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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 was the last part of the blind man’s tape that the narrator heard when his wife played it for him?
2. The narrator says that his wife first contacted the blind man after how much time had passed since she’d worked for him?
3. Who is the protagonist of “Cathedral”?
4. What kind of meat does the narrator’s wife serve for dinner in the story?
5. What does the blind man ask the narrator after giving prefacing it with, “Hey, listen. I hope you don’t mind my asking you. Can I ask you something? Let me ask you a simple question, yes or no”?
Short Essay Questions
1. How does the narrator’s wife describe Robert’s marriage prior to his arrival in the story?
2. What does the blind man suggest when he feels the drawing is complete? How does the narrator respond?
3. How does the narrator’s wife respond when he turns on the television? What conversation ensues?
4. How does the narrator describe Robert’s arrival in the story?
5. How does the narrator describe Robert’s eyes in the story?
6. How are the characters in “Cathedral” representative of Raymond Carver’s style?
7. How does the narrator characterize his usual evenings in the story? What does this indicate about his character?
8. What conversation does the narrator have with Robert regarding alcohol after Robert’s arrival?
9. How does the narrator attempt to describe a cathedral to Robert?
10. What activity does the blind man suggest to the narrator during their discussion about cathedrals?
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 Raymond Carver’s role in the minimalist movement in literature during the 1980s. What influenced this movement? Who were Carver’s influences as a writer? How is minimalism illustrated in “Cathedral”?
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This section contains 961 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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