Raymond Chandler's Cathedral

Cathedral is a well crafted short story written in first person. The author, Raymond Chandler used an unnamed narrator in this iconic piece which engages the reader intimately. It checks all the boxes that were presented within this course, plot, character, scene-setting, dialogue, conflict. It is not surprising how well this short story is crafted in consideration that Carver is a Pulitzer Prize nominated author. (Biography Raymond Carver).
The plot of Cathedral is complex, which encompasses the struggles of three disconnected souls. Each struggling for connection, purpose and understanding. I had to reread the story several times to grasp this concept. The plot has spiritual undertones, hence the title and subject matter of cathedral. Each …show more content…
We learned within class the importance of transforming and creating more three-dimensional characters. Carver’s narrator was initially oblivious, or even blind to the world around him and the needs of his wife. As his character gains more appreciation and insight his character showed redeeming qualities of compassion and understanding.
The dialogue in Cathedral also transcended through this story. We were taught in class, that the dialogue should drive the story. Here Carver does just that. Originally the narrator was very crude, insensitive and curt, (Ex: “Maybe I could take him bowling” the narrator sarcastically said. The wife’s agitated angry response was, “Goddamn it, his wife’s just died!”) The dialogue moved quick and was abrupt. Towards the end of the story as the characters, especially as the narrator discovered new insight the dialogue mellowed and was more soothing. As outlined in our reading, Cathedral’s plot conflict is man versus self. The narrator, is insecure and struggles to communicate with his wife. Seemly only knowing her superficially. He harbours feeling of jealously over her previous marriage and the obvious intimacy between the blindman and her