Imagine a world where a simple act of taking a pen to paper, or any medium, can rid the individual walls between humans and create a deep sense of connection and understanding between individuals. In a society where people are often divided by their differences, the act of art and imagination can bridge the gap between people and create meaningful relationships. What if the key to understanding a stranger lies not in words, but in the act of creation? What if one can truly not see the world for what it is, but rather just look at what is right in front of them? In the short story written by Raymond Carver, “Cathedral”, one can manifest the theme of transformative potential from art and imagination as well as demonstrating how they can bridge …show more content…
Since the narrator tends to stay on the judgemental side when first meeting Robert, he had made many assumptions based on what he had heard blind men being like or what he recalled from seeing blind people in movies. An assumption that was made about the blind man from the narrator was about his looks, “I’d always thought dark glasses were a must for the blind. Fact was, I wished he had a pair” (108). There are many different characteristics about the blind man that may have shocked the narrator, including the fact that Robert also engaged within smoking, which the narrator mentions how he thought blind people do not smoke. Many characteristics about the blind man differ from what our narrator has assumed about him, and the realization may open up a special place in the narrator’s brain for understanding the way of life Robert indulges in. The surprising characteristics of Robert compared to what the narrator had previously believed in can be marked as the beginning of an eye opening moment for the narrator with
In “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver, the narrator creates a connection with the blind man. He not only overcomes stereotypes, but also conquers his own blindness to the world around him. His whole perspective of blind men changes when he is told to close his own eyes and draw a cathedral with Robert (the blind man), therefore leading him to overcome his own “blindness”. As “Cathedral” begins, the narrator speaks in a very conversational tone, he starts showing signs of his own blindness when he doesn’t
Character; Evaluating Human Behavior in Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” Humans have natural capacity to judge their own species and a history of ostracizing members of their own into unfavorable categories both in physical and mental ways. Although governments around the world have stood up for equality and made laws that prohibit segregation, humans continue to make negative judgments and treat people unfairly based on them. In his short story “Cathedral” Raymond Carver suggests the idea that naturally judgmental
In Raymond Carver’s short story, “Cathedral” the narrator is revealed to be a self-centered and egotistical man with the inability to see events and people from any point of view other than his own. About midway through the story I was completely aware of his lack of respect and consideration for other people and their views that differ from his. It was made even more apparent by his opinions towards his wife’s old friend, Robert, A blind man whom she had met & befriended 10 years ago. Despite the
Isolation of the human heart results in the inability to connect and take part in a greater existence, whereas blindness of the human eye gives way to the truth and tenderness of humanity found in the wonders of this world. In Raymond Carver’s short story, “Cathedral”, the nameless narrator seems to exhibit behavioral patterns of an addict, tending to detach himself from the plot and all relationships that he continuously fails to confront throughout life. The central figure, who abhors the blind
literally. In Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral”, the act of looking is related to physical vision, but the act of seeing requires a deeper level of engagement. Cathedral is about a husband, portrayed as ignorant with preconceived notions about visually impaired people, but later had an epiphany in his life after an encounter with a blind man when they drew a Cathedral. Caver uses the Cathedral as a symbol of connection, faith, and creativity which is a significant component of the story. A Cathedral is a place
jealousy? In Raymond Carver’s short story “Cathedral” a distraught and confounded husband has an ignorant and envious view of his wife’s timeless friend. According to the narrator, he “wasn’t enthusiastic about his visit” (32) and “being blind bothered him” (32). The narrator is so hostile to the idea of a visit from Robert because he is blinded by jealousy, anger, and confusion. The narrator does not address Robert by his full name, he address him “this” blind man instead of a blind man. Carver allows
The most prominent suggestion in Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” is that the narrator is in an intellectual sense, more blind than the visually handicapped character Robert. After being asked by Robert if he believed in any religion, the narrator answered no and explained with “ I guess I don't believe in anything” (364) That idea alone shows the reader that the narrator is blind to the world. Not because he doesn't believe in a form of religion but because he doesn't believe in “anything.” Only a unintelligent
The Lesson Learned in Cathedral Oftentimes individuals demonstrate ignorance to the world around them. Their lack of experience and their own personal struggles skew the way they interpret the lives of others. Within Raymond Carver’s short story “Cathedral”, readers are introduced to a flawed narrator who is married. His wife introduces him to a blind man that sheds light on the narrator’s flawed views. The narrator learns to become more open-minded about the world around him. One aspect where
Is Blindness a Disability of the Eyes or a Defect in the Mind? In Raymond Carver’s short story “Cathedral”, the narrator is of great interest in terms of analysis because he is the only dynamic character. That is, he experiences the most significant change throughout the story. So one might ask, how does Carver develop the character of the narrator over the course of the story? The author does so by using the concept of blindness as a mental state, as opposed to a physical disability. The narrator
The story “Cathedral,” by Raymond Carver is a story of two men, whose ability to see things were completely different from one another, but something had united them at the end of the story which is why it is so fascinating. The narrator, who doesn’t have the name, is confronted by a visitor in his house when his wife invites a blind man, named Robert, to come over to their house. The narrator assumes that he’s superior to Robert when he arrives. Why not? He was able to see things physically but
Cathedral “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver is a story of man who experiences the gift of insight in an unexpected manner. The narrator is first introduced to the reader as an insensitive and ignorant man, however, after analysing his relationship with his wife and witnessing how he connects with the blind man, our empathy for him is touched. The narrator is not as insensitive as he perceives. He only acts insensitive to cover up how damaged he really is. He is unable to relax because of the company
Raymond Carver’s, Cathedral, opens eyes not by seeing, but by creating a sense of understanding by enhancing the importance of perspective. Carver introduces a character by the name of Robert, a blind man who teaches the narrator to reconsider the meaning of sight by acknowledging the beauty of the unknown. Robert from Cathedral, defies the meaning of sight, by subtly educating the narrator that life is not about what is seen, but about the significance of events and experiences. Robert is seen
Cathedral” is a story by Raymond Carver, in which he explains the difference between “looking” and truly seeing. Truly “seeing” means understanding someone on a deeper level. It requires listening and truly hearing a person. A person can be blind, but can see right through others and their inner self. In the story, a blind man, who is an old friend of the narrator’s wife, visits the young couple. The narrator is skeptical towards the blind man at first. However, at the end, his attitude changes towards
Imagination can only occur when one lets go of the physical aspect of sight. Raymond Carver’s Cathedral explores the human resistance to the unknown and unfamiliar, and how a relationship can transform hostility into creativity. The story begins with an introduction to the narrator who has difficulty differentiating sight and understanding. He is described as a stiff man who has limited emotional capacity. The narrator introduces his wife’s blind friend, Robert, to the reader with a note of jealousy
A relationship is more than something physical. In fact, there are several types of intimacy: mental, emotional, and physical. In Raymond Carver’s short story called “Cathedral”, the narrator is not familiar to any but the last listed. He consequently distanced himself from others, including his wife because he does not take the initiative to be mentally invested in any discussions. This makes the narrator isolated, incapable of empathy or to understand others’ perspectives. This characteristic has