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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 is the first thing the narrator says he draws in his attempt to recreate a cathedral for the blind man?
2. 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”?
3. Where does the blind man put his hand as the narrator begins to draw in the story?
4. In what city did the blind man’s wife die?
5. What tool does the narrator note the blind man does not use after his arrival?
Short Essay Questions
1. What are the narrator’s perceptions of Robert’s marriage as his wife describes it in the beginning of the story?
2. Where in the story does the protagonist undergo an “epiphany”?
3. How does the narrator’s wife respond to the marijuana downstairs when she returns?
4. How does the narrator describe Robert’s eyes in the story?
5. What drives the narrative plot of “Cathedral”? What effect does this have on the plot’s structure?
6. How does the author describe his wife’s poetry in “Cathedral”?
7. How are the narrator’s perceptions of race illustrated in “Cathedral”?
8. How is the theme of transformation illustrated through the narrator’s wife in the story? When did her “transformation” take place with the blind man?
9. What are the narrator’s first impressions of Robert after his arrival? How is Robert dressed?
10. How does the narrator begin his drawing? What does his wife ask at this time?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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 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
Analyze and discuss the narrator as the protagonist of “Cathedral.” Approximately how old would you say the narrator is? What is his race and ethnicity? Where do you think the narrator works, based on the text?
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This section contains 905 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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