Raymond Carver's Cathedral: Religious Undertones Revealed
Isabella Siniscalchi
ENG 2012
Professor Bentley-Baker
February 25, 2010
Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral”: Religious Undertones Revealed Over 4,000 religions exist in the world today, yet the exact number is unknown. Religion from the root “ligare,” means, “to bind.” To bind into, meaning to connect what is broken. Every day people experience spiritual revelations, some in minute happenings, and others through compelling events. In Raymond Carver’s short story “Cathedral”, it is clear that the narrator experiences an epiphany. However, this epiphany was not just about the ignorant man attaining insight, but a divine realization. In Carver’s “Cathedral” the main character not only experiences an epiphany into keenness, he also awakens to a world of religious insight. There are several indicators that affirm this assertion. First, the title “Cathedral” and symbolism behind using a cathedral instead of any other place or object. The actions and dialogue throughout the story have religious undertones. Lastly, Carver’s previous and succeeding works provide a foundation for the belief that “Cathedral” has religious intendment. The title “Cathedral” in itself predisposes the reader to have some kind of idea that the story will pertain to religion. Before even beginning to read the story, the reader has already entered into the world of religion, faith, and Holiness. A cathedral is a holy place where people gather to worship. This signifies unity, and having faith in something superior and larger than humanity. Carver could have used any other venue or object to serve as the item to be drawn by the characters in his story, and as the title. Besides the lucid use of the title, cathedrals are brought up during the story when the narrator and Robert are watching T.V. This sparks conversation and Robert asks the narrator if he is in any way religious. He responds, “I guess I don’t believe in it. In anything. Sometimes it’s hard. You know what I’m saying?”
ENG 2012
Professor Bentley-Baker
February 25, 2010
Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral”: Religious Undertones Revealed Over 4,000 religions exist in the world today, yet the exact number is unknown. Religion from the root “ligare,” means, “to bind.” To bind into, meaning to connect what is broken. Every day people experience spiritual revelations, some in minute happenings, and others through compelling events. In Raymond Carver’s short story “Cathedral”, it is clear that the narrator experiences an epiphany. However, this epiphany was not just about the ignorant man attaining insight, but a divine realization. In Carver’s “Cathedral” the main character not only experiences an epiphany into keenness, he also awakens to a world of religious insight. There are several indicators that affirm this assertion. First, the title “Cathedral” and symbolism behind using a cathedral instead of any other place or object. The actions and dialogue throughout the story have religious undertones. Lastly, Carver’s previous and succeeding works provide a foundation for the belief that “Cathedral” has religious intendment. The title “Cathedral” in itself predisposes the reader to have some kind of idea that the story will pertain to religion. Before even beginning to read the story, the reader has already entered into the world of religion, faith, and Holiness. A cathedral is a holy place where people gather to worship. This signifies unity, and having faith in something superior and larger than humanity. Carver could have used any other venue or object to serve as the item to be drawn by the characters in his story, and as the title. Besides the lucid use of the title, cathedrals are brought up during the story when the narrator and Robert are watching T.V. This sparks conversation and Robert asks the narrator if he is in any way religious. He responds, “I guess I don’t believe in it. In anything. Sometimes it’s hard. You know what I’m saying?”