The story "Cathedral" begins with a somewhat discontented narrator who informs the reader about his wife's blind friend coming to visit. Although the friend is someone his wife holds dear, the narrator himself is less than thrilled about this impending visit. He then recalls the time when his wife first met this blind man during her work as a reader for him, a period when she was engaged to an Air Force officer. A significant moment arises when the blind man asks to touch her face before she leaves, a gesture that deeply affects her but eludes the narrator's comprehension.

An Unseen Bond

For a decade, the narrator's wife has maintained correspondence with this blind man, yet this upcoming visit marks the first physical meeting since her life changed — from marriage to divorce, and then remarriage. Robert, the blind friend, has recently been bereaved, having lost his beloved wife, Beulah. En route to visit his late wife's family in Connecticut, Robert plans to spend a night at the narrator's home. As the narrator learns about Robert's marriage with Beulah, he cynically muses on how tragic it must have been for Beulah to never be "seen" by her husband, reflecting his own narrow-mindedness.

Engagement Over Dinner

Upon Robert's arrival, he engages warmly with the narrator's wife, while the narrator sits on the sidelines, observing more than participating. The evening is filled with heavy drinking and abundant food, capped off with a strawberry pie. Despite the convivial atmosphere, the narrator feels detached, merely watching the interactions unfold. As the night wears on, Robert seems to tire, prompting the narrator to switch on the television, to his wife's annoyance. She retreats to change into a robe, leaving behind Robert and the narrator, who proceeds to smoke a marijuana cigarette with Robert, further displeasing her.

A Shared Vision

Later, as the narrator's wife dozes off, he finds himself in the company of Robert, facing the television. Trying to articulate what he sees on the screen proves challenging, especially when a cathedral appears during a documentary. His struggle with words highlights a deeper inability to grasp and convey the essence of the cathedral to Robert.

Drawing a New Perspective

In an attempt to bridge this gap, Robert suggests they draw a cathedral together. Eager to comply, the narrator gathers paper and a pen, handing them to Robert, who gauges the size by touch. Taking the narrator's hand in his own, Robert encourages him: "Go ahead, bub, draw," urging him to begin unhesitatingly, promising to guide him through the process.

Experiencing Transformation

The drawing session seems endless, but the turning point arrives when Robert instructs the narrator to shut his eyes and continue drawing. This act triggers an unexpected sensation within the narrator, "like nothing else in my life up to now," he confesses. Even when prompted to open his eyes, he chooses to keep them closed, enveloped in a newfound understanding of his world. "My eyes were still closed. I was in my house. I knew that. But I didn't feel like I was inside anything," he admits, sensing a profound transformation.

Embracing Change

Through this shared activity, the narrator begins to shed his previous hostility towards Robert, gaining insight beyond his blindness. This experience opens up a realm of possibilities, suggesting that change is possible in the narrator's own life. The act of drawing the cathedral, with eyes closed and guided by Robert, becomes a metaphor for seeing the world anew, unattached to preconceived notions. No longer confined by his earlier judgments, the narrator embarks on a journey towards understanding and empathy, symbolized by the vision he perceives without sight.