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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What term refers to the portion of a story that introduces the important background information, such as the narrator’s descriptions of his wife’s history with the blind man in “Cathedral”?
2. The narrator notes in the story that “A wink is the same thing as” what “to a blind man”?
3. How did the narrator’s wife’s first marriage end?
4. What does the blind man take from the backseat of the car when he and the narrator’s wife arrive at the narrator’s home?
5. Where is McConnell A.F.B. located?
Short Essay Questions
1. 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?
2. What drives the narrative plot of “Cathedral”? What effect does this have on the plot’s structure?
3. What is signified by the narrator’s choice to keep his eyes closed at the end of the story?
4. How does the narrator describe Robert’s eyes in the story?
5. How does the narrator begin his drawing? What does his wife ask at this time?
6. When and where was “Cathedral” first published? What awards was it nominated for?
7. Why does the narrator say the blind man is coming to visit in the beginning of the story?
8. What is “minimalist fiction” and how does it apply to “Cathedral”?
9. How does the reader gain insight into the narrator’s prejudices against blindness in the story?
10. How are the narrator’s perceptions of race illustrated in “Cathedral”?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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?
Essay Topic 2
Discuss the theme of “rebirth” and the transformation of the narrator from the beginning of the story to the end. How do you think the narrator has changed from his interactions with Robert? Do you think this change is a good thing? Why or why not?
Essay Topic 3
Describe and discuss the character of Robert in “Cathedral.” How old does Robert appear to be? What does the narrator remark about his facial hair? How is Robert dressed? How does Robert differ from the narrator of the story?
This section contains 916 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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