The narrator revalues his suspect thoughts about the disturbed relationship, and his ultimate private transformation provides way to the foreshadowing of a deep epiphany surrounding the whole tale. Insecurity is giving way to his wife’s disturbing relationship. The narrator exudes jealousy over the connection between his spouse and the blind man throughout the tale. His wife provides him an ultimatum for the blind man’s recognition, saying that if her husband loves her he will do this for me. It’s here that the reader can see other instances of the figurative blindness that the narrator is suffering from because of his understanding of the connection between the two that appears to stem from his own disturbing relationship with his spouse. The story’s introduction describes the connection between the spouse of the narrator and the blind man, explaining how it has developed to its current status. While there are many undertones about other things he is unaware of, the particular subject of consciousness of personality is the primary idea of the plot of the story, eventually becoming a strong theme. “A blind man in my house was not something I looked forward to.” These statements sum up his entire attitude towards Robert (the houseguest) and other blind individuals in particular at the beginning of the tale, giving the narrator an immediate impression of who the narrator is and even what he may be. They were sometimes resulted by dogs seeing-eye. The blind moved slowly in the films and never laughed. My blindness concept originated from the films. His absence of understanding concerning the disability of the visitor is undeniable, but he makes it very clear that he is conscious of this ignorance, saying he was not passionate about his visit. The reason for this powerful and positive impact is not so much the connection between the blind person and the narrator, or even the real events leading up to this experience.Īt the very start of the tale, the narrator’s declaration describes his own absence of understanding about physical blindness. This short experience will have a long-lasting impact on him. Although as is known, the experience of the narrator varies radically from what is truly ‘observed.’ He is illuminated and open to a fresh globe of vision and imagination. Although nothing else occurs in the tale from an observational point of perspective, a blind man helps the narrator draw a cathedral. ‘Cathedral’ is a short story about enlightenment, discovering in oneself something more meaningful and deeper.

Cathedral story by raymond carver