Raymond Carver’s ‘Cathedral’ is a story that truly elucidates the experience of enlightenment. In the eponymous story, ‘Cathedral’, the
protagonist faces varying degrees of
conflict with his
wife, her blind friend Robert, and himself. He faces his greatest challenge in trying to overcome his own natural social boundaries and psychological issues. Through the catalyst of recognition that is Robert, the blind man, the
narrator discovers a unique and positive mental revelation.
The narrator is prejudiced cynical and biased but it is only through this viewpoint that the protagonist is illustrated clearly. An omniscient
narration would not have enhanced the conflict as effectively. Through this style of narration the reader also gains a sense of the
prejudice spurned by jealousy that is aimed towards Robert.
It seems that the heart of the conflict surrounds masculine competitiveness rather than simple prejudice. This is enforced in the way in which the narrator feels envious of anybody who has a social relation with his wife. In this way, the narrator could be interpreted as wishing to enforce his testosterone-fuelled position as the alpha
male. He displays many characteristics of typical masculine behaviour; he feels protective towards his wife and associates sexual desire with visual provocation many times. It is actually impossible for the main character to comprehend emotional and physical attachment without sight. This is placed in stark contrast with his wife’s need to feel nurtured and loved.
However, in fact it is feasible to argue that the narrator’s wife causes the majority of the confrontation in the story. The protagonist becomes closer to Robert at precisely the moment when his wife leaves the room. Carver seems to be subtly expressing a message of the disruption and conflict that can arise from a female presence during male socialising. The true revelation lies not simply within the protagonist overcoming his prejudice, but within his discovery of male empathy over male competition.
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