Premium Essay

Reflections: "Cathedral"

In: English and Literature

Submitted By cmmorrison3279
Words 1151
Pages 5
Running head: READING REFLECTIONS
Reading Reflections: “Cathedral”
Crystal Monique Morrison
ENG 125
Professor Brad Waltman
October 22, 2012

Themes in literature are not as easy to identify as one may think. From reading into the work, it is not always the most easy of the work to come across. Many times the author may have a theme in mind that is not what you, as the reader may think. When reading critically to search for what is to be found in literature, you must use personal experience, critical thinking, and symbolism. Themes of literature are abstract and include subtle hints to draw the reader’s imagination to work its hardest at times. In the short story, Cathedrals, written by Raymond Carver, the theme is not as subtle as it may seem but to the shallow minded, it is very hard to identify. Looking at the world and people through a deeper level of seeing, not through physical attributes or stereotypical definitions to relate and understand is the theme that I found from this work. The theme I identified with in this story was not so subtle but it was not a very easy one to distinguish and to put in to words. As I read the story, I began to see how the narrator felt about blind people. In many ways, because he did not truly understand or was familiar with a person that was blind, was ignorant to many things. The narrator’s idea or impression of the blind man was that of the stereotypical picture that society had provisioned. He saw the man as wearing, dark glasses, walking with a cane and a seeing-eye- dog. Upon the contrary that was the case. As the narrator began to spend time with the man, he became not so uncomfortable in his presence. Even though, still ignorant to much about him, he was learning that not all blind people fit the description. He came to find out that the blind man was very intelligent, very outgoing, creative, and independent