Critics frequently discuss Ernest Hemingway's influence on Raymond Carver. Read several stories from each author. In what ways are their works similar? In what ways do they differ? Pay attention to elements such as dialogue, detail, characterization, and plot.

Find multiple pictures of various cathedrals and examine them closely. Then, close your eyes and attempt to draw one of the cathedrals. How accurate is your drawing? How does the cathedral in your mind compare to the one you drew? What did you "see" when your eyes were closed?

Look for several accounts written by blind individuals about how they "see" the world. If possible, interview a blind person and try to describe something you see. Does this change your perception of the object? If so, why do you think this change happened?

Raymond Carver's writing appears to evolve between the stories in Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? and those in Cathedral. Read several stories from each collection. What differences do you notice? What might explain the change in Carver's style?