The Shift From Sight To Insight In The Cathedral By Raymond Carver

Upon reading “The Cathedral” by Raymond Carver, the reader can immediately notice various literary elements he uses to show the shift from sight to insight in the narrator using symbolism, motifs, and theme. Carver illustrates the narrator as a somewhat racist, close-minded man towards the beginning of the story, but then evolves the character with the literary elements previously stated.

Carver’s use of symbolism is shown in the final paragraphs of the story when he uses the pen the narrator and Robert use to draw the cathedral as a tunnel into Robert’s world of insight. The perplex world of the blind man is a shock to “Bub” as he explains in the quote: “His fingers rode my fingers as my hand went over the paper. It was like nothing else in my life up to now.” Robert finally shows his perspective to the narrator which causes him to have a revelation. When asked to open his eyes to see his drawing he dismisses and remains in his state of awareness. The pen is used as a portal to this state of awareness the narrator voyages to, which allows “Bub” to figuratively open his eyes.

Motifs are also present in the text as Carver furthers the narrator's transition and moves him closer to his “Aha” moment.

As the story goes on it is obvious that “Bub” may have a drinking problem and turns to the substance before stressful events in the story. This is shown just before the narrator’s wife was to tell him about Beulah, Robert’s wife: “I made a drink and sat at the kitchen table to listen.” At this moment the audience begins to understand that before most stressful events, the narrator makes a drink to take the edge off and distance himself from reality. This action of drinking allows him to decrease his level of insight to not think into things as much as he would

sober.
Advancing along the story, Carver makes his theme more prevalent as the narrator moves towards this level of insight that the blind man is bringing him to. His progression can be seen from the quote towards the beginning of the story: “Which side of the train did you sit on” which showed him as quite a boor and lacked respect for the blind man. Nearing the conclusion of the story “Bub” goes on to say “It’s really something” when he is enlightened by the blind man’s insight; he finally understands the perspicacity he has been missing out on for the majority of his life.
Ultimately then, Carver uses various literary elements to illuminate the narrator's continuous growth towards insight, which was guided by the blind man. Motifs were shown to reveal the narrator’s dismissive, substance abusing character early on in the text. Symbolism was used to concretize the path the narrator followed towards insight. Finally, the theme demonstrated was used to show the ongoing transition of “Bub” from sight to insight throughout “The Cathedral.” Towards the beginning of the story the narrator was held captive in a cocoon of ignorance and dismay, then evolves into an insightful butterfly that is able to get a brief glimpse of the blind man’s level of insight. This story still has strong relevance today as politicians are notorious for being dismissive and boorish towards people they may not personally know; Carver urges society to not judge people on outward appearance (sight), but judge on the content of their character (vision).