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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. The narrator surmises of the blind man’s wife that she could wear what in her nostril and it wouldn’t make a difference?

2. What is playing on the television as the narrator’s wife exits upstairs in the story?

3. When was Raymond Carver’s short story collection Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? Published?

4. Where did the narrator’s wife fall asleep after overdosing on pills while at Travis A.F.B.?

5. The narrator describes his legs as feeling as though he’s just done what when he gets up to look for a pen and paper?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is the theme of alienation illustrated through the protagonist in the story?

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

4. What role does alcoholism play in “Cathedral”?

5. What is signified by the narrator’s final lines in the story?

6. How is the post-dinner conversation described by the narrator? What prompts him to turn on the television?

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

8. How is the theme of creativity illustrated through the protagonist in the beginning of “Cathedral”?

9. What conversation does the narrator have with Robert regarding alcohol after Robert’s arrival?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Analyze and discuss the narrator’s wife in “Cathedral.” How old do you approximate this character to be? What qualities does the wife exhibit through her actions in the story? Based upon the author’s dialogue, how would you characterize the narrator’s relationship with his wife?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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