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A Woman And A Blind Man Illustrated In Carver's Cathedral

502 Words3 Pages

Cathedral, written by Carver is a story about two friends, a woman and a blind man, which took place in 1983. After relocating from Seattle due to her husband’s job, the two friends who stay in touch through tapes and poems, reunited again after ten years. I believe that the main character of the story was the blind man, and the main theme was the friendship. The story, which was sad, nonetheless motivating, encourages all to live life to the fullest, irrespective, of circumstances or disability. One thing that I found interesting, besides, astonishing was when the blind man asked if he could touch, her faced, something that I found touching. The story relates to my life in that there was a time when I felt lost, sad and broken hearted after losing my mother. …show more content…

It was interesting how Maggie mom described herself as a big-boned woman with rough man-working hands, likewise what she had worn to bed in the winter, and what she would wear during the day. The main gist of the story was the quilts of grandma Dee, and how beautiful and special they were. Expressly, knowing she had stitched them with her hands. It was also interesting to see how detail she was when describing Dee dress (loud that it hurts her eyes, yellow and oranges enough to throw back the light in the sun, and her entire face warming from the heat waves coming from the dress). It was astonishing, however sad to see how her daughter Dee disregarded her heritage, even changing her name, since she believe that the name given to her was from her oppressors, which she was wrong. The story relate to my life since I agree with Maggie that some things are not for an everyday use, especially those things we looked at as being meaningful to our

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In "Cathedral," Raymond Carver explores the transformative power of human connection and the potential for understanding that emerges from genuine interaction. The story highlights the narrator's initial prejudice and discomfort towards the blind man, Robert, as a reflection of his narrow perception of the world. However, as the narrator and Robert engage in conversation and spend time together, a bond begins to form. This bond is exemplified in a pivotal moment when they draw a cathedral together, with the narrator's eyes closed and their hands intertwined. This shared experience allows the narrator to transcend his limited understanding and connect with Robert on a deeper level.

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1214 Words | 5 Pages

Readers can appreciate the subtly placed examples of dramatic and situational irony throughout the works of Carver. Cathedral by Raymond Carver is the story about a blind man, Robert, who visits a husband and wife in their home. One would expect the husband

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448 Words | 2 Pages

In Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral,” written in 1983, the author points out that empathy and perspective are the only way to truly experience profound emotion. The narrator is struggling is sucked into his own comfort zone, he drowns his dissatisfaction on life, marriage, and job in alcohol. A man of limited awareness breaks through his limitations by socializing with a blind man. Despite Roberts physical limitations, he is the one who saved narrator from himself and helped him to find the ones vies of the world.

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The author use of the title “Cathedral” was misleading at first. “Cathedral” is about a husband who had an interesting experience with his wife’s blind friend. The narrator, also known as the husband, had difficulty understanding other people thoughts and personal feelings. The narrator knew how important the blind man is to his wife, yet he still makes careless jokes about him. “Maybe I could take him bowling” was a comment made by the narrator after finding out that the blind man was staying over his house.

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1032 Words | 5 Pages

Sarnowski describes Maggie by stating, “She ekes out an existence on the family farm and has neither the intelligence nor the physical attributes of Dee/Wangero” (Sarnowski 278). This statement shows that Maggie lives a conservative type of farm life, and due to this lifestyle, she is less intelligent than her sister. This statement also shows how the character Maggie is described in a sense as inferior to Dee because of her lack of education and physical attributes. Maggie’s traditionalist ways show, however, when she tells her mother, “"She can have them, Mama,” … "I can 'member Grandma Dee without the quilts"” (Walker 6).

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917 Words | 4 Pages

“Cathedral” is a short and warm story written by Raymond Carver. The author portrays the story in the first person narrative. Carver presents the interaction between an unnamed couple and a blind man by the name of Robert, who is visiting them. The story is told by the husband, the narrator, who is a prejudiced, jealous, and insecure man with very limited awareness of blindness. This theme is exposed through Carver’s description of the actions of the narrator whose lack of knowledge by stereotyping a blind man.

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751 Words | 4 Pages

What is Microaggression? Break down the word microaggression to micro and aggression. Micro means small and aggression means to be pushy, so with that being said is must mean being pushy in a small manor. In these couple of cases it does not. Microaggression can be a huge ordeal.

