Tomas'

Each main character of The Unbearable Lightness of Being is very distinct yet incredibly intertwined with all the others.  I think one of the most interesting characters is Tomas.  In some ways we are led to be sympathetic towards his character (i.e., by rationalizing that to be with many women is just "his nature"), but by taking a step back we might realize that he is rather despicable in many other ways.  Tomas claims to love Tereza while constantly causing her pain and anxiety as he goes off with others for sexual pleasure.  He says that he separates the concepts of love and sex in his mind, but in truth I think he is also afraid to accept responsibility by making a decision.  His decisions are largely made out of "obligation," and while he stalls and continues to not make a decision between Tereza and his other lovers, he is causing a woman great pain, all the time promising to love her and take care of her.  Tomas is selfish because he refuses to decide and take responsibility, and he doesn't even seem to try to relate to Tereza's obvious anguish.  By accepting responsibility, Tomas would feel another weight added to his life, which he initially doesn't think he can handle; but just like the transition from "sweet" to "unbearable" lightness of being, Tomas seems to evolve, although how much his character really changes is ambiguous.