Cathedral: A New Perspective

 I have read this story a few times now and it is always an interesting experience. The main character/narrator goes through a very unique change throughout the course of this short story. In the beginning he is a very unlikeable narrator, and just blatantly rude. Robert’s charisma makes the narrator seem even worse because he brushes off the narrator’s comments and attitude like it is nothing. Robert doesn’t really acknowledge the narrator’s disrespect, which as a reader makes me dislike the narrator even more. However, once the narrator's wife falls asleep him and Robert start to bond. The bonding experience of drawing a cathedral together while neither of them can see is a strangely beautiful scene. It is a very unique experience and seems to have a large impact on the narrator. Through this act of drawing together and creating something the narrator is developing respect for Robert as well as a small glimpse into what life is like for him. 

 

Another interesting thing in this story is the relationship between the narrator's wife and Robert. It seems to be a very close relationship that the wife cherishes, and she seems to hold a lot of love and respect towards Robert. Their relationship has lasted decades and has outlasted their romantic relationships. But the husband does not see Robert as a threat to his relationship because of Robert’s disability. I find this short story very intriguing because of the interworking relationships and the narrator’s character development.