Raymond Carver's "Cathedral"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Raymond Carver's short story, "Cathedral." The paper specifically focuses on the narrator's blindness that is unfortunately caused by prejudice. The paper then looks at the process by which the narrator undergoes a slow metamorphosis from blinding prejudiced to a new vision of open-mindedness produced by compassion and empathy.

From the Paper:

"Another layer of the narrator's prejudice is removed while observing Robert during the visit. The narrator begins to notice Robert's individual attributes. For example, during dinner the husband; "watched with admiration as [Robert] used his knife and fork on the meat." (2372). This passage is significant because the narrator begins to perceive Robert as a skilled individual, rather than a stereotypical blind person. Another example of the husband's changing opinions occurs while relaxing on the sofa smoking marijuana. The husband notices the manner Robert inhales: "He inhaled, held the smoke, and then let it go. It was like he'd been doing it since he was nine years old." (2374). The husband is again impressed with Robert's skills, signifying the narrator's perception is slowly becoming altered to view Robert as a person, rather than an alien. The narrator has slowly begun to shift in his personal paradigm."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Carver, Raymond. "Cathedral". The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Sixth Edition, Vol E. Ed. Nina Baym. New York. W.W. Norton and Company

More papers on Raymond Carver's "Cathedral":

• Book Review # 97420 : "Raymond Carver "Cathedral"
• Analytical Essay # 130050 : "Three Moments in Raymond Carver's "Cathedral"
• Analytical Essay # 129372 : "The Works of Raymond Carver"
• Essay # 132341 : "Raymond Carver's "Cathedral"

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