Essay on Cathedral Character Analysis

Words: 1401
Pages: 6

Blinded In the story "Cathedral", by Raymond Carver, the narrator is conflicted with issues of inner-demons that are manifested in a blind man whom he perceives as a danger to his marriage. The narrator in this story is a good example of an anti-hero showing negative characteristics while never actually being a bad guy. This gives the idea that he is very humanistic character. That being said, he is a flawed character who is just trying to please his wife while not giving up what he wants. In the end he realizes that he can have both revealing a very enlighten experience. Over the entire story the narrator is confronted with different moments that gradually alters his perspective and changes him for the better. When we first meet …show more content…
But this blind man smoked his cigarette down to the nubbin and then lit another one." so now we can assume that many of the misconceptions that the narrator had about the blind have disappeared and that he starting to open his eyes more now (Carver 110). After meeting Robert, and having dinner with him, our narrator is forced to revoke many of his diluted ideas of blind people and become more aware his jealousy of Robert. After dinner, when they return back to the living room, the narrator listens to his wife and Robert talk. He show us that he is still worried about being forgotten by saying, "Now and then I joined in. I didn't want him to think I'd left the room, and I didn't want her to think I felt left out." and even remind us of his jealously towards Robert (Carver 110). He mentions how he was waiting that entire time to be mentioned by his wife but all they were talking about was themselves. The most important changes happen to the narrator when the wife is removed from the picture, once the wife goes up stairs and disappears for awhile, the narrator feels obligated to talk with Robert and to describe what is on television. This is a monumental experience for the narrator because he gets to confront Robert on how he feels about his