Characters

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Narrator

The Narrator, often referred to as "Bub," is a central character in the story, undergoing significant personal transformation. Initially, he is uncomfortable and somewhat jealous of his wife's connection to Robert, the blind man. This insecurity manifests itself as both self-consciousness and disdain for the blind man's visit. Despite these feelings, the Narrator's perspective shifts profoundly during Robert's visit, particularly when they attempt to visualize a cathedral together. This moment of shared imaginative vision transcends mere intellectual engagement and introduces the Narrator to a world of deeper joy and empathy, moving him from a state of vanity and selfishness to one of personal discovery and connection to others.

Narrator's Wife

The Narrator's Wife, although unnamed, plays a pivotal role in the story. Her past friendship with Robert, formed when she worked as his reader, serves as the narrative's catalyst. This bond with Robert endures as a vital constant in her life, providing an emotional outlet through their exchange of tapes. Her life as an airforce officer's wife has been marked by frequent relocations and challenging conditions, leading to a profound sense of loneliness and isolation that once drove her to attempt suicide. The visit from Robert is significant to her, and she insists on her husband's courteous behavior. Despite falling asleep before the climax, her relationship with Robert facilitates her husband's epiphany, ultimately leading to his transformation.

Robert

Robert, the blind man, is presented as a figure of geniality and naturalness, who significantly influences those around him. His visit to the Narrator and his wife not only rekindles his enduring friendship with the wife but also sets the stage for the Narrator's transformation. Through his openness and willingness to engage in shared experiences, such as the powerful drawing of a cathedral alongside the Narrator, Robert embodies empathy and understanding. This interaction not only bridges the gap between blindness and sight but also unveils the Narrator's own spiritual and emotional blindness, ultimately leading to a transformative experience for him.

Characters in "A Small Good Thing"

The characters in "A Small Good Thing" experience profound transformations through shared anguish and unexpected moments of connection. The mother and father, grieving the loss of their son Scotty after a car accident, endure emotional turmoil heightened by a seemingly cruel, persistent phone call from the baker. The mother's eventual confrontation with the baker at his shop leads to a pivotal moment of reconciliation and understanding. Realizing his own loneliness and diminished humanity, the baker offers solace by sharing freshly baked bread, marking a moment of healing and communion. This gesture helps to alleviate the parents' sorrow, illustrating the power of empathy and shared humanity in overcoming grief.

Expert Q&A

In "Cathedral," is the main character round or flat, static or dynamic? What about the secondary characters?

The primary character of Raymond Carver’s story is the unnamed narrator. He is a dynamic character but not necessarily round. Carver offers very limited backstories for the characters, so the reader sees them primarily through the events of the story’s present time. The secondary main character, Robert, is somewhat more complex. Because the reader learns all the information through the narrator, our view of Robert is heavily colored by his perspective.

Narrator

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The unnamed male narrator, referred to as ''Bub'' by Robert, the blind man, serves as the protagonist of the story. The events unfold through his perspective. In the opening line, the narrator casually states, ‘‘This blind man, an old friend of my wife's, he was on his way to spend the night.’’ The narrator feels envious of his wife's friendship with the blind man. He is dissatisfied with his job and feels isolated from others. His wife mentions that he has no friends.

The narrator is displeased about the blind man's visit. He appears uneasy with the concept of blindness, his wife's bond with Robert, and his own difficulty in connecting with people.

Following an evening of heavy drinking and smoking pot, the narrator turns on the television and begins describing what he sees to the blind man. When images of a cathedral appear on the screen, the narrator, often inarticulate, struggles to describe it. The blind man then teaches him to "see" the cathedral through drawing.

Expert Q&A

Describe the narrator's epiphany at the end of "Cathedral."

In "Cathedral," the narrator has an epiphany when he closes his eyes while drawing a cathedral with the blind man, Robert. This experience allows him to "see" beyond his limited, self-centered perspective. Initially dismissive and unsympathetic, the narrator's brief "blindness" helps him realize the value of seeing the world from different viewpoints. This newfound insight dissolves his hostility and jealousy, offering him a chance to change and connect more deeply with others.

What does the "Cathedral" narrator learn from Robert, and is the ending convincing?

The narrator learns from Robert that it is possible to be able to see without understanding and to understand without seeing. Robert has never seen the narrator's wife, but he knows all about her thoughts and feelings, which the narrator doesn't. Robert has never seen a cathedral, but it is he who shows the narrator how to actually experience what he encounters in life. Robert teaches the narrator insight, and it does feel like an epiphany.

Is the narrator in "Cathedral" an antihero? What early details reveal his sensitive side?

The narrator in "Cathedral" is an antihero, lacking traditional heroic traits. Early in the story, his sensitivity is revealed through his awareness of his own prejudices and his respect for his wife's poetry, even if he doesn't fully understand it. He listens carefully to his wife's past and shows concern about the blind man's opinions of him. Despite his flaws, including jealousy and substance abuse, these details hint at a deeper sensitivity and desire for connection.