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In the short stories we have read there have been numerous themes. The impact of tradition, the value of heritage, the importance of family, the divide between social classes, and the presence of love are all ideas that can be found in the stories we have read. Short stories have managed to encapture the importance and true meaning of life in just a few sentences by imposing on the readers themes we can all relate to. A common theme presented in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” and Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson” is the power of knowledge and education. In “Everyday Use,” two sister Dee and Maggie have different views on how they should preserve and honor their heritage.

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"Cathedral" by Raymond Carver is a short story that follows an unnamed narrator and his experience with Robert, a blind man whom he was introduced to through his wife.   At first, the narrator is not too fond of having a blind man at his house but allows it for the sake of his wife. Eventually, the narrator becomes more open with the audience and Robert, and in the end, they truly connect when Robert asks to draw a cathedral together. There are many times throughout the story when the narrator becomes more open and it is especially apparent in certain word choices.   One instance is on page 34 of the book when the narrator offers Robert marijuana.

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487 Words | 2 Pages

In this textual analysis, I will be discussing the connection between the protagonist, the unnamed narrator, and the major theme of Cathedral by Raymond Carver. The theme illustrates the perspective of an individual with vision versus an individual who suffers from blindness. Carver wants readers to understand the importance of getting to know an individual who is different from you first before passing judgment. With the help of alcohol and marijuana, the narrator’s close-minded, dissatisfied personality changes, developing an acquaintance with the blind man, Robert, and escaping into his world. The beginning of the story gives readers a glimpse into the narrator’s negative personality.

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602 Words | 3 Pages

In Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” he writes a story about a husband's journey to his epiphany. Robert, a blind man, teaches the husband how to see without his eyes. Often a person with the ability to see takes this for granted, leaving them only to see what is on the outside rather than seeing people, and things for what they really are. In this short story, Carver conveys the narrators epiphany through the symbol of the cathedral. Carver develops a story with symbolism throughout his story, beginning with the first line, “This blind man, an old friend of my wife’s

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865 Words | 4 Pages

In the world of literature, stories are often released for the purpose of social commentary or even to reflect on the authors past in a that its similar to an autobiography. Raymond Carver is a unique author often creating short stories that are of his own personal life through fictional characters that embody the turmoil he has gone through and social commentary on social issues. This is seen especially in his 1981 short story, Cathedral with a revised version being released in 1983, but we are gonna focus on the 1981 original. Cathedral’s plot centers around a blind man named Robert who after his wife dies, he lives with his departed wife’s friend who soon alongside her husband, helps teach Robert to learn a new way of seeing. The plot of the story while simple, is very complex under the surface, being a plot that is about three people who is dependent on each other and the connection that develops.

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1283 Words | 6 Pages

This point of view contributes to this story is multiple ways. Mama narrating this story helps to give the reader insight into the past of the characters. Mama was there for everything that happened in the lives of her two daughters, Dee and Maggie. She knows their personalities and how they feel about their heritage and lives. As a result of Mama’s knowledge of these important details, Mama is able to add a contrast between the past and the present.

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572 Words | 3 Pages

As a woman, a huge fear of mine is becoming pregnant when I am not ready for children. Although I take precautionary measures, I know it can still happen. Every Canadian woman should have access to free and safe abortions in Canada. Not every pregnancy is planned and it should not be forced on people if it is unplanned. Access to free and safe abortions allows these women to continue with their lives without having to worry about finances and babies.

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528 Words | 3 Pages

In his contemporary short story, “Cathedral,” Raymond Carver tells the story of an unnamed narrator, his wife, and an old friend, a blind man named Robert. Robert has come to visit the narrator’s wife, who is quite excited to see this man whom she hasn’t seen in ten years, yet the same can’t be said of the narrator who is noticeably and vocally uncomfortable about his visit. The story is told through the narrator’s first person point of view, showcasing his thoughts and the events that take place when Robert comes to visit. Carver highlights the theme of having the ability to see, but not truly seeing, through his use of colloquial language, and creation of relatable characters. “Cathedral” begins with the narrator informing the audience

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