Questions for "The Sculptor's Funeral"

1. Before reading the story: What are your impressions of a Kansas town and its people in the late 19th century?

2. What caused the death of Harvey Merrick?

3. What hints does Cather give you early in the story about Jim Laird's relationship with the townspeople?

4. Describe the reactions of Steavens, Merrick's pupil from Boston, during his visit to Sand City. Do you think that his reactions are believable.

5.  How do the men of the town assess Harvey Merrick?

6.  What did Steavens learn about his teacher by accompanying his corpse home?

7. How does this affect his appreciation of Merrick?

8. What is Jim Laird condemning in his attack on Sand City?

9. In what ways is Jim Laird's life used as a contrast to Harvey Merrick's?

10. What function does the final paragraph serve in the story? Do you think this improves or weakens the story?

Questions adapted from Nextext