Raymond Carver – Cathedral, Literature essay

Final Essay Instructions

For this assignment, you will expand on the work you did in the Writing Lab. Your essay must be written in APA style, include a title page and a references page, and be at least 1000 words (not counting the title or references pages). You may download and use the template below to assist you in formatting your essay.

Paragraph Requirements and Suggested Length

Introduction (150200 words)

• Begin with a brief introduction to the story.
• End with a clear thesis statement that uses the template below.
• [Authors] portrayal of [character name] and [setting/historical context OR symbolism] in [story title] show how literature [reason for studying literature].
• Examples:
• Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Charlie Wales and setting/historical context in “Babylon Revisited” show how literature allows us to see history.
• Walker’s portrayal of Dee/Wangero and use of symbols in “Everyday Use” show how literature helps us to understand issues of identity and power.

Body Paragraph 1 Characters (200250 words)

• Expand and revise the paragraph you wrote in the Writing Lab about characters.
• Include at least one direct quote from the story.
• Integrate the quote smoothly and cite it correctly in APA style.
• Explain how the quote supports your point about the character(s).

Body Paragraph 2 Setting/Historical Context or Symbolism (200250 words)

• Expand and revise the paragraph you wrote in the Writing Lab about either setting/historical context or symbolism (depending on the prompt you selected).
• Include at least one direct quote from the story.
• Integrate the quote smoothly and cite it correctly in APA style.
• Explain how this evidence supports your interpretation.

Body Paragraph 3 Connection to Reason for Studying Literature (200250 words)

• Write a new paragraph connecting the story to one of the four reasons for studying literature we discussed in class.
• You may revise one of your Chat with the Author assignments or one of your responses in the weekly discussion if it works with your essay, but it must show substantial revision.
• Include at least one direct quote from the story, correctly integrated and cited.
• Explain how this evidence connects the story to the larger reason for studying literature.

Conclusion (150200 words)

• Summarize your main points.
• Restate your thesis in a fresh way.
• End with a closing thought about why this story matters.

Revision Reflection (Final Separate Paragraph, 100150 words)

• Write a short paragraph explaining your revision process.
• Include at least one example of what you changed from your Writing Lab draft, why you made those changes, and how they improved your essay.

Formatting Requirements and Submission Instructions

• Title page and references page in APA style
• Double-spaced, easily readable font
• Each body paragraph must include at least one correctly integrated and cited direct quote
• Your essay must be uploaded as an attached Microsoft Word or PDF file (see instructions ). Do not paste your work into the box below; you must upload a file.

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Here is what I already have, write base on these ideals:

Brainstorming (100150 words)

Raymond Carvers Cathedral strongly connects to the idea that literature helps us understand people who are different from us. At the beginning of the story, the narrator feels uncomfortable and even threatened by Robert because he is blind. His understanding of blindness comes from stereotypes rather than real experience, which causes him to judge Robert unfairly. As the story develops, however, the narrator is forced to confront his assumptions through direct interaction. The act of drawing the cathedral together allows the narrator to experience the world from Roberts perspective instead of relying on visual judgments. Through this moment, the narrator begins to realize that understanding does not depend only on sight, but on openness, patience, and shared experience. The story shows how literature can challenge our prejudices and help us develop empathy for people whose lives and experiences are very different from our own.

Paragraph 1: Character and Characterization (150200 words)

Raymond Carvers portrayal of the narrator in Cathedral shows how literature helps us understand those who are unlike us by illustrating that the character is dynamic as he responds to his encounter with Robert. At the beginning of the story, the narrator is narrow-minded and uncomfortable around the blind man, admitting that his ideas about blindness come from movies rather than real knowledge. He feels jealous of Roberts emotional connection with his wife and views him as an intrusion rather than a person. However, as the evening progresses, the narrators attitude slowly shifts. Through conversation, shared drinking, and especially the cathedral-drawing scene, he begins to engage with Robert on a human level. When the narrator closes his eyes while drawing, he symbolically places himself in Roberts position, experiencing the world without sight. This moment marks a turning point in his character, as he feels a sense of connection and understanding he has never felt before. By the end of the story, the narrator is no longer dismissive or hostile but open to a new way of seeing others, demonstrating meaningful personal growth.

Paragraph 2: Symbols (150200 words)

Raymond Carvers use of the cathedral drawing in Cathedral shows how literature helps us understand those who are unlike us by emphasizing the importance of shared experience in building connection and understanding. The cathedral itself represents something complex and difficult to explain using words alone, especially to someone who cannot see. When the narrator struggles to describe a cathedral verbally, he realizes the limits of his own understanding. The act of drawing together becomes a symbolic bridge between him and Robert, allowing communication beyond sight or language. As Robert guides the narrators hand and asks him to close his eyes, the narrator is forced to rely on feeling rather than vision, mirroring Roberts everyday experience. This shared act transforms the cathedral from a distant, meaningless object into a moment of deep human connection. The symbol suggests that true understanding comes not from observation or assumptions, but from empathy and participation. Through the cathedral drawing, the story demonstrates how people can overcome differences by engaging openly with one another.