
Tomas worries that if he gives a flat "no," then they might publish it anyway with a fake signature from him. So he agrees to write his own to buy some time. Then he resigns from the clinic and becomes a window washer, because he knows they will have no more interest in his opinion when he is no longer a doctor.

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