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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. Where does the blind man live?

2. In what periodical did “Cathedral” first appear?

3. What is another word for “arc-boutant” used in the story?

4. When the blind man appears to snooze during his conversation with the narrator, the narrator assumes that perhaps he’s imagining himself where?

5. How does the narrator feel about the blind man’s visit in the beginning of the story?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the narrator’s first impressions of Robert after his arrival? How is Robert dressed?

3. How does the narrator attempt to describe a cathedral to Robert?

4. When and where was “Cathedral” first published? What awards was it nominated for?

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

6. How does the reader gain insight into the narrator’s prejudices against blindness in the story?

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

8. What are the narrator’s perceptions of Robert’s marriage as his wife describes it in the beginning of the story?

9. What do the narrator and Robert say in their discussion of religion 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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the important expository elements established in the first two to three pages of “Cathedral.” Why is it important for the reader to understand the history of the narrator’s wife and her friendship with the blind man? How does this information serve the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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