1. What does the woman suspect that the man believes about his blasphemy?
(a) It caused his illness.
(b) It caused the hurricane.
(c) It is the reason she is angry at him.
(d) It is no one's business but his own.

2. What detail of the woman's train ride reinforces the motif of things that come close to happening but do not actually happen?
(a) The water level.
(b) Her thoughts about religion.
(c) The direction she is traveling.
(d) Her distance from the city.

3. What does the landlady say the mayor gave her?
(a) A stove.
(b) An award.
(c) Flowers.
(d) Carpet.

4. Who is the author of "The Center of the Story"?
(a) Judith Frank.
(b) Doris Betts.
(c) Lydia Davis.
(d) Maile Chapman.

5. Why was the woman reading the Bible during the period she writes about in her story?
(a) Because she wanted to know exactly what it said.
(b) Because she needed comfort during the hurricane.
(c) Because it was the High Holy Days.
(d) Because she wanted to use Biblical allusions in her writing.

Short Answer Questions

1. For what reason, besides that "there may not be enough to tell about him," does the woman think that the man might not be the right "center" for her story (20)?

2. In what religion are the High Holy Days a sacred time?

3. Why does the man in the story feel so ill?

4. Why are rams' horns being blown all around the city?

5. What detail in the description of the man indicates how ill he feels?

(see the answer key)

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