Cathedral' Raymond Carver Analysis of the Poem
The “Cathedral,” Raymond Carver analysis paper describes how the author portrays a story regarding the change in the narrator’s life, which had been psychologically closed after he met Robert. At first, the narrator showed discrimination and prejudice toward Robert. However, Robert shows the husband that he can see without necessarily using the physical eyes. Ultimately, the husband was able to discover the vast wisdom in the blind man. Hence, the author used physical blindness as a metaphor to emphasizes the husband's psychological blindness. Ideally, the entire story indicates the nature of the blindness, both metaphorical and physical, highlighting its effects on the narrator. Furthermore, Carver used blindness as the metaphor for the understanding, connection, and empathy and hence portrays various ways through which a person can overcome discrimination and prejudice.
Moreover, Robert overcame some of the stereotype that the blind people in a disadvantaged position. The husband states that “I remember having read somewhere that the blind didn't smoke…. but this blind man smoked his cigarette down to the nubbin and then lit another one”. The author portrays how Robert overcome discrimination and prejudice by acting against some of the laid down beliefs that put him in a disadvantaged position. He was never afraid to smoke the cigarette despite some of the laid ideas that a blind person was not fit for smoking the cigarette. Thus, acting against the negative beliefs in society is a significant way to overcome prejudice and discrimination. Also, the husband was surprised by Robert's self-reliance. For instance, the husband stated that “I watched with admiration as he used his knife and fork on the meat'. This was contrary to the husband's belief since he never expected that a blind man could feed on himself. Thus, self-reliance is a significant aspect portrayed by the author as a factor in overcoming prejudice and discrimination in society.
To affirm the blind man's concerns, the speaker indicates that “This blind man, an old friend of my wife, he was on his way to spend the night... So, he was visiting the dead wife's relatives in Connecticut”. the blind man was courageous enough to visit the wife's relatives despite his condition, this is a form of self-acceptance that played a vital role in overcoming the prejudice and discrimination that blind people tends to encounter in their daily activities. He was never afraid to appear before his wife’s relatives despite his conditions. Thus, self-acceptance and courage are some of the underlying factors highlighted by the author to show how one could overcome prejudice and discrimination.
Additionally, Carver illustrates the importance of empathy by using the theme of blindness. The wife has a noticeable difference between her relationship with Robert and her husband. While the wife has had a tumultuous life, Robert has been a steadying constant. They exchange a tape included how she feels, “lonely and cut off from people she kept losing in that moving-around life”. She had a deep emotional connection with Robert, which she never had from her husband. The husband was able to provide an economically stable life, but he was unable to provide an emotional bond. The husband could not understand the deep interactions between his wife and Robert. So, when blind Robert came to his house, instead of welcoming him, the husband judged him using his physical weakness and behaved rudely. Through these contrasting images of the two men, the author shows that physical appearance is not important, but the emotional exchange and inner beauty.
