Cathedral
Shawn Khan
Professor Mitchell
English 1B
9/24/2014
The Blind Can See “People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone” (Audrey Hepburn). Hepburn’s quote in terms of this short story depicts the relationship between the narrator’s wife, narrator, and Robert. The narrator has a rebirth of his own personality after he meets Robert. At first, the husband seems to lack sensitivity, and at times is egotistic. As the story progresses, the narrators attitude changes and is redeemed at the end of the story. In Raymond Carver's "Cathedral", even though Robert is physically blind, it is really the narrator who cannot see clearly about relationships; however, the husband finds redemption in regards to putting himself into the blinds man’s shoes. Both men’s relationship with the narrator’s wife is out looked as two different entities. Between Robert and wife, there is a deeper meaning between their friendships. The narrator wife emphasizes, “goddamn it, his wife’s just died! Don’t you understand that? The man’s lost his wife!” (108). Roberts’s wife ironically dies short after we’re introduced to her. He takes the opportunity to visit the narrator’s wife. The blind man is a Christ figure in the story and he saves their relationship by showing Roberts as an understanding and sociable person; which is how he redeems himself through interaction. The husband is given a new perspective in life for the better. The narrator and his wife’s marriage seems headed for a downfall. At the beginning of the short story, the narrator states “Maybe I could take him bowling” (107); however, as the story progresses he comforts his wife indicating, “It’s all right” (115) when the blind man and him are drawing the cathedral. The narrator makes an indirect rude comment regarding Robert. As the husband transcends his ego, his tone changes and we see a softer side of him. He starts to respect the people in his household.
Professor Mitchell
English 1B
9/24/2014
The Blind Can See “People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone” (Audrey Hepburn). Hepburn’s quote in terms of this short story depicts the relationship between the narrator’s wife, narrator, and Robert. The narrator has a rebirth of his own personality after he meets Robert. At first, the husband seems to lack sensitivity, and at times is egotistic. As the story progresses, the narrators attitude changes and is redeemed at the end of the story. In Raymond Carver's "Cathedral", even though Robert is physically blind, it is really the narrator who cannot see clearly about relationships; however, the husband finds redemption in regards to putting himself into the blinds man’s shoes. Both men’s relationship with the narrator’s wife is out looked as two different entities. Between Robert and wife, there is a deeper meaning between their friendships. The narrator wife emphasizes, “goddamn it, his wife’s just died! Don’t you understand that? The man’s lost his wife!” (108). Roberts’s wife ironically dies short after we’re introduced to her. He takes the opportunity to visit the narrator’s wife. The blind man is a Christ figure in the story and he saves their relationship by showing Roberts as an understanding and sociable person; which is how he redeems himself through interaction. The husband is given a new perspective in life for the better. The narrator and his wife’s marriage seems headed for a downfall. At the beginning of the short story, the narrator states “Maybe I could take him bowling” (107); however, as the story progresses he comforts his wife indicating, “It’s all right” (115) when the blind man and him are drawing the cathedral. The narrator makes an indirect rude comment regarding Robert. As the husband transcends his ego, his tone changes and we see a softer side of him. He starts to respect the people in his household.