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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 was the last part of the blind man’s tape that the narrator heard when his wife played it for him?

2. How does the narrator describe the blind man’s attire when he arrives?

3. The narrator says in the beginning of the story that the last time his wife saw the blind man was when she worked for him in what city?

4. What beverage does the blind man drink with his dinner in the story?

5. How long ago does the narrator’s wife say she and her husband bought their sofa?

Short Essay Questions

1. What takes place in the story as it builds to its climax?

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

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

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

5. 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?

6. What is the central imagery employed in the story? How is it employed?

7. What does the narrator discuss with Robert after his arrival in the story?

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

9. How does the narrator’s wife describe Robert’s marriage prior to his arrival in the story?

10. How is the theme of creativity manifested through the protagonist at the end of the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the narrative style of “Cathedral.” What are the advantages and disadvantages of this style? How does the narrative point of view relate to the story and its themes? How does this narrative point of view affect you as a reader?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the economic and historical context of the story. If the story had been written in a different era, how might the protagonist’s employment situation have been different? How does the protagonist of “Cathedral” reflect the issues facing everyday Americans at this time?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 913 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample