My Take on Raymond Carvers' "Cathedral"

My Take on Raymond Carvers' "Cathedral"

    Raymond Carvers’ short story “Cathedral” is not the type of story I ever thought I would

analyze or even read with so much thought. On the surface the story seems like a rather dull yet

different first encounter for the narrator as he and his wife welcome her former, blind and

recently widowed, boss to come visit and stay at their house a night. But after having read it,

I find that the story has more depth to it than that. It is filled with subtle bits of information

that, if analyzed can make the story more complex. For instance, I have come to the conclusion

that the narrator is jealous and suspicious of the true nature of his wife and the blind mans’

history. Is it possible the two of them were a little more involved emotionally and that their

relationship was once romantic.  I believe the narrator is forced to consider that as a possibility.

            I say this for several reasons. One because after only one summer of working for the

blind man ten years ago, “…she and the blind man had kept in touch.” (p.33).  And because he is

blind, instead of using conventional letter writing to correspond, “They made tapes and mailed

them back and forth.” (p.33).  This type of communication takes a little more time and effort.

And admittedly by the narrator “...was her chief means of recreation.” (p.34).  To the point that

he, the narrator, almost seemed annoyed with it when he said “...and of course she told the blind

man about it.” (p.34).  Not to mention this type of correspondence undoubtedly costs more than

a postage stamp to mail. Also, keep in mind that hearing a person’s voice can be a very moving

and powerful thing and is simply a much more personal way to communicate. Especially for the

blind whose other senses are more heightened and attuned than the average sighted individual. 

On these tapes, sent back and forth between the blind man and the narrators’ wife, there were

uninhibited feelings about their lives, marriages and personal feelings. In depth sharing of

marital problems and insecurities can be emotional. Indeed the narrator even admitted that “She

told him everything…” (p.34). Not only did she share everything with him but she also must

have kept her conversations with the blind man very private because the narrator says “Once she

asked me if I’d like to hear the latest tape from the blind man. This was a year ago.” (p.34). 

After all the tapes sent back and forth between the two of them and only once did she want to

share one of them with her husband?  But at that point, the narrator agreed to listen and finally

got to hear part of one tape the blind man had sent.  On it was the blind man’s opinion of him.

Which understandably made him upset for a moment. Although interrupted while listening to it

he never made an attempt to go back to hear the full thing.  However it proves that the narrators

wife had shared private, personal feelings about their relationship. One thing that no one is

particularly happy to find out.  Another thing to note is that she wrote a poem, something she

enjoyed doing, about the blind man which suggests that she also thinks about him. Enough so

that, according to the narrator, “When we first started going out together, she showed me the

poem.” (p.33).  The reason given for Roberts’, the blind man, visit is that he had just lost his wife

Beulah.  Whom, as it just so happens also started out working for the blind man, taking the

position formally filled by the narrator’s wife, the very next summer after the narrator’s wife had

left to marry her high school sweetheart. Soon after beginning employment with him, Beulah and

the blind man married.  So idea that a woman could fall for the blind man that she works for and

helps is not an unlikely scenario and has precedent.  Now, however, the blind man was left alone

and in the house of a close friend that he has spent many hours over the years conversing with

about personal and private feelings.  Rebounds can happen during these types of situations.

Considering all they have shared, I would say it would be almost impossible for the two to not

have a personal connection and indeed some feelings for one another.  The narrator even shows a

hint of reluctance about meeting the blind man by stating that “I wasn’t enthusiastic about his

visit.  He was no one I knew.” (p.33)   This could be interpreted as being partially due to his

closeness to the narrator’s wife and not only because of his blindness. Once the blind man had

came and the three characters were chatting the narrator felt left out.  He shows his frustration

while waiting for his wife to say something about him “But I heard nothing of the sort.” (p.37). 

And again a hint of jealousy when it was “More talk of Robert.” (p.37)

            So the story shows glimpses of jealousy from the narrator about the closeness his wife

and her blind friend Robert have.  It also references how much they know about each other on a

personal level. As well as making it a point that the blind man indeed find love from an

employee that had held the same position his wife held previously.  The narrators depicted

almost like a spectator to their friendship and has some difficulty adjusting to someone knowing

his life, having a relationship with his wife, marriage and himself so intimately from

conversations that he has neither heard or even been a part of.  It only seems natural for the

narrators mind to wonder and question the true nature of the relationship between his wife and

the blind man Robert. 

             

Work Cited

Carver, Raymond.  “Cathedral”  The Norton Introduction to Literature  Ed.  Kelly J. Mays 11^th ed.  New York:  Norton, 2013.  32-42 Print