The Joke

Jaroslav has a dream inspired by the folk traditions that he loves so much. In the dream, he finds himself in a strange land. He is approached by strange people who address him as “king.” When he asks to be taken to his queen, Vlasta, they blindfold him and place him on a horse.

Jaroslav wakes up and thinks about the Ride of the Kings, a folk festival that will take place in two days. His son, Vladimir, has been chosen to play the role of the king in the festivities as a way of honoring Jaroslav’s work in preserving folk traditions. However, Vladimir is reluctant to take part. Jaroslav then thinks about a strange encounter he had with his oldest friend, Ludvik. Earlier in the day, he spotted Ludvik in town for the first time in many years. Ludvik seemed to ignore him, which bothered him. He thinks about how people from cities like Prague have turned folk musicians into “a laughingstock” in recent years. He hopes that Vladimir will understand how important these traditions are to him.

Jaroslav remembers playing his harmonium for Vladimir. He wants his son to understand the importance of folk music as a form of cultural identity. With his band, he has been writing new folk music for the communist era. He remembers when he was king in the Ride of the Kings as a child and how the festivities honored his own father.

Jaroslav provides a history of Czechoslovakian folk music using musical theory, tracing the intricacies of folk music through the various periods of Czechoslovakia’s “long, slow history” (132). He compares Czech independent folk music to American jazz in terms of cultural importance.

At supper, Jaroslav is still thinking about Ludvik. He cannot imagine why his oldest friend would ignore him after so many years away. They grew close as children because they were both “half-orphans.” When Ludvik’s father died in a German concentration camp, his aunt took an interest in his education. Madame Koutecky was a rude and snobbish woman who looked down on Ludvik’s mother. Though Ludvik accepted her help, he grew up to resent her. When she made him play a foolish role in her daughter’s wedding, he quickly left the festivities and sought out Jaroslav and his bandmates. He announced his newfound belief in communism in opposition to everything his aunt represented. Ludvik and Jaroslav then attended different universities.

In 1948, the communist revolution turned the world “upside down.” Ludvik returned from university that summer, but he seemed changed. He debated politics with Jaroslav, who discerned a desire for a traditional society in Ludvik’s words far more than a desire for a futuristic communist utopia. Ludvik preached the importance of folk music in the new communist society, an attitude that was reflected in the revolutionary government’s desire to fund traditional folk activities.

While Jaroslav was studying, his father had a stroke, and he ended his studies without graduating to return to his hometown and be near his father. He taught music and played in a folk band. He met Vlasta and eventually fell in love. When Ludvik returned unexpectedly to the town just as the wedding was about to take place, Jaroslav asked him to be his witness. Vlasta didn’t like Ludvik, and her dislike was validated when Ludvik spent most of the day sulking. The next day, he visited to apologize. He explained that he had been kicked out of the Party and his university. He had always wanted to travel abroad, and his punishment made this impossible, which made Jaroslav feel guilty because he was about to embark on an international tour with his band. Ludvik left, and no one from the town saw him again for many years. Later, Jaroslav discovered that Ludvik’s mother died. At the funeral organized by Madame Koutecky, Jaroslav was surprised that Ludvik was not present. He views the religious funeral as Madame Koutecky’s revenge against Ludvik.

Back in the present day, Jaroslav continues to think about his strange encounter with Ludvik and reflect on their long friendship. The last time Jaroslav spoke to Ludvik, he invited him to a rehearsal for his folk music band. Jaroslav’s band played traditional songs updated with new material that elevated communist ideals. Later, Jaroslav pressed Ludvik for his honest opinion of the music. Eventually, Ludvik admitted that he felt that the new songs were inauthentic. He labeled them “unnatural and false” (155). Jaroslav was taken aback. Ludvik tried to apologize and asked Jaroslav to forget what he said. His words suggested, Jaroslav now realizes, that he was worried that Jaroslav would report him to the Party.

Jaroslav’s family sleeps as he finally gives up ruminating and prepares for bed. He is still perturbed that Ludvik did not acknowledge him in the street earlier that day. He hopes again that Vladimir will participate in the Ride of the Kings, as this is Jaroslav’s legacy to his son.