The narrator is the most obvious protagonist of the story. He might not be the most likeable character, but he’s the person telling the story, and seems to change the most in that story.

Who is the antagonist in Cathedral?

The antagonist in the story is the blind man, Robert.

How is the protagonist in Raymond Carver's Cathedral an anti hero?

The narrator presents antihero characteristics and is not a hero in the story because he is an ordinary, inglorious man who is extremely jealous and close-minded toward Robert. The narrator had his drink and watched out the window as his wife came out of the car, smiling, with Robert.

Who is the main character or protagonist of the story cathedral?

The protagonist and narrator of Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” is a middle-aged unnamed man. Through interior monologue, the narrator shows himself to be cynical and insensitive, especially to the poetry written by his wife.

Is the narrator a sympathetic protagonist?

The narrator in Cathedral is a sympathetic protagonist. … In the middle of the story, the audience develops further sympathy for the narrator as he is clearly unhappy in life based upon his daily substance abuse.

Who are the characters in Cathedral?

• The Narrator. The narrator is a bit of a bad boy. …
• The Narrator’s Wife. Kindness, sincerity, and openness seem like significant character traits of the narrator’s wife….
• Robert. Robert seems like a great guy, someone who it would be a pleasure to know. …
• Beulah. Beulah is Robert’s late wife. …
• The Officer.

Is Robert a protagonist in the cathedral?

The narrator, the narrator’s wife, Robert The narrator is the most obvious protagonist of the story. He might not be the most likeable character, but he’s the person telling the story, and seems to change the most in that story.

Is the narrator in Cathedral an antihero?

The narrator of “Cathedral” can be seen as an antihero since he lacks the traditional qualities of a hero but is still the protagonist and does change for the better throughout the story. He is not idealistic, particularly kind, or optimistic.

What is the husband's name in Cathedral?

Robert visits the narrator and his wife after his own wife, Beulah, dies. He is a caring, easygoing man who sets even the narrator at ease.

Is the wife a flat or round character?

The three characters of this story were, the blind man, the husband and his wife. The husband is the only dynamic character. His wife is flat and the blind man is static.

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How does the narrator change in Cathedral by Raymond Carver?

The narrator in Raymond Carver ‘s “Cathedral” develops from being a blind to anyone else but himself and his own perspective to able to open his eyes to see life through difference perspective because of the help of blind man.

What is the narrator's attitude toward his wife in Cathedral?

The narrator is extremely focused on his wife throughout the story, and seems grounded in the role of husband. While he doesn’t seem happy in his marriage, he does seem to love and admire his wife. He tells us the intimate details of her life, but he doesn’t tell us anything that would make us not like her.

What is a sympathetic character in a story?

A sympathetic character is a fictional character in a story whom the writer expects the reader to identify with and care about, if not admire. Protagonists, almost by definition, fit into the category of a sympathetic character; so, however, do many supporting characters and even antagonists.

What type of character is Robert in Cathedral?

Robert is an insightful, compassionate man who takes the time to truly listen to others, which helps him to “see” them better than he could with his eyes. Robert and the narrator’s wife have been listening to each other for the past ten years through the audiotapes they send back and forth.

Which character in Cathedral is an archetype?

The narrator is an archetype, which means that people like him can be found almost everywhere.

What is the blind man's name in Cathedral?

The wife introduces the narrator to the blind man, whose name is Robert. They all sit in the living room. The narrator asks what side of the train he sat on, and Robert says he sat on the right and that he hadn’t been on a train for years.

How many characters are in Cathedral?

When I read “Cathedral” a short story by Raymond Carver, it leaves me with many questions as well as lessons. This story mainly encounters behaviors and discussions between the three main characters. The three main characters of the story are the unnamed narrator, his wife and the Robert.

Who is the wife in Cathedral?

Beulah is Robert’s late wife. She recently died of cancer, and her family lives in Connecticut.

Who narrates Cathedral?

The most important character in the short story “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver is the first-person narrator. However, we will also focus on the character of Robert (the blind man), as he is an important part of the plot.

What does the ending of Cathedral mean?

Carver finishes “Cathedral” with a “zero ending,” leaving the narrator with his eyes closed, imagining the cathedral he has just drawn with Robert. … The narrator has not become a new person or achieved any kind of soul-changing enlightenment.

What is your opinion of the narrator of Cathedral?

Even though the narrator of “Cathedral” is not literally blind, he displays a lack of insight and self-awareness that, in many ways, makes even him blinder than Robert. … Far from being a “dear husband,” the narrator is insensitive and arguably has no idea who his wife really is.

Why is the story called Cathedral?

Cathedrals don’t make an appearance in this story until the third section, and then it’s fairly obvious why the story is called “Cathedral.” Cathedrals are the subject of the television documentary and of the narrator and Robert’s drawing. A cathedral is a cathedral is a kind of church.

What does Robert Call the narrator in Cathedral?

In “Cathedral” why does Robert call the narrator “Bub,” and what does this name suggest about the relationship between Robert and the narrator? Robert’s use of the nickname “Bub” emphasizes the difference in their ages. Robert, in his late forties, is probably 10 or more years older than the narrator.

Why is the narrator so hostile to the blind man?

The narrator is so hostile to the idea of a visit from Robert because he is blinded by jealousy, anger, and confusion. The narrator does not address Robert by his full name, he address him “this” blind man instead of a blind man.

What does the narrator think of blind people in Cathedral?

Prejudice In Raymond Carver’s Cathedral From the outset, the narrator acknowledges his prejudice by mentioning that his “idea of blindness came from the movies. In the movies, the blind moved slowly and never laughed” (Carver, 1).

What is a protagonist character?

Full Definition of protagonist 1a(1) : the principal character in a literary work (such as a drama or story) (2) : the leading actor or principal character in a television show, movie, book, etc. b : an active participant in an event. 2 : a leader, proponent, or supporter of a cause : champion.

What type of conflict occurs between the protagonist and the antagonist?

External conflict is a struggle that takes place between the main character and some outside force. Therefore, it is outside the body of the protagonist. Usually, it occurs when the protagonist struggles against the antagonist, a character that opposes the protagonist in the main body of the story.

What is minor character?

Minor characters. These are the other characters in a story. They are not as important as the major characters, but still play a large part in the story. Their actions help drive the story forward. They may impact the decisions the protagonist or antagonist make, either helping or interfering with the conflict.

What is the conflict in Cathedral?

In Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral,” the relationship between the narrator and his wife is one of distanced silence and isolation. This is caused by the narrator’s constant drinking and smoking of marijuana as well as his wife’s responses to feelings of loneliness.

What is the theme in Cathedral?

In “Cathedral,” the act of looking is related to physical vision, but the act of seeing requires a deeper level of engagement. The narrator shows that he is fully capable of looking. He looks at his house and wife, and he looks at Robert when he arrives.

What does the narrator realize by the end of the story cathedral?

At the end of the story, when Robert guides the narrator in drawing the cathedral with his eyes closed, the narrator revels in the strangeness of the experience, and his bewilderment makes this transcendent moment more poignant.