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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:

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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
K/U

Level 1
Somewhat
accurately
identifies a
device and a
technique with
explanations

Level 2
Mostly
accurately
identifies a
device and a
technique with
explanation

Level 3
Accurately
identifies a
device and a
technique with
explanation

Level 4
Identifies a
device and a
technique with
insightful
explanations

5. Explain the authors 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

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