How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph), with the exception of Part V, which runs (Part#. "Short Title". Paragraph). Part V has no numbered chapters—only title headings.
Quote #7
And so she closed her eyes again to enjoy her body, because for the first time in her life her body was taking pleasure in the absence of the soul, which, imagining nothing, remembering nothing, had quietly left the room. (VI.16.5)
Tamina has a metaphysical experience that's difficult to understand. It's also highly creepy since it involves children as givers of pleasure. Kundera seems to want us to focus less on the creep factor of the situation and more on the concept of "weightlessness": an existence not dragged down by pesky things like morals, memories, or ideals. But, of course, the point is that this kind of weightlessness forces us back into a kind of metaphysical childhood, in all the worst ways.
Quote #8
The two young people lie naked side by side, filled with an immense, vague desire. They embrace, press against each other, are closely entwined. They stay this way for a long, long time, not knowing what more to do. They think that this embrace is the beginning and end of love's pleasure. They are aroused, their hearts are pounding, but they do not know what it is to make love. (VII.2.5)
This is the story of Daphnis and Chloe, those ancient adolescents who got the first taste of sexual arousal and thought that they'd hit the jackpot. Jan wants to be just like them so that he never knows the disappointment of sexual "fulfillment." He's known from an early age that there has to be something more out there than just the limited experience of human sexuality—but he doesn't know what it could be.
Quote #9
"All I mean," replied Jan, "is that rape is part of eroticism, but castration is its negation."
Edwige emptied her glass in one gulp and responded angrily: "If rape is part of eroticism, then eroticism as a whole is directed against women and it's necessary to invent another kind." (VII.8.18-19)
Jan represents a damaging myth of sexuality that persists in many parts of society: that rape fantasies (and rape itself) are a normal part of male arousal and sexuality. In his mind, women's desire to efface this fantasy emasculates men. Edwige (like us) is not buying it and ultimately takes Jan down a notch by laughing at him and his stupid theories.