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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. What does the narrator’s wife say when she awakens as the narrator is drawing a cathedral?

2. The narrator says in the beginning of the story that the last time his wife saw the blind man was how many years ago?

3. What does the blind man instruct the narrator to do after he’s almost completed the drawing of the cathedral?

4. What central theme unites the main characters in “Cathedral”?

5. Who is the protagonist of “Cathedral”?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the narrator describe his wife’s last in-person meeting with the blind man?

3. How is the beginning of the television show about the church described?

4. What conversation does the narrator have with Robert regarding alcohol after Robert’s arrival?

5. What activity does the blind man suggest to the narrator during their discussion about cathedrals?

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

7. What is signified by the narrator’s choice to keep his eyes closed at the end of the story?

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

9. Why does the narrator pity Beulah in the beginning of the story?

10. What do the narrator and Robert say in their discussion of religion in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the plot structure of “Cathedral.”How “traditional” do you find the plot structure of the story to be? What about the story’s style makes it more difficult to determine the elements of plot? What does the author employ in order to build suspense in the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of isolation and alienation as applied to the protagonist of “Cathedral.” In what ways does the narrator describe a life that is isolated from those around him? How is this illustrated in the “after-dinner” scene in the living room?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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