Thematic Analysis of Cathedral | Assignment

Running head: THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF CATHEDRAL
THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF CATHEDRAL
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THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF CATHEDRAL1
Introduction
Raymond Carver was one of the most recognized poets and short-story writers in
America. His short story ‘Cathedral’ was published among the collection of short stories
published in the year 1983 titled “Cathedral”. The story was recognized to be one of the best
American short stories in the year 1982 prior to its official publishing in the year 1983. The
story offers to its readers a fine bend between minimalistic storytelling and the element of
catharsis. The plot of the story concerns the relationships of a marriage and a friendship, with
the wife of the narrator acting as a connector between three lives. Furthermore, the blind man
in the story plays an important role in creating an impact on the lives of not only the narrator
but also his wife. The essay will further analyze the main thematic elements of the story,
which have been identified to be blindness, revelation and transformation of relationships and
how they create an impact on the life of the narrator, thereby providing him with a new
perspective.
Discussion
The theme of a story plays an important role in bringing out the purpose of the
characters and thereby putting the ideas and beliefs of the author to his readers. The response
of the readers on reading the story is guided by the theme depicted in it. The culmination of
the actions and words of all the characters who are involved in the plot is achieved through
the establishment of the theme of the story. In this regard, the primary themes being explored
in the short story ‘Cathedral’ written by Raymond Carver includes blindness from a literal as
well as symbolic approach, revelation and the transformation of relationships with the course
of time and experiences that the characters undergo.
The most significant and perceivable theme explored in the short story pertains to the
blindness of Robert. As is discovered in the story, it is primarily Robert’s blindness, which

THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF CATHEDRAL2
makes him associate with the wife of the narrator by offering her the job of reading to him.
During the course of her work, the wife developed an attachment towards the blind man and
kept in touch with him even though she had to leave from a Seattle afterwards. The blindness
of the man created an impact on her life, which ultimately aided her to become friends with
Robert, leading her to the extent of sharing her happiness and sorrows with him. The
simplicity of their friendship in turn made her perceptive to the present state of her marriage
with an officer. His transferrable job prevented the wife from being able to form any
significant relationship with anybody, leaving her with the sole companionship of the blind
man, whom she used to send tapes about her daily life. When Robert came to visit her and her
husband, the narrator, he insightfully prevents any uncomfortable situation among them by
trying to blend into their lives. The perceptive and positive nature of Robert despite his
handicap of blindness provides the narrator with a new perspective towards life (Nayabpour
270). In this regard, it may be mentioned that the blindness of Robert positively affects not
only his friend but also her husband.
The second theme that is observable in the story is the theme of a personal journey of
revelation for the three characters. The first personal journey involves that of Robert’s who
does not let his handicap disrupt his experience of living his life. It may also be considered
that it is his blindness that helps him to become more insightful and perceptive towards the
little details that makes life and the relationships in it more meaningful (Sadeq and
Mohammed Al-Badawi 157). Robert does not look for sympathy form the people
surrounding him. Instead, he tries to live his life on his own terms, doing the things that any
other person without a disability would do, be it travelling to different places, tuning in to
television programs or even smoking and drinking.
The second revelation involves the journey of the wife of the narrator. The
companionship and friendship extended by Robert makes her realize the importance of