The Unbearable Lightness of Being

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

by

Milan Kundera

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The Unbearable Lightness of Being: Part 5, Chapter 14 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
The editor tells Tomas that he really enjoyed the Oedipus article, and Simon comments that some ideas are very powerful. Tomas says that because of the Oedipus article, he can no longer practice as a doctor, but the editor assures Tomas that his article saved lives. Tomas doesn’t know about that, he says, but he is sure he saved lives as a surgeon. Simon says that ideas save lives, too, and it is Tomas’s “duty to sign.” Tomas hands the petition back and refuses to sign. 
Tomas clearly disagrees with the Communist regime, but he doesn’t want to give them a reason to come after him again. Tomas knows that those who sign such a petition will be smeared publically by the regime. Tomas clearly does not like that Simon has told him what his “duty” is, which may be related to Tomas’s guilt for abandoning Simon and his “duty” as a father. 
Themes
Power, Politics, and Inequality Theme Icon