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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When the television show about the Church pans across the countryside, the narrator describes men walking behind what?

2. The narrator asks the blind man while they watch TV if he knows the difference between a cathedral and what?

3. Regarding the view from the train, the narrator says, “going to New York, you should sit” where on the train?

4. At what point in the story does the protagonist reach his major epiphany?

5. How many joints does the narrator roll for him and the blind man while his wife is upstairs?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator attempt to describe a cathedral to Robert?

2. What happened to the narrator’s wife during the years that she did not see the blind man? How did she maintain contact with Robert?

3. Where in “Cathedral” does the climax of the narrative take place?

4. What is symbolized through the television set in the story?

5. How does the reader gain insight into the narrator’s prejudices against blindness in the story?

6. What are the narrator’s first impressions of Robert after his arrival? How is Robert dressed?

7. Why does the narrator apologize to Robert during their discussion after his wife’s fallen asleep?

8. How many drinks do the narrator, his wife, and Robert have before dinner? What do they discuss?

9. What is signified by the narrator’s final lines in the story?

10. How does the narrator begin his drawing? What does his wife ask at this time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the setting of “Cathedral.” Of what importance is the setting of the story? Could the story be set in a different time and place? How would this change the story?

Essay Topic 2

Define character action, obstacle, and objective and discuss these elements as they apply to the narrator of “Cathedral.” What is the narrator’s goal in the story? Is he successful in achieving his objectives? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the theme of jealousy in the story. From where does the narrator’s jealousy originate? Do you think he has reason to be jealous of his wife? How does the narrator illustrate jealousy regarding the blind visitor? Are there examples of symbolism or imagery that support this theme?

(see the answer keys)

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