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ENG-2D Name: ______________________
Short Story Reading Comprehension Test:
“A Man Who Had No Eyes” by Mackinlay Kantor
Read the short story, and using the foolscap provided, respond to the following questions. Write in complete sentences having regard for proper sentence structure, mechanics, grammar, and style.
Category
Comm
Level 1
Writing has some errors
Level 2
Writing has few errors
Level 3
Writing is free of major errors
Level 4
Writing is free of errors using advanced diction
1.
Describe TWO character traits of the protagonist and support your response with evidence from the text.
The protagonist is Mr. Parsons. He is determined in an optimistic way and generous. He demonstrates that he is generous by giving the beggar coins and listening attentively to the beggar's story. He demonstrates that he is determined and optimistic because he indicates that he succeeded in making a new life for himself: he had been a skilled labourer and then became an insurance salesman. He had, “pity for all blind creatures” (328) yet was blind himself and,
“very glad to be alive” (328). He worked hard after loosing his sight and created a new career for himself. This shows his determination.
His optimism is evident in that he believed he could make a new life in contrast to the beggar, Markwardt, who seems to have given up hope by not trying to better his life after losing his sight.
Category
K/U
Level 1
Identifies/ supports character traits with some effectiveness
Level 2
Identifies/ supports character traits with moderate effectiveness
Level 3
Identifies/ supports character traits effectively
Level 4
Identifies/ supports character traits exceptionally effectively

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2.
What is the central conflict and describe the response of the protagonist to this conflict? Use evidence from the text to support your response.
The central conflict is person vs. person. Mr. Parsons and Mr.
Markwardt have a brief conflict. Mr. Parsons is late for an appointment but Mr. Markwardt wants to sell him a cigarette lighter. Then Mr.
Markwardt recounts how he was lost his sight, but Mr. Parsons corrects the tale as he was there too and also lost his sight. Mr. Parsons' response to the conflict is to be polite and generous at first. He listens to the request and gives money to the beggar. However, when Mr.
Markwardt lies about how he lost his sight, Mr. Parsons corrects him, showing Mr. Parsons to be a truthful person too.
Another way to look at the story would be to claim that the central conflict is person vs blindness. Both Mr. Parsons and Mr. Markwardt are blind but they live very differently. Mr. Parsons didn't let that stop him from retraining and then living a prosperous and happy life while
Mr. Markwardt blames his poor situation on losing his sight. He lives in the past. Mr. Markwardt uses his blindness as an excuse for needing charity, dwelling on his misfortune, while Mr. Parsons used it as an opportunity to improve his situation in life. He has accepted his handicap and moved on.
Category
Thinking
Level 1
Makes some connections between conflict and character
Level 2
Moderately connects conflict and character
Level 3
Makes effective connections b/w conflict and character
Level 4
Makes insightful connections b/w conflict and character
3.
Identify one example of a literary device and explain the purpose of the example in the story. Possible devices include: simile, metaphor, allusion, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification
Personification “The blue air of spring, fresh from its memories of windy pools ...” (328) The air is being given the human quality of having a memory. This literary device is used to create at atmosphere in the story. Spring is a time of hope and renewal. It is being linked to
Mr. Parsons who is hopeful and energized about the future.
4.
Identify one example of a literary technique and explain the purpose of the example in the story. Possible techniques include:

3 suspense, symbolism, foreshadowing, flashbacks, and irony
(situational or dramatic)
There is situational irony at the end of the story as the reader learns that Mr. Parsons is also blind. This is an example of situational irony because there are few clues earlier in the story that hint that Mr.
Parsons is blind so the revelation is unexpected. Also, the beggar is so different from Mr. Parsons that the reader does not connect the two men together at all, yet the reader learns that they were both blinded in the same accident. The irony is used to highlight how the men's different attitudes have made the difference in their lives. Mr. Parsons has prospered and Mr. Markwardt has not.
Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
K/U Somewhat accurately identifies a
Mostly accurately identifies a
Accurately identifies a device and a
Identifies a device and a technique with device and a technique with device and a technique with technique with explanation insightful explanations explanations explanation
5.
Explain the author’s choice of title for the story.
The title is an interesting choice. At first, the reader thinks that the man with no eyes refers to the beggar. This seems logical as the beggar is blind; however, the protagonist is also blind which isn't discovered until the end of the story. Thus the title can refer to the protagonist as well. As the title is not a complete sentence, and it starts with the word “A”, it can neatly be applied to both men in the story. Both men make something different out of their lives and it is more about their attitude towards life than about their lack of sight. A man with no eyes can either proper or stagnate; it all depends on drive and determination.
Category
K/U
Level 1
Some accurate explanation on the title
Level 2
Moderately effective explanation on title
Level 3
Completely effective explanation on title
Level 4
Insightful explanation on the title

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6.
Write a theme statement for this short story.
Blindness, handicap, optimism, pessimism, attitude, dwelling in the past
A handicap does not limit a person's potential; the person's attitude does.
A physical handicap does not limit a person's potential; the person's attitude does.
Two people may start with the same handicaps, but where they end up is not a result of their handicaps, but their determination and attitude towards life: an optimistic person will succeed while a pessimistic person will fail.
Category
Application
Level 1
Approaching an accurate theme statement
Level 2
Moderately accurate theme statement
Level 3
Accurate theme statement
Level 4
Insightful theme statement