W15 Close Reading of Cathedral
The story tells of a blind man that the man’s wife worked for, who just lost his wife and is moving in with the two. The man is apprehensive to the blind man coming, and is a little suspicious or even fearful, especially in the tone he discusses about him. This passage shows about the blind man’s (Robert) wife, Beulah. He pities the woman, who had died an early and painful life, as if her life was not fulfilling without even meeting her.
Going about Beulah, he mentions that she could never receive a truthful compliment from her husband. I feel this is biased and superficial of him to think, since that he doesn’t understand Robert yet, and there’s ways for blind people to “see” others and that he married her because she was beautiful to him in his own way. I think Carver wrote him like this so that we can see how his opinion changes as we progress through meeting and becoming familiar with him.
Later through the story, the man and Robert share moments where they become more comfortable with each other. Watching TV, the title comes to Meaning as a cathedral based show comes on and they have a discussion about the cathedral, with the man needing to describe about them to Robert. Eventually drawing a cathedral together, that’s where I felt that the man understands now how Robert is, and if the story continued, we would be able to get that sympathy.
“And then I found myself thinking what a pitiful life this woman must have led. Imagine a woman who could never see herself as she was seen in the eyes of her loved one. A woman who could go on day after day and never receive the smallest compliment from her beloved. A woman whose husband could never read the expression on her face, be it misery or something better. Someone who could wear makeup or not—what difference to him?”
Raymond Carver, Cathedral (1981). http://www.giuliotortello.it/ebook/cathedral.pdf
Hey Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI did not read this story, but it seems interesting. It does seems extremely superficial of this man to think that just because Robert is blind, his wife never received compliments from him. First off it shows that this man does not truly know what it means to be in love, because the compliments on looks from your significant other are definitely not the only way to feel loved. Eventually Father Time makes everyone uglier and also not able to see as well, so if you are judging the strength of a marriage by the compliments they give each other on looks, then you are in for a rude awakening when old age comes knocking at your door. This is definitely setting up a story in which this man grows and learns a lot, and it seems like a good read. Thanks for your thoughts!
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeletethis story is incredibly interesting. I think there is a real message behind this story. I totally agree with Anthony in his comment above that it was really superficial for the man to think that only because Robert is bling he couldn't of complimented his wife. The message behind that is that you don't only give a compliment just on your physical looks. He could compliment her on her way of showing love, or even the way she talks, or the way her hair smells, it doesn't always has to be about looks. Really makes you think though that a lot of us women are always so worried about what we look like and how our clothes look and if we're too fat. You can actually really appreciate a love like the one Robert has with his wife because you know that is real love to fall for someone that you don't even know what they look like. Great story and great analysis. Thanks!