What significance and dimension does the cathedral bring to the narrator's learning experience in Carver's story?

The question is what does the Cathedral symbolize in the story and why does it come at the end of the story.

What are three comparisons and contrasts between the narrator and Robert in "Cathedral"?

The narrator and Robert have a few similarities, but more differences. The narrator and Robert are similar in that they have both been married and both have had long-term relationships with the same woman. They also enjoy smoking marijuana together, and they share the experience of being blind. They are different in that the narrator is still married to Beulah, while Robert has been widowed for years. Also, Robert is visually impaired but able to live independently. The narrator's ability to live on his own is unknown because he chooses to stay with his wife, as opposed to Robert who does not need anyone's help at all.

Why can't the narrator describe a cathedral at the end of "Cathedral" and what does this reveal about him?

The narrator struggles to describe a cathedral due to his limited understanding and emotional disconnection. This inability highlights his figurative blindness and lack of depth in perceiving the world, contrasting with Robert's perceptive insight despite his physical blindness. Through drawing with Robert, the narrator begins to "see" beyond his literal sight, gaining empathy and self-awareness. This experience reveals his jealousy, apprehension, and eventual insight into his wife's bond with Robert and his own personal growth.

Do you feel sympathetic towards the narrator in "Cathedral"?

The narrator is a sympathetic character in this story. This sympathy comes from the narrator's open-mindedness and how much a casual experience has changed him.

Who is the narrator in "Cathedral" by Raymond Carver and why is he disturbed by the blind man's visit? Why can't he describe a cathedral? Why does the blind man tell him to close his eyes while drawing? What does the cathedral symbolize to both of them?

The narrator is a middle-class white man. The story takes place in his home, where he lives with his wife and their blind friend, Robert. Robert was an old friend of the wife's from school, and they have always kept in touch through letters that have been recorded on tape. The narrator is bothered by Robert's visit because in his mind, people who are blind must be slow and unhappy. He has never met a blind person before, nor has he ever really tried to describe something visually to someone who couldn't see it. This exercise leads him to realize that perhaps he can't really "see" anything unless it first is described verbally for him; the only things he can truly "see"

Is the narrator in "Cathedral" jealous of the blind man?

The narrator is jealous of his wife's relationship with Robert, but he is blind to this jealousy and covers it up with a show of nonchalance.

Why does the blind man ask the narrator to draw with his eyes closed, and what insights does the narrator gain?

The blind man, Robert, asks the narrator to draw with his eyes closed to help him connect with his inner self and others, overcoming his jealousy and isolation. This exercise leads the narrator to realize that true understanding and connection come from within, beyond visual perception. By closing his eyes, he learns to rely on memory and imagination, gaining a sense of freedom and connection that transcends physical boundaries, as he feels uncontained by his surroundings.

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Robert

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Robert is a blind friend of the narrator's wife. He is well-traveled and highly educated. Years earlier, the narrator's wife worked for him as a reader, and they formed a close friendship. At the beginning of the story, Robert has recently lost his wife and is traveling across the country to visit his late wife's family. He arranges to spend a night with the narrator and his wife. During his stay, Robert demonstrates that he is a patient and kind individual, deeply caring for the narrator's wife. Despite the narrator's rude behavior, Robert remains pleasant and sociable.

Robert and the narrator share several drinks and smoke marijuana together. After the narrator's wife falls asleep, the narrator turns on the television. Robert then asks the narrator to describe a cathedral to him. When the narrator struggles to do so, Robert suggests that he draw one instead. Placing his hand over the narrator's hand as he draws, Robert teaches the narrator how to truly experience a cathedral. Through this shared activity, Robert helps the narrator grow and gain new perspectives.

Expert Q&A

What is the significance of Robert's beard in "Cathedral"?

Robert's beard in "Cathedral" symbolizes his need for reassurance and introspection. He often touches his beard to comfort himself, especially given the narrator's initial hostility. This gesture also reflects his deep thought and contemplation, as seen when he tugs at his beard while listening to the television. Since the story is narrated from the protagonist's perspective, Robert's beard becomes a subtle expression of his emotions and internal experiences.

In "Cathedral," what does Robert "see" throughout the evening?

Throughout the evening, Robert "sees" through his senses and imagination, contrasting with the narrator's initial close-mindedness. Robert perceives the world by tracing outlines and envisioning faces. When the narrator struggles to describe a cathedral on TV, Robert encourages him to draw it with closed eyes, leading to a transformative experience for the narrator. This moment shifts the narrator's perspective, making him open to change and less aware of Robert's blindness.

Why is Robert, in Carver's "Cathedral," an effective teacher despite being unlikely?

Robert is an effective teacher in "Cathedral" due to his ability to connect emotionally despite his blindness. His sensitivity, heightened by his loss of sight and recent widowhood, allows him to foster empathy in the narrator. Through simple acts of kindness, such as guiding the narrator's hand to draw a cathedral with closed eyes, Robert helps the narrator see beyond his loneliness and metaphorically open his eyes and heart to the world and those around him.

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