Seeing Versus Looking In Raymond Carver's Cathedral

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Seeing Versus Looking
In Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral,” a major theme is the distinction between looking and seeing. Merriam-Webster defines looking as “directing your eyes in a particular direction” (m-w.com). It is passively taking in a sight without truly understanding it. In contrast, seeing is understanding and appreciating the value of something, whether or not we have the privilege to physically see the object. In “Cathedral,” the narrator struggles with seeing until an unlikely character helps him to find his sight and appreciate the gift of seeing in both a literal and figurative sense. This unlikely character, a blind man named Robert, demonstrates to the narrator that seeing is a multifaceted and active action. Carver uses the metaphor of sight in “Cathedral” to exemplify the importance of understanding other people, our lives, and the world around us by gaining a deeper appreciation through seeing.
The narrator is perfectly capable of looking at his wife on a daily basis, but never really sees who she is. For example, the narrator never really understood how …show more content…

Robert has the narrator draw a cathedral while they hold the pencil together. Through this experience the narrator finally realizes the difference between seeing and looking. As the narrator is drawing the cathedral Robert tells him to close his eyes. After he finishes the drawing Robert tells the narrator to look at his creation but the narrator is amazed at his new gift, his ability to see. Instead of opening his eyes the narrator says, “But I had my eyes closed. I thought I’d keep them that way for a little longer. I thought it was something I ought to do.” At this point, the narrator understands the importance of understanding other people, our lives, and the world. The narrator now realizes that he has simply looked at things for too long and wants to begin to

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