Literary_Themes,_a_Look_Into_the_Short_Story_“Cathedral”

Literary Themes, a Look into the Short Story “Cathedral” Stanley Jaye Coleman ENG: 125 Benjamin Daw August 5, 2013 Literary Themes, a Look into the Short Story “Cathedral” The short story “Cathedral”, written by Raymond Carver (1981); is a story of one man’s struggle to understand another man’s handicap, which in this case happens to be a man who’s handicap is being blind. The narrator holds many beliefs of what a blind person should be. These beliefs are a result of watching movies (R. Carver, 1981). Even though the narrator was blind when it came to another man’s affliction, he was able to get to know the blind man; and learned that his beliefs where wrong. Tone: It is this researcher’s belief that the tone for “Cathedral” is an ironic tone, which according to R. Clugston (2010) is “creating a discrepancy or contradiction between what is expected to happen in a story and what actually happens” (sec. 5.3, para. 1); and is set in the first paragraph when the narrator, who is also the protagonist, describes the reason behind the blind man’s visit, “This blind man, an old friend of my wife's, he was on his way to spend the night. His wife had died” (Carver, 1981). In this sentence, this researcher can feel the hostility within the narrator. The use of “this blind man” instead of using the blind man’s name shows the lack of respect that the narrator has for the blind man. “An old friend of my wife’s” implies that this in fact is no friend of the narrators, and he wanted to make that clear from the beginning. Another sentence that set the tone for the short story is when the narrator states “I wasn't enthusiastic about his visit. He was no one I knew. And his being blind bothered me” (Carver, 1981). These sentences within the story leads this researcher to believe that there may be some type of conflict that will take place later in the story. After further reading, this is not what happens at all. The tone seems to change towards the middle of the story when the blind man, who is now known to be Robert, sits with the narrator and his wife; and they share in drinks along with the smoking of Literary Themes, a Look into the Short Story “Cathedral” marijuana. The narrator begins to become more open with Robert, as they converse and watch television. During this time the narrator’s once blind eyes are open to a new way of thinking. Symbolism According to R. Clugston (2010) “A symbol is something that has a literal identity but also stands for something else—something that is widely understood and has been developed over a long period of time or by common agreement” (sec. 7.2, para. 1). This researcher believes that the Cathedral in itself is a symbol. The building of a Cathedral takes a lot of work requiring more than one set of hands to complete. During the building of a Cathedral one may be exposed to many different ideas and beliefs in which one may learn quite a bit about themselves, along with learning more about the people they are working with. In this short story the narrator and Robert take part in drawing a Cathedral together, after Robert asks the narrator to describe a Cathedral to him because he had never seen one. The narrator is unable to describe a Cathedral well enough to paint a picture for the blind man. Robert then asks the narrator to draw one for him and says he will help draw it. During this time, it seems to be an eye opener for the narrator who becomes aware that Robert has more to offer than what he had believed in the beginning of the story. He learns that being blind enhances other senses, as well as gives a different outlook on life. With this the narrator is able to look upon his own life and see things a little clearer. It is this researcher’s belief that symbolism and tone helped shape the theme of the story. The tone of the narrator in the beginning of the story would not lead you to believe that the theme would be what it is, but as the story progresses and the tone changes it is clear that the theme of the story is never to judge a book by its cover. As for symbolism with the Cathedral, Literary Themes, a Look into the Short Story “Cathedral” this symbolized hard work, unity, and understanding. And it was used to open the eyes of a closed minded individual within the narrator. Even though the narrator was blind when it came to another man’s affliction, he was able to get to know the blind man; and learned that his beliefs where wrong. REFERENCE PAGE Carver, R. (1983). Cathedral. Cathedral. New York: Knopf. (Original work published 1981). Retrieved from: https://content.ashford.edu/books Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey Into Literature. San Diego: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.