Cathedral Analysis
In the short story “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver, the main character, Bub is blinded by his biased view of people and cultures that he does not understand, and the insecurity of his marriage. ... Bub’s sadistic analysis of what Beulah must have endured throughout the course of her marriage to Robert is further indication of Bub’s jealousy of Robert. ... As Bub begins to describe cathedrals, he realizes that his feeble explanations are not nearly enough to truly bring to life the magnificence of a cathedral. Something within Bub really wants Robert to be able to comprehend what he cannot explain about the cathedral with words. ... When Robert requests that Bub draw a cathedral for him, Bub’s epiphany begins to overtake him. Bub draws the cathedral, his hand enclosed in Robert’s so that Robert can feel the lines that Bub is drawing, and transfer the drawing into his mind. ... The drawing of the cathedral becomes a symbol of Bub’s re-birth as a human being with a sensitive soul and an open mind. ... The narrator’s revelation is brought about by the experience of drawing the cathedral with Robert.