Much like many characters in Carver's stories, the protagonists in this narrative grapple with feelings of alienation and loneliness. The narrator is unhappy with his job, feels jealous of his wife, and is emotionally disconnected from those around him. Not only does he feel isolated, but he also resents his wife's interactions with other people. Regarding the upcoming visit from the blind man, he admits, "I wasn’t enthusiastic about his visit ... A blind man in my house was not something I looked forward to." Furthermore, when Robert arrives, the narrator makes no effort to engage him in conversation, choosing instead to remain aloof and simply observe. As their conversation dwindles, the narrator turns on the television, an act that is not only rude but also underscores his complete disengagement from both his wife and her friend.

The narrator's behavior is evident not only through his interactions with his wife but also through her responses to him. For example, when he mentions that he doesn't have any blind friends, she quickly replies, "You don't have any friends ... Period."

It's also clear that the narrator's wife has endured significant periods of isolation and loneliness before her current marriage. After working for Robert as his reader, she married an Air Force officer, which required her to move frequently due to his career. At one point, she attempted suicide because, as the narrator explains, "... she got to feeling lonely and cut off from people she kept losing in that moving around life. She got to feeling she couldn't go on another step." Her communication with Robert through tape recordings seemed to provide her some comfort. However, there is little evidence that her current marriage offers her the human connection she deeply craves. As she tries to prepare the narrator for the upcoming visit, she pleads, "If you love me... you can do this for me. If you don't love me, okay." This plea indicates her uncertainty about whether she feels loved or valued by the narrator.

Among the three characters in the story, Robert, the blind man, seems to be the only one not experiencing alienation and isolation. This is ironic because, despite his blindness—a condition Carver implies might hinder forming human connections—Robert has just lost his beloved wife. One might naturally assume such a loss would result in profound loneliness. However, the story shows no evidence of this. Robert is outgoing, courteous, and genuinely interested in others. Despite his journey through grief and mourning, he reaches out to both the narrator and his wife with a generous gesture of human kindness.