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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. How does the narrator describe the blind man’s shoulders after his arrival?

2. By what familyar nickname does the blind man call the narrator?

3. In what year was “Cathedral” chosen to appear in The Best American Short Stories?

4. What are the supports called on a cathedral that are built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts?

5. The narrator says, “I remembered having read somewhere that the blind didn’t smoke because, as speculation had it, they couldn’t” what?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the author describe his wife’s poetry in “Cathedral”?

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

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

5. What is the narrator’s prayer before dinner? How is the dinner described by the narrator?

6. Where does the rising action take place in “Cathedral”?

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

8. What is Robert’s response when the narrator offers him marijuana after dinner? What is his experience with the drug?

9. What does the reader learn about the narrator when he and his wife discuss their friends prior to the blind man’s arrival?

10. How does the narrator describe the scene once his wife has gone upstairs after dinner?

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 roles and expectations of gender as depicted in “Cathedral.” How are the traditional roles and expectations of women reflected in the narrative? How does the narrator perceive “masculinity”? What role do you think gender plays in the story?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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