Themes: Change and Transformation
The narrator and his wife experience profound changes through their interactions with Robert. Years prior to the story's events, when the narrator's wife stopped working for Robert, he requested to touch her face. She attempts to explain the significance of this moment to the narrator and even shares a poem she wrote about it. The fact that she created a poem underscores its transformative impact; as the narrator observes, "She wrote a poem or two every year, usually after something really important had happened to her." However, the narrator fails to appreciate its importance to his wife, dismissing her poetry with, "I didn't think much of the poem ... Maybe I just don't understand poetry."
During Robert's visit, a similar moment pierces the narrator's isolation, suggesting the possibility of change and transformation in his own life. This moment occurs when Robert asks the narrator to draw a cathedral for him. Robert places his hand on top of the narrator's, guiding and supporting him throughout the process. Eventually, he instructs the narrator to close his eyes and continue drawing. The narrator reflects, "It was like nothing else in my life up to now." Although he struggles to express himself clearly, his concluding words, "It's really something," suggest that a new perspective has suddenly emerged for him.
Expert Q&A
What is the significance of the protagonist's closed eyes in the climax of Carver's "Cathedral," and how does it relate to the story's title?
What is the significance of the narrator drawing cathedrals in "Cathedral"?
In “Cathedral,” Robert having the narrator draw a cathedral is significant because this action illustrates the idiom “the blind leading the blind.” The physically blind Robert guides the emotionally and spiritually blind narrator into finding his voice and feeling a connection.
What is the significance of the final drawing scene in the story "Cathedral"?
The final drawing scene in "Cathedral" is significant as it marks an epiphany for the narrator. Initially aloof and self-centered, the narrator begins to open up to new perspectives as he draws the cathedral with the blind man. This act symbolizes his realization that life is broader than his limited viewpoint, offering him a moment of catharsis and a deeper understanding of the world beyond himself.
Symbolism of blindness and the cathedral in Raymond Carver's "Cathedral."
In Raymond Carver's "Cathedral," blindness symbolizes the narrator's inability to see beyond the surface of people and situations, reflecting his narrow-mindedness. The act of drawing the cathedral with Robert, the blind man, represents a moment of connection and revelation, allowing the narrator to perceive life with a broader, more profound understanding.
Character transformation in "Cathedral"
In "Cathedral," the narrator undergoes significant character transformation. Initially, he is prejudiced and dismissive towards Robert, a blind man. However, through their interaction and the shared experience of drawing a cathedral, the narrator gains insight into different perspectives, leading to a profound personal change and a newfound sense of empathy and connection.
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