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

2. How did the narrator’s wife’s first marriage end?

3. What color is all of the blind man’s attire when he arrives?

4. In what year was “Cathedral” first published in a periodical?

5. How long is the blind man staying with the narrator and his wife in the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator offer to Robert after his wife passes out? How does Robert respond?

2. What does the narrator ask Robert regarding cathedrals in the story? Why? How does Robert respond?

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

4. Where in the story does the protagonist undergo an “epiphany”?

5. How does the narrator feel about the blind man’s visit in the beginning of the story? What are his impressions of “the blind”?

6. How does the narrator’s wife respond to the marijuana downstairs when she returns?

7. How does the narrator describe his experience in the final lines of the story?

8. From what narrative perspective is the story told? How does this narrative style affect the reader?

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

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

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 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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