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ENGLISH 102

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Themes in Cathedral by Raymond Carver

The Cathedral by Raymond Carver is describes the story of a wife, husband and narrator. The story describes the relationship between the three however focuses on the narrator’s initial views towards the blind man, Robert. The wife of the narrator had previously worked with Robert to the extent of exchanging audiotapes years after they stopped working together. The narrator is contemptuous of the blind man’s seemingly close relationship with his wife. Despite the cold relationship between the narrator and Robert, they end up being close and help drawing a cathedral together. Carver uses the narrator to show how the people one may disregard or dislike end more close and helpful. The narrator and Robert become close toward the end of the story despite the earlier differences that made the narrator uncomfortable of Robert’s presence within their home. The story identifies the difference between looking and seeing evidence the point of view of reality between Robert and the narrator while exposing the themes of isolation, connection and, insecurity and jealousy.

The tone of the narrator is one defined by jealous during the earlier scenes of the story. The narrator is jealous of his wife’s close relationship and smooth connection with the blind man. Despite the fact that Robert could not see physically, the narrator is suspicious of how his wife seemingly gets along well with Robert. The narrator’s jealousness is evident through insecurity regarding the refusal to listen to one of the audiotapes which includes a mention about the narrator. The narrator does not seem to like the presence of Robert in their home, “A blind man in my house was not something I looked forward to” (Part 1 par.1). Also, the narrator does not mention his wife’s first husband probably due to the insecurity and jealousy towards the man. The themes of jealousy and insecurity are strongly evidenced primary through the actions and attitude of the narrator towards his wife’s conversations and past connection with Robert.

The story reveals strong and working connection between Roberts and the narrator’s wife because the two have been communicating for more than a decade. The narrator’s wife exchanges audio tapes with Robert despite both being married and separated after leaving their workplace, “The blind man made a tape. He sent her the tape. She made a tape. This went on for years. (Part 1 par.4). The bond between Robert and the narrator’s wife is also evident through the narrator’s wife contemplation to write a poem to Robert. The level of friendship and bond could be said to be informed by the narrator’s wife ability to empathize with Robert situation since he is blind. The poem’s theme was intended to be Robert’s attempt to touch the narrator’s wife on the face hence showing that the two had previously been close. Also, the physical differences between the blind man and the narrator’s wife indicate the connection the two had since they did not see the differences as reasons to avoid friendship.

Also, isolation is evident in the story on the part of Robert since he is by default unable to see thus being disadvantaged physically. Being blind makes people isolated especially on matters that would have better been experienced using eyes. After many years of separating at their former worker place, Robert and the narrator’s wife experience physical isolation because they did not meet for more than a decade only after the death of Robert’s wife. Robert kept exchanging audio notes since they could not meet physically “Next to writing a poem every year, I think it was her chief means of recreation” (Part 1 par. 5).When Roberts visits the narrator home, he seems close and well bonded to the narrator’ wife thus leaving the narrator isolated. The narrator is not interested with the stories and suggestion by Robert because his insecurity makes him isolated. The theme of isolation could also be defined through analysis of the reason that made Robert visit the narrator’s home after his wife’s death. After being alone, Robert suffered isolation which made him set for the journey to the narrator’s home. He knew that meeting the narrator’s wife would help him manage his solitude life and cover the experiences of isolation. Importantly, Robert’s question to the narrator about religion is returned negatively because the narrator says “I guess I don’t believe in it. In anything”. The response could be interpreted as the narrator’s isolation from God or disconnection from religious matters which Robert and the narrator’s wife believe as important.

Carver’s story presents the complex but interesting relationship between the characters and the unexpected ending where Robert and the narrator bond while drawing a Cathedral. Cathedral focuses on the issues related to different aspect of reality and relationships. The key aspect of story is the climax when Robert and the narrator who could be loosely described as antagonist and protagonist work together. The author communicates the level of connection and friendship between Robert and the narrator’s wife while analyzing how the character face isolation. The story explores thematic issues of jealousy and insecurity as expressed by the narrator’s attitude towards Robert. The narrator’s wife and Robert are connected despite having different physical abilities. At the end of the story, the narrator and Robert also get connected as they discuss and draw the sketch of a Cathedral.

Work Cited

Carver, Raymond. Cathedral. Vintage, 2015.