Salvation in the “Cathedral” Short Story by Carver

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Cathedral As a Modern Allegory
Importance of Art in Community Transformation
The Feeling of Isolation and Sense of Belonging
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Written from the first-person perspective, Cathedral is a story featuring Robert, who is blind, the narrator, and his wife as the main characters. While depicting a structure, Carver (p. 23) uses art to symbolize human ambiguities and expounds on the inability of individuals to understand their limitations. As such, it is ironic that even though the narrator has eyes and dislikes blindness, he is unable to see inabilities; hence it has prevented him from progressing in life. Additionally, the Cathedral is synonymous with a place of refuge where people seek redress for both spiritual mistakes and earthly needs. Furthermore, the story gives a symbol of unity where people come together. Cathedral is a modern allegory that explores human perception from physical and visional sights through art that transforms someone by learning from a vast social setting where people feel isolated but discover sense of belonging.

Cathedral As a Modern Allegory

The author depicts a picture of a cathedral to show that looking is an act that involves the physical activity of vision, while seeing entails a deep understanding of what is perceived through sight. In the story, the narrator describes Robert as blind and boasts of his eyesight as he describes his wife and their visitor when they arrive. The husband is surprised that a blind man has a beard when his wife arrives home with Robert from the depot. In addition, he despises Robert by saying, “he was left with a twenty-peso Mexican coin” (Carver 215). The narrator’s sight clouds his judgment as he is unable to understand anything beyond physical appearance. Hence, he cannot make his wife happy. Moreover, from the welcome and the talk between the visitor and his wife, it is evident that Robert is understanding and knows the narrator’s wife better than the husband. The author uses art to show the susceptibility and vulnerability of people when alone. Through the conversations, Robert realizes that the narrator does not understand himself due to his solitude. Although his host does not welcome him warmly when he arrives in his home, toward the end, they begin to enjoy their company. The narrator dismisses the cathedral by saying that it is not special to him but something he watches on TV (Carver 124). However, it is ironic because he is concerned and affected and hence tries to retreat to his persona. Perhaps this becomes an eye-opener to him on the uniting factor associated with the structure. Consequently, the Cathedral signifies the awakening of individuals to realize their inabilities and seek solace. In addition, it can be likened to a place of salvation for people through personal conviction and a deep understanding of the meaning of the physical structure.

Importance of Art in Community Transformation

There are many factions in human life that show a wide array of the definition of life, which is vast. The narrator defined life from a unique perspective about spirituality, human capability, and personal desires. At one point, he does not credit any religious affiliation and views Robert as a person who may not understand what a cathedral is from his unwilling description in a drawing. Additionally, the Cathedral has a central image signifying it as a uniting place in the community, as emphasized by Robert. Moreover, he is not concerned with the size, but he is interested in its existence that has been there for generations. This is highlighted when he requests the narrator to draw the Cathedral and instructs him by saying, “put some people…what is a cathedral without people?” (Carver 227). Therefore, it shows that Robert is not just talking but is trying to inform the narrator of the power of faith in something great. The narrator prays but does not believe in Christianity, which shows how he has isolated himself from social ties due to his beliefs. His joking tone about religion probes Robert to enquire if the narrator is religious when he asks, “are you in any way religious?” (Carver 225). Furthermore, the experience resulting from the encounter between the two gentlemen symbolizes a religious ritual where a blind man leads a sighted individual from self-imposed ignorance to reality. This is confounded by the fact that Robert is dumbfounded by how the narrator cannot explain fluently what he sees, but he encourages him to try. That can be related to the gentleness of a confessor and priest who listens keenly and offers spiritual advice to an individual.

The Feeling of Isolation and Sense of Belonging

The author discovers that he belongs to the category of people who are ignorant. Little did Carver know that a united society can change the perceptual context of an issue in daily life. However, this should not be used as an indicator of the author’s worldview on the inherent power resulting from unity. Zuba (p. 148) asserts that Carver’s Cathedral is a turning point in his storytelling where the author has redeemed his literary career by using simple ornate structure to pass an important lesson. Therefore, the popularity of the narrative is derived from the imagination that favours logical development. As a result, “Carver serves as an enhanced modern literary career example…” (Zuba 148). The reason is that the author discovers there is optimism in people who are introverts or selfish in beliefs, and that can be realized when one discovers his sense of belonging, as seen in Robert and the narrator’s case, where both had staunch principles that combined to produce a change for the two. Moreover, through Robert, the Cathedral is seen as a place where the workers rarely complete their work. Hence, they become disillusioned. This is highlighted by the narrator, who says “I was in my house…didn’t feel being inside…” (Carver 227). Therefore, he is neither isolated nor trapped, but he feels isolated as a reminder to reckon the presence of greater power.

Conclusion

Carver uses Cathedral to show that people are not perfect as they presume. On this matter, those who have eyes cannot see, while their blind counterparts can understand various concepts even though they are challenged. The story symbolizes the inability of individuals to understand their limitations. Further, it signifies a uniting place where people meet hence bringing the community together. In addition, the Cathedral is a structure of refuge and solace as individuals seek redress for their mistakes. Through the use of allegory, the author shows that a simple structure can represent hope and salvation. Moreover, the author uses art to show the significance and importance of faith. Lastly, the author advocates for communion amidst challenges such as daily failures and isolation that are experienced often.

Works Cited

Carver, Raymond. Cathedral. Vintage Contemporaries Edition, 1983.

Zuba, Jesse. “Raymond Carver and the Modern Career Imaginary.” Journal of Modern Literature, vol. 44, no. 1, 2020, p. 148., Web.

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Salvation in the “Cathedral” Short Story by Carver

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