"Cathedral" by Raymond Carver Response Questions

1. How does the first-person narrator of "Cathedral" reveal himself to the reader? Note his tone. Notice also the details he chooses to reveal about himself and his wife, as well as the ones he doesn't reveal. What character traits are you able to ascertain even in the first few paragraphs?

     The narrator in the story reveals himself as being close minded, stating that his wife's friend "being blind bothered me... a blind man in my house was not something I looked forward to" (1079). This use of harsh, bothersome tone suggests that because the narrator is unfamiliar with physical abnormalities and differences, like being blind, he rejects them as a part of functioning society. Contrary, the narrator describes his wife as being opposite to him, welcoming these differences as a piece of society, allowing the Robert to touch "his fingers to every part of her face, her nose - even her neck" (1080). This open attitude allows the reader to see the empathy and compassion within the narrators wife, as she attempts to understand differences between people and uses them as a way to create a bond.

2. How does Carver's narrator set the reader up for meeting the blind man? Is your first response to Robert the same as the narrator's? Look at paragraphs 18-44. How does Carver use both the conversation and the narrator's private thoughts to create the blind man's character while also continuing to develop the character of the narrator?

     The narrator leads into his first encounter with the blind man with a descriptor bases. He depicts his life as if he lacks the qualities and human experiences of a "normal" person, attributing this all to his lack of sight. In paragraphs 18-44, Carver uses conversation to convey the narrators ability to act normal while he uses his thoughts to express his uncomfortable nature as he studies the man, notes his differences and experiences the mannerisms involved with lack of sight. My response, although I may be uncomfortable at first in the situation, was entirely different from the narrators. I don't think I would dehumanize the blind man in the away the narrator does on the sole bases that he lacks a sense. 

3. Blindness is both a subject of "Cathedral" and a recurring motif. Consider the many different ways blindness is addressed in the story. How does each add complexity and meaning to the story?

     Blindness in included in "Cathedral" in various different ways, each adding their own meaning to the story. First, there is the physical meaning, describing Robert as a blind man. This lack of sensory creates a barrier between the narrator and Robert, causing tension and discomfort for much of the story. Similarly, there is a lack of connection between the narrator and Robert due to the unfamiliar world they each experience. Also, blindness is symbolic in a sense that the narrator is "blind" to the world of physical disabilities, and thus lacks compassion and empathy towards the matter. 

5. The narrator experiences an epiphany - a moment of sudden insight and clarity - at the end of the story, but the author never explains what that insight is. Why do you think Carver withholds that specific information from the reader? What other information is withheld from the reader? Why?

     At the end of the story, the narrator experiences an epiphany, but the author fails to explain this insight, leading the reader to come to their own conclusion about the situation. I believe Carver choses to do this to exemplify the various messages that can come from this story, strengthening his message that differences don’t define who we are, but rather create bonds between people. Carver also withholds the wife’s interpretation of the event to highlight the interaction between the narrator and Robert.

6. Characterize the habits of the narrator and his wife. They do not seem close; they watch television rather than talk to each other; they drink to excess, overeat, and use drugs. Does Carver judge them? Do you?

     Carver does appear to judge them, highlighting their opposite personalities and well as their inability to successfully communicate with each other. Similarly to Carver, I judge the couple as well. I think that their relationship lacks love, as the couple choses to partake in actions that will ensure their lack of communication. Furthermore, this way of interaction leads me to question why the two are married when their relationship is destined for failure once the drugs and entertainment run out.