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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. In the park, what does Martin tell Burke?

2. What really happens to Schroeder after he talks to Flynn?

3. After the police attack is over, what happens to Terri O'Neil?

4. In preparation for the attack by the police, why do the Fenians light every candle they can find?

5. Who appears when Burke finds the body in the water?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the assault on the cathedral.

2. Describe the conflict between Hickey and Flynn at the end of Book 4, Chapter 55.

3. Describe the preparations the Fenians do with the lights just before the attack by the police.

4. What is Operation Phoenix?

5. Why does Schroeder start screaming "No!" when he hears that the attack plans have been changed?

6. At the end of Book 4, Chapter 40, what new information does Jack Ferguson give Burke?

7. What does Langley report to Hickey about the status of the release of the prisoners?

8. Describe the pressure the Mayor uses to get everyone to go forward with the attack.

9. At the end of Chapter 45, it becomes clear to Burke that Flynn is trapped by the hostage situation. How is he trapped?

10. What is Maureen's response to Brian when he asks her to come with him after the hostage situation is over?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel Cathedral, there are strong lead male and female characters. Write an essay that analyzes the role gender plays in the character development of the novel. What character traits are assigned to male characters vs. female characters? Does the author assign traditional gender roles to his characters or does he mix them up? Use examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Symbolism is a literary device used to give meaning to an object beyond the obvious. Write an essay that analyzes a symbol used in Cathedral. Include a description of the symbol and how it is used in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, an author's bias about an event comes through in their writing. In an essay, evaluate DeMille's stance on the conflict in Northern Ireland. Whose side would he be on? Use examples from the text to support your thesis.

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