What is a Cathedral?

As I began to read this story, I developed a dislike for the narrator. He spoke frankly about his wife and her old summer employer with whom she kept in touch for ten years. He did not like the fact that he did not really know them man and seriously disliked the fact that he was blind.

I’m a very tolerant person; I enjoy expanding my horizons and meeting new people. It was one of the reasons I wanted to move away from home. The fact that the narrator was so honestly judgmental about a man he has never met irked me throughout the story. Worse yet, he did not even trust his own wife’s good opinion; there must be a reason that they were such good friends even after not “seeing” each other for ten years. I know that if my close friends have someone they want me to meet, I’ll most likely enjoy their company.

I think I laughed when I read the first couple of paragraphs because the basis of his discrimination originates from the movies. He believes that “the blind moved slowly and never laughed” which is clearly not true. It was almost a poking at today’s society; we are told so many false statements that it’s hard to distinguish between the good and band information. We rely so heavily on technology instead of going outside and experiencing the world for ourselves.

The beauty of Robert—the blind man—is that he can actually see the world much clearer than the husband can. For instance, the narrator hears that Robert’s wife was named Beulah and exclaims that she must be negro. In truth, the color of the skin should not matter at all; Robert is able to be shielded from the prejudices of sight. He can judge people based on how they act, not simply how they look. The narrator is unable to “see” the personality behind people. One can only conclude that is why he does not have any friends.

I found Robert absolutely endearing. He accepts that every day is a new day—it’s worth it to go ahead and learn something new. In turn, he teaches Robert something—he can learn how to see without looking. The namesake of the story—“Cathedral”—is really not relevant at all. I mean, Robert learns what a cathedral looks like, but I don’t think the name fits the story as well as something… else. I’m not really sure what I would name it, but “Cathedral” is just misleading.

I love that Robert knows that this is entirely different for the husband. While tracing his drawing of the cathedral, he states that it’s okay. He knows that he “didn’t think [he] could… but [he] can.” Robert believes the husband can change—that trust in his transformation actually brings about the change in the narrator and overall makes me like the story so much more.

The last few lines are sweet. Instead of opening his eyes to see his creation, he keeps them closed and takes in his surroundings. He knows he’s home. And he knows he did well. That’s all that matters.