Introduction

‘The Cathedral’ by Raymond Carver is an intriguing story in which the storyteller claims that his wife’s blind acquaintance, a widower may threat the stability of his marriage. The wife has an emotional connection with her blind friend, which leaves the narrator jealous. This essay will carry out an in depth character analysis of the protagonist in the story and underlying reasons the narrator is an antihero throughout the story.

 Character analysis

 The unnamed narrator is not a conservative man because he drinks and smokes. He is more like an antihero. However, whenever, Robert, the blind man comes into picture, the narrator is jealous, ‘This blind man, an old friend of my wife‘s’ (Carver, 1). He goes further to narrate how the blind man conversed with his wife about his trip. In a sheer display of jealousy, the man goes ahead to claim that his wife and the blind man never saw each other for a decade, yet he connects easily with her showing a deeper concern for his wife and a jealous undertone. ‘He was no one I knew’ (Carver, 1) points out plainly the jealousy the blind man aroused in the narrator, it is as if the blind man had the power to replace his role as a husband at any time and there was nothing the blind man could do about it hence he vent his anger to himself and anybody else who cared lend him a listening ear.

Apart from jealousy, the narrator comes across as mean and uncaring about the plight of the blind man. The blind man is a widower and probably had no one to turn to but the narrator’s wife (Carver, 1). However, the husband fails to take into consideration the underlying reasons pushing the blind man toward his wife and decides to judge the man through unexamined opinions. Hence, the narrator comes across as mean and uncaring toward the condition of the blind man. ‘His blindness bothered me,’ is an open statement revealing the meanness of the narrator toward the blind man and his attitude about blind people came from movies rather than from actual personal experiences and interaction with them. Therefore, relating information on blind people with movies only points to lack of sympathy for people living with disability and a sense of detachment from real life issues as he utters , ‘A blind man in my house  was not something I looked forward to’  cements his character as antihero ad stuck in his ways and character.

            Even though some may say the narrator is a dynamic character due to the change he undergoes from the beginning to the end of the short story, his dynamism also reflects his antihero nature. Most, the changes he undergoes are superficial and may fail to turn him into a better man. For instance, he is a flawed individual who does not respect a man who gave his wife a job at a time, he himself could not provide for both of them. His wife worked for the blind man and got money needed to take care of herself. Yet, he seemed more concerned with the poem his wife wrote after the blind man touched her entire face with his fingers. The narrator knows that his significant other usually writes a poem after an important event happens in her life but he is at ease because of the commitment his wife showed him. (Carver, 14. Even when things are going right for them, he is always looking behind his shoulders to see if anything might arise and jeopardize his relationship. In fact, he dives into her wife’s romantic relationships before he came into the picture.

 In addition, the characterization forces the narrator into a detached role in his own life. He seems to consider himself first which makes him selfish and in control. The drug and alcohol overindulgence are some of the ways that bring out his selfish character and need to be in control. Even though he displays honesty, he fails to show his bitterness and selfishness toward Robert due to the strong relationship he fostered with his wife (Bethea, 92). While narrating how the blind man touched his wife’s face, he admits to sexual intimidation. Through his words, one can tell he did not approve of the blind man touching her face.

 The narrator is too judgmental of other peoples’ lives and opinions. The writer can criticize other peoples’ actions but cannot turn the same eyes on himself or allow other people confront him for his mistakes (Clark 78). More so, he is antisocial, watches television the entire night while drank and intoxicated. When Robert arrives, the narrator admits that he enjoys his company and even admires the conversations Robert has with his wife.

 In summary, the narrator is an antihero whose character shows jealousy and to some extent bitterness toward people. Through his tone and choice of words, the narrator does not like the idea of a blind man coming into his house. The man brings out his selfish nature when he narrates how the blind man touched the face of his wife. Hence, his overall character is that of an antihero.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Carver, R., 2015. Cathedral. Vintage.

Clark, Robert C. "Keeping the Reader in the House: American Minimalism, Literary Impressionism, and Raymond Carver's “Cathedral”." jml: Journal of Modern Literature 36.1 (2012): 104-118.

Bethea, Arthur F. Technique and sensibility in the fiction and poetry of Raymond Carver. Routledge, 2013.