The narrator is unhappy when his wife invites her blind friend Robert to stay the night. During Robert's visit, the narrator struggles to understand what life is like for the blind man. His perspective begins to change when Robert asks him to draw what a cathedral looks like with his eyes closed. By drawing without sight, the narrator gains new insight into Robert's experience and his own narrow viewpoint.

1. Cathedral
Raymond Carver

2. Summary
The story starts out with the narrator’s wife telling him that her
friend, a blind man, is going to spend the night at their house. The
narrator does not approve and has very rude thoughts about the
blind. The wife then picks up the blind man, whose name is Robert,
and when they enter the house, the narrator is surprised by how
normal he looks, though does not like how he does not have
glasses covering his unfocused eyes. They have dinner and then sit
in the living room to watch TV. The only thing on is a show about
the Middle Ages, but Robert says he likes learning new things. The
narrator attempts to describe what a cathedral looks like to the
blind man, but fails. Robert then suggests that he draw it, which he
does. Near the end, Robert tells him to close his eyes and draw.
When he is finished, he does not open his eyes, but rather says he
knows he is in his home and yet he feels nowhere, and when asked
about the picture, says it is “really something”.

3. Conflict
External Conflict: The
narrator’s thoughts and
actions towards Robert
Internal Conflict: The
narrator’s thoughts and
stereotypes of the blind
in general which make it
hard for him to accept
him, and his internal
struggle of not being able
to “see” what life is really
about

4. Turning Point: When the
blind man tells the
narrator to draw the
cathedral, they finally
begin to understand each
other
Resolution: When the
narrator draws with his
eyes closed, finally
understanding the blind
man and himself
Resolution

5. Narration
Told in first person and past tense
Narrator is the husband and we only know his thoughts and
feelings. All conflict revolves around him.
The narrative voice shifts from animosity to surprise and
acceptance. His focus shifts from disliking Robert to
being curious about him and the way he lives.
The narrator has a very biased point of view. He and the
other two characters only know what has been done and
what he/she/they think. The readers see both sides of
every situation and are able to draw their own
conclusions and they have the highest level of
understanding, and form their own opinions about each
of the characters.

6. Indirect Characterization: Instead of outright describing the characters the author
uses their behaviors, thoughts, and actions, especially the narrator, to show the
Narrator
Protagonist--opinionated,
judgemental, and “blind” in his
narrow outlook on life
Antagonist--angry with himself
and his wife and does not
understand people
Disliked by reader at first, but
then reader seems to feel sorry
for him and his unhappiness in
life
Narrator’s Wife
Befriends and invites the blind
man to visit, which the whole
story revolves around
Robert
The blind man
The foil to the narrator.
Although he is physically blind
he has more wisdom and “sight”
than the narrator
Admired by the reader for his
positive attitude and not letting
his handicap stand in his way of
a good life
Minor Characters
Wife’s First Husband
Robert’s Wife
Characters

7. Setting
New York
The place is not essential to the plot of the
story
When??
Around the 1960’s or 70’s. While in the living
room, the three talked about just recently
getting colored TV’s.
Where?

8. Symbolism
The Cathedral
Symbol from religion
Very tall symbolizing having a connection to God,
and it is a place where people can go to pray to
have peace and solace
The narrator could not describe the cathedral in
words, but could draw it. After finishing his
drawing, with his eyes closed, he finally felt at
peace with himself, like one feels when inside a
cathedral

9. Theme
Viewpoints of Vision
Throughout the story, the theme of vision is apparent. The
narrator believes that the ability to see is of utmost
importance, therefore he is superior to his colleague who is
blind. The story shows that literal sight is no better than
careful insight.
Robert, though he is blind, can see on a much deeper level than
the narrator, and shows that he has much more developed
insight into himself and those around him.
Robert is better at listening than the narrator, and has a better
relationship with the narrator’s wife than the narrator as a
result.

10. Works Cited
Images
Blurry Vision Eye Chart. Digital image. NIDDK Image Library. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases, 2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
Carver, Raymond. Cathedral Short Story Cover. Digital image. Flickr. Flickr, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
Cathedral Clipart. Digital image. USF Illustrations. University of South Florida, 2014. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
Cathedral Hands. Digital image. Sonja Murphy Illustration. Sonja Murphy, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
Knight, Jennifer. Raymond Carver Profile. Digital image. Pinterest. N.p., 2012. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.