CathedralRaymond Carver

SummaryThe story starts out with the narrator’s wife telling him that her friend, a blind man, is going to spend the night at their house. The narrator does not approve and has very rude thoughts about the blind. The wife then picks up the blind man, whose name is Robert, and when they enter the house, the narrator is surprised by how normal he looks, though does not like how he does not have glasses covering his unfocused eyes. They have dinner and then sit in the living room to watch TV. The only thing on is a show about the Middle Ages, but Robert says he likes learning new things. The narrator attempts to describe what a cathedral looks like to the blind man, but fails. Robert then suggests that he draw it, which he does. Near the end, Robert tells him to close his eyes and draw. When he is finished, he does not open his eyes, but rather says he knows he is in his home and yet he feels nowhere, and when asked about the picture, says it is “really something”.

Conflict

External Conflict: The narrator’s thoughts and actions towards Robert

Internal Conflict: The narrator’s thoughts and stereotypes of the blind in general which make it hard for him to accept him, and his internal struggle of not being able to “see” what life is really about

Turning Point: When the blind man tells the narrator to draw the cathedral, they finally begin to understand each other

Resolution: When the narrator draws with his eyes closed, finally understanding the blind man and himself

Resolution

NarrationTold in first person and past tense

Narrator is the husband and we only know his thoughts and feelings. All conflict revolves around him.

The narrative voice shifts from animosity to surprise and acceptance. His focus shifts from disliking Robert to being curious about him and the way he lives.

The narrator has a very biased point of view. He and the other two characters only know what has been done and what he/she/they think. The readers see both sides of every situation and are able to draw their own conclusions and they have the highest level of understanding, and form their own opinions about each of the characters.

Indirect Characterization: Instead of outright describing the characters the author uses their behaviors, thoughts, and

actions, especially the narrator, to show the reader what they are like.

NarratorProtagonist--opinionated,

judgemental, and “blind” in his narrow outlook on life

Antagonist--angry with himself and his wife and

does not understand people

Disliked by reader at first, but then reader seems to feel sorry for him and his

unhappiness in life

Narrator’s Wife

Befriends and invites the blind man to visit, which the whole story revolves around

RobertThe blind man

The foil to the narrator. Although he is physically

blind he has more wisdom and “sight” than the

narrator

Admired by the reader for his positive attitude and not letting his handicap stand in

his way of a good life

Minor CharactersWife’s First Husband

Robert’s Wife

Characters

Setting

New York

The place is not essential to the plot of the story

When??Around the 1960’s or 70’s. While in the living room, the three talked about just recently getting colored TV’s.

Where?

SymbolismThe Cathedral

Symbol from religion

Very tall symbolizing having a connection to God, and it is a place where people can go to pray to have peace and solace

The narrator could not describe the cathedral in words, but could draw it. After finishing his drawing, with his eyes closed, he finally felt at peace with himself, like one feels when inside a cathedral

Theme Viewpoints of Vision

Throughout the story, the theme of vision is apparent. The narrator believes that the ability to see is of utmost importance, therefore he is superior to his colleague who is blind. The story shows that literal sight is no better than careful insight.

Robert, though he is blind, can see on a much deeper level than the narrator, and shows that he has much more developed insight into himself and those around him.

Robert is better at listening than the narrator, and has a better relationship with the narrator’s wife than the narrator as a result.

Works CitedImages

Blurry Vision Eye Chart. Digital image. NIDDK Image Library. National Institute of Diabetes and

Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.

Carver, Raymond. Cathedral Short Story Cover. Digital image. Flickr. Flickr, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.

Cathedral Clipart. Digital image. USF Illustrations. University of South Florida, 2014. Web. 24 Sept.

2015.

Cathedral Hands. Digital image. Sonja Murphy Illustration. Sonja Murphy, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.

Knight, Jennifer. Raymond Carver Profile. Digital image. Pinterest. N.p., 2012. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.