Short Story Review

"Lather and Nothing Else" is mostly about:

• a mysterious encounter between a rebel spy and an army captain

• a gunfight between and officer and a revolutionary

• how to shave correctly

• a man who must decide whether or not to kill an enemy

Who is the narrator of this story?

• the barber

• Captain Torres

• the author

• third person

The two characters in the story are:

• enemies

• brothers

• in the same prefession

• childhood friends who have not seen each other in a long time

When the Captain enters the shop, the barber feels __________

• sorry for himself

• very nervous

• delighted

• powerful

Which of the following BEST describes Captain Torres?

• He is the leader of a rebel group.

• He is a wanted criminal

• He is a widely respected leader.

• He is responsible for killing rebels.

Which of the following describes the barber?

• He is just an ordinary barber in town.

• He is a proud supporter of Captain Torres.

• He is a rebel and despises Captain Torres.

• He is a spy for Captain Torres.

Which sentence best illustrates the barber’s conflict?

• “I returned to the task of lathering his beard. My hands began to shake.”

• “Torres didn’t know that I was his enemy. He didn’t know and neither did the others.”

• “So which is it? Murderer or hero?”

• “They told me that you’d kill me. I came to find out for myself.”

How does the narrator feel about being a barber?

• He thinks it is very glamorous and influential work.

• He takes pride in his skills and in doing a good job.

• He worries that it is unimportant, meaningless work.

• He is bored by his job and does not care about doing a good job.

The barber thinks that Captain Torres is:

• brutal and cruel

• ugly and unitelligent

• emotionless and dull

• nervous and shy

Why did Captain Torres go to the shop?

• To get a haircut and shave.

• To arrest the barber

• To meet his friend.

• To see if the barber would kill him.