The Country of the Blind Quiz and Flashcards: Questions and Answers

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Questions and Answers

Where is the Country of the Blind located?

300 miles from Chimborazo

100 miles from the snows of Cotopaxi

In the wildest wastes of Ecuador's Andes

All of the above (correct)

How was the Country of the Blind cut off from the world of men?

By a volcanic eruption

By a severe earthquake

By a massive landslide

All of the above (correct)

What was the reason for men coming to the Country of the Blind in the past?

To escape from a Spanish ruler (correct)

To seek refuge from a natural disaster

To explore new lands

All of the above

What caused the water to boil at Yaguachi and fish to float dying even as far as Guayaquil?

The stupendous outbreak of Mindobamba Signup and view all the answers

Why did one of the early settlers have to forget his wife, child, and friends?

As a result of being cut off from the Country of the Blind Signup and view all the answers

What natural event caused one whole side of the old Arauca crest to slip and come down in thunder?

Land-slips along the Pacific slopes Signup and view all the answers

What was the reason for the man's return from the fastness into which he had been carried as a child?

To find a cure for a strange disease that had afflicted the settlers' children Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the features of the valley that the man described?

Great hanging forests of pine Signup and view all the answers

What caused all the children born to the settlers in the valley to be blind?

A strange disease that afflicted them Signup and view all the answers

What did the man believe was the reason for the affliction of blindness on the settlers' children?

The negligence of the priestless immigrants to set up a shrine in the valley Signup and view all the answers

What did the man want to be erected in the valley as a solution to the plague of blindness?

A shrine Signup and view all the answers

What did the man have in his wallet that he did not want to account for?

A bar of native silver Signup and view all the answers

What factor was believed by people in those days to be responsible for afflictions like the blindness of children?

'Sins' rather than germs and infections Signup and view all the answers

What was one feature of the valley that made it conducive for settlement?

'Sweet water' and abundant springs Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant challenge faced by the settlers in the valley?

'A strange disease' causing blindness in children Signup and view all the answers

What did the man believe was necessary to combat the affliction that had befallen the settlers?

'Relics and blessed objects' Signup and view all the answers

What did Nunez initially think about the 'Country of the Blind'?

He believed he could teach them about the world beyond their village. Signup and view all the answers

How did the people of the 'Country of the Blind' perceive birds in the sky?

As beautiful angels with the gift of flight and song. Signup and view all the answers

How did the people of the 'Country of the Blind' divide their day?

They divided it into 'warm' and 'cold' based on the temperature of the land. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Nunez want to teach the people of the 'Country of the Blind' about the world beyond their village?

To expand their knowledge and understanding of the world. Signup and view all the answers

How did Nunez perceive his arrival in the 'Country of the Blind'?

As a thrilling adventure and an opportunity to lead the community. Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about the perception of time in the 'Country of the Blind'?

They divided time based on temperature, using 'warm' and 'cold'. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the people of the Country of the Blind view Nunez as someone who has been created to learn from them?

Because Nunez is able to see in a world where everyone else is blind. Signup and view all the answers

What concept do the people of the Country of the Blind not recognize in their vocabulary?

Sight and blindness Signup and view all the answers

Why does Nunez become increasingly frustrated in the Country of the Blind?

Because he is unable to demonstrate his superiority over the blind people. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Nunez run away when the blind people gather against him with spades?

He realizes that he cannot morally bring himself to harm a blind person. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Nunez eventually go back to the blind people and submit to them?

Because he cannot survive on his own without food. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Yacob, Medina-saroté's father, forbid her to marry Nunez?

Because Yacob considers Nunez an outsider with delusions. Signup and view all the answers

What physical feature of Medina-saroté makes her unique among the blind community?

Long eyelashes and sunken eyes Signup and view all the answers

What attitude does Medina-saroté display towards Nunez's descriptions of sight?

'Understanding' and 'open-minded' Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately convinces Nunez to go back to the blind people and submit to them?

'The survival necessities' Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Location and History of the Country of the Blind

The Country of the Blind is located in a valley near Yaguachi and Guayaquil.
The valley was cut off from the world of men due to a natural event that caused one whole side of the old Arauca crest to slip and come down in thunder.

Early Settlement and Affliction of Blindness

Men came to the Country of the Blind in the past because of its natural beauty and fertility.
The settlers were afflicted with blindness due to some unknown factor, and all their children were born blind.
One of the early settlers had to forget his wife, child, and friends because of this affliction.

Features of the Valley and its People

The valley is conducive for settlement due to its natural beauty and fertility.
A significant challenge faced by the settlers was the affliction of blindness.
The people of the Country of the Blind have a unique perception of time and divide their day into sections based on touch and smell.
They do not recognize the concept of sight in their vocabulary.

Nunez's Arrival and Experience

Nunez initially thought the Country of the Blind was a mythical place.
He perceived his arrival in the valley as a chance to learn from the blind people.
The people of the Country of the Blind viewed Nunez as someone who has been created to learn from them.
Nunez became increasingly frustrated in the Country of the Blind because they did not understand his descriptions of sight.
He ran away when the blind people gathered against him with spades, but eventually returned and submitted to them.

Medina-saroté and Her Relationship with Nunez

Medina-saroté is unique among the blind community because of her physical feature of having a small, delicate face.
She displays a curious attitude towards Nunez's descriptions of sight.
Her father, Yacob, forbids her to marry Nunez because of his outsider status.
Ultimately, Medina-saroté's love and acceptance convince Nunez to go back to the blind people and submit to them.

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Description

This quiz is based on the story 'The Country of the Blind' which is set in the wildest wastes of Ecuador's Andes. It is about a mysterious mountain valley cut off from the world of men, where men from the outside world struggle to understand and survive in the isolated community of the blind.

The Country of the Blind