Student’s last name 1
Student’s full name
Prof. Michele Hardy
English 1020
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XXXXXXXXXXBlind Perspective in Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral”
In Raymond Carver’s, “Cathedral,” the reader is introduced to a very superficial and self- involved na
ator. The story is situated one evening in the na
ator’s home which he shares with his wife. She has a dear friend named Robert, who is blind, and comes to visit shortly after his own wife passes away. The protagonist of the story, who remains nameless, is characterized as an impersonal and elusive individual, yet he is ultimately faced with a situation where he is forced to muster some empathy. As the story progresses, the juxtaposition of the protagonist’s dispassionate personality, with that of Robert’s passionate personality, allows the reader to witness a very personal growth that occurs within the protagonist. It takes a blind man to show the main character how to see things from a perspective outside of his own.
The reader is confronted with a protagonist who is unable to empathize or relate to others, even his own loved ones. For instance, although he is aware of the special relationship between his wife and Robert, he is openly skeptical about the visit. For example, almost immediately he says, “I wasn’t enthusiastic about his visit. He was no one I knew. And his being blind bothered me” (34). Some of the first words out of the main character’s mouth are selfish and negative. He doesn’t want Robert to visit because he doesn’t know him, and it doesn’t matter that he is a good friend of his wife. He is also uncomfortable because Robert is blind, which is indicative of his insensitive nature. The na
ator has a problem connecting with others that are different from him, and just because Robert is blind, the na
ator assumes he won’t have anything in common with him.
Although the relationship between husband and wife is supposed to be one of great intimacy, the reader is led to believe that the lack of emotional connection creates some complication for the couple. For example, when the husband makes a sarcastic statement about taking Robert bowling, the joke is lost on his wife. She says, “If you love me, you can do this for me. If you don’t love me, okay. But if you had a friend, any friend, and the friend came to visit, I’d make him feel comfortable” (36). This statement indicates that there is an imbalance in effort in this relationship. Obviously, the wife is willing to do things for her husband, in an effort to ensure his happiness and satisfaction. She cares about him, and she is asking for the same care in return. This also reveals an understanding that exists within their relationship. The wife knows her husband well, and understands his antisocial tendencies. This allows the reader to see another side of the na
ator’s personality, because of the wife’s unconditional affection toward him despite a lack of those reciprocated displays of affection.
As the story continues, the na
ator is faced with his first encounter with a blind man. This is significant because the protagonist tends to separate himself from things and people of which he is not familiar. He is not able to escape this situation, so it creates an internal conflict. His desperation is evident here: “I started to say something about the old sofa. I’d liked that old sofa. But I didn’t say anything. Then I wanted to say something else, about the scenic ride along the Hudson” (38). Here, the na
ator is attempting to be friendly, and he makes an effort to talk to Robert. This illustrates that although he is unable to empathize with people, he is not altogether cold and callous as the beginning of the story might suggest. This statement also shows his struggle with perspective. He cannot come up with anything to discuss with Robert; he can only think of surface things to discuss. First he thinks of the sofa, which he decides against, presumably because Robert cannot see it anyway. Then he wants to
ing up the scenic route along the Hudson, which obviously cannot be enjoyed by Robert. The na
ator is struggling with finding something to discuss, because he fails to look beyond the surface and to find real meaning.
The development of the na
ator is directly related to his stereotype of blind people, and Robert’s ability to shatter these notions. This begins with Robert’s appearance. He does not fit the mold of a blind person as far as the na
ator is concerned. For example the na
ator says, “He wore
own slacks,
own shoes, a light-
own shirt, a tie, a sports coat. Spiffy. He also had a full beard. But he didn’t use a cane and he didn’t wear dark glasses” (38). The na
ator describes Robert as, “spiffy,” and his tone is surprised, as if he expected Robert to be dressed sha
y. He also is surprised that he is dressed normally, and mentions that if you didn’t look closely, you may not even be able to notice that Robert is blind.
In addition to his physical appearance, Robert’s behavior is also different from what the na
ator had imagined. He was surprised that Robert smoked cigarettes: “I remember having read somewhere that the blind didn’t smoke, because as speculation had it, they couldn’t see the smoke they exhaled . . . but this blind man smoked his cigarette down to the nu
in” (40). The na
ator seems to be fascinated with Robert now, which is another indication that while he is emotionally challenged, he is not indifferent.
XXXXXXXXXXAt the end of the story, when the wife falls asleep and leaves the two men awake watching television, Robert is forced to see things from another perspective. The television program is one that features famous cathedrals around the world, and the na
ator tells Robert what is on the television, still remaining very nonchalant in his chatter. Then, Robert asks the na
ator to describe a cathedral to him. The na
ator attempted to do this, and then says, “As he listened to me, he was running his fingers through his beard. I wasn’t getting through to him, I could see that” XXXXXXXXXXThis is significant because the na
ator notices that his explanation is ineffective. He is beginning to pick up on someone else’s feelings, and attempts to respond.
XXXXXXXXXXRobert changes the subject and asks if the na
ator is religious. The na
ator responds,
“You’ll have to forgive me. . . The truth is, cathedrals don’t mean anything to me” (46). This
serves as a representation of the na
ator’s overall internal battle to find significance and
meaning in anything. He is fearful of becoming emotionally vulnerable. Robert recognizes this,
and suggests that he draw a picture of a cathedral instead. While the na
ator is drawing, Robert
instructs him to close his eyes while he draws. The na
ator describes his feeling, “My eyes were
still closed. I was in my house. I knew that. But I didn’t feel like I was inside anything. ‘It’s
eally something.’” (46).
XXXXXXXXXXThe ending of, “Cathedral,” is very powerful because the na
ator faces a huge challenge. A
superficial and self involved husband that struggled to appreciate anything outside of his own
perspective learns to find meaning in an experience. This is very important because his
attachment to surface aesthetics and tangible things is gone, and he is confronted with a feeling
that allows him to step outside of himself. Throughout the duration of his na
ative, he
considered Robert to be at a disadvantage because of his inability to use his sight. Ironically, not
until the na
ator’s sight is gone, and he allows himself to be temporarily blinded, does he truly
gain insight. While blind he is free from his own mind, and allowed to just feel, which ultimately
creates a very liberating experience.