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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 word from the story refers to a tall, acutely pointed pyramidal roof or roof-like construction upon a tower?

2. When the blind man asks the narrator to describe a cathedral to him, what is the first thing the narrator says?

3. The narrator says of the blind man’s employment that most recently he and his wife had had what kind of distributorship?

4. Of the religious pageant on the television show, the narrator says it takes place yearly where?

5. What does the narrator give as a response to the narrator’s question of whether he was going to stay with his work?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where in the story do you see the first elements of transformation in the protagonist?

2. What happened to the narrator’s wife during the years that she did not see the blind man? How did she maintain contact with Robert?

3. What activity does the blind man suggest to the narrator during their discussion about cathedrals?

4. Why does the narrator say the blind man is coming to visit in the beginning of the story?

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

6. How does the narrator’s wife respond when he turns on the television? What conversation ensues?

7. How does the narrator’s wife suggest the narrator act toward Robert when he visits?

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

9. What is symbolized through the television set in the story?

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

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

Discuss the theme of prejudice as it applies to the narrator in “Cathedral.” How does the narrator demonstrate his prejudice about the blind early in the narrative? How does his prejudice change through the story? How is the narrator’s prejudice in the story developed around ignorance?

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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