Read ALL of the stories below; then select one story on which to write your essay
“Cathedral,” Raymond Carver (77-90)
“This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona,” Sherman Alexie (272-283)
“Brownies,” Z. Z. Packer (177-193)
“Cell One,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
How do we know for certain that the central character has experienced an epiphany? If the character
did not experience an epiphany, at which point might he or she have experienced one? In other
words, where might the character have missed an opportunity for an epiphany?
How does the author prepare us for this possible moment of enlightenment?
i.e., There must be a noticeable difference in the character's attitudes, perceptions of the world, or
perceptions of self before and after this moment of enlightenment.
What is the nature of the epiphany? i.e., When and how does it occur? How does the epiphany affect
the central character?
If the character does not experience an epiphany, what significant insight did he or she “stumble
over” it and then “walk away as if nothing had happened”?
Which errors of reasoning are committed by this character, if any? (Refer to Chapters 8-12 in
Beyond Feelings for examples of errors of reasoning (fallacies of logic). How does identifying these
erroneous ways of thinking help us to understand the character’s change or inability to change?
You’ll need to identify at least 1-2 errors of reasoning committed by theis character, and then
determine whether the character corrects these errors of reasoning by the end of the story 9perhaps as
a result of an epiphany).
What is the theme of this story? How does the theme of the story relate to the insight gained from the
epiphany? Or, how does it relate to the character’s inability to experience an epiphany?
Sample Solution