Literary Analysis: Cathedral

Cathedral

            Narrations allow authors to present their thoughts and feelings in a way that can, hopefully, create change in the reader. A message suggested through the writing, when done correctly, is one that the reader receives appropriately. The message, or theme, presented in Cathedral propels itself forward through the use of key elements The use of the key elements in narrative stories, such as the point of view and symbols, can help to pull the writing together and push the theme forward, propelling the message that the author intended for their readers. The theme of this writing is revealed through the use of the point of view that allows the reader to understand the narrator's blindness as well as symbols that relate to the important events of the text.

Theme

            Cathedral, written by Raymond Carver, seems to house a number of themes. The writing touches on the stereotypes that the world has to those that are considered handicap and how these stereotypes can be so wrong. Also, the writing touches on isolation and the pain associated with such isolation as well as the power of connections that can help pull on through those feelings. However, the theme that seems strongest in this particular writing is that one may be too blind to see the flaws within themselves but their flaws can be evident and pushed to change by the least likely observer.

            The story follows a narrator that sees the world through blind eyes, failing to take the time to truly know someone before making judgments about who he believes them to be. The narrator believes that Robert, the blind man, is less capable or able than himself. When he realizes that the man smokes, his thoughts were revealed because he believed "...that the blind didn't smoke because...they couldn't see the smoke they exhaled" (as cited in Clugston, 2010, pp. 160). Another comment made about Robert was that the narrator "...always thought dark glasses were a must for the blind" (as cited by Clugston, 2010, pp. 159). These particular thoughts, shared by the narrator, reveal that he is blind to the world around him.

Point of View

            Cathedral's story progresses via the first person narrator. This particular narrator remains nameless but their personality reveals itself through their thoughts and actions throughout the writing. The use of first person narration for this piece helps to reveal the theme and show the lack of insight that the narrator holds. His prejudice, stereotype-drive thoughts, and insensitivity toward others push the story forward and create, in the reader, a strong desire to see his ways change and become a prelude to the change that eventually does happen.

            The narrator's personality traits become obvious throughout the thoughts, actions, and comments made by the narrator throughout the majority of the piece. He, the narrator, seemed to have no connection to the emotions that others experienced. When he initially introduced the idea of Robert's visit, he said that his wife had died and that "..he was visiting the dead wife's relatives..." (as cited by Clugston, 2010, pp.154). The way in which he spoke of this stranger's wife made the event seem almost meaningless. His insensitivity does not just extend to the blind stranger but, also to his wife when he makes a comment about her writing. At one point, he speaks on his wife's poetry, which she writes about experiences that are very meaningful and important to her, by saying "I can remember I didn't think much of the poem” (as cited by Clugston, 2010, pp.155).

Symbolism

            Another way that the author pushes the story forward to help promote its theme is through the use of symbolism. The first symbol that seemed to stand out was the touching of the narrator's wife's face by Robert. This particular event was one that proved to be extremely important to her. The narrator tells us that "she even tried to write a poem about it"(as cited by Clugston, 2010, pp. 155). This particular act seems to solidify the importance of the relationship that the narrator's wife and Robert share. This is also why the narrator's lack of interest in his wife's poem show his insensitivity toward her. Not only is the poetry important but, Robert is as well. The touch between them showed the comfort and trust that existed.

            Additionally, the cathedral was a symbol within this writing. The "cathedral is a symbol of great human achievement and spiritual devotion: the result of a community effort, cooperation, and trust" (Clugston, 2010, pp. 164). The explanation that Robert asked the narrator to provide of the cathedral is what brought about the cooperation between the two of them and eventually the trust that the narrator gave to Robert. The narrator begins to trust Robert when told to close his eyes and continue to draw  with his eyes closed. The narrator does so narrating, "I closed them just like he said" (as cited by Clugston, 2010, pp. 167). Through this act of trust and cooperation, the narrator continues to draw the cathedral and is finally able to "see" and move toward a change.

Conclusion

            In conclusion, the use of elements such as the point of view or symbols can help to reveal the theme to the readers and give the understanding of the piece that the author intended. The theme of this story moved forward and revealed through the author in first person as he went from being blind to finally being able to see. His negative thoughts about the person that helped him turned into trust and, as a result, led to gained insight.

Reference

Clugston, R.W. (2010). Journey Into Literature. San Diego: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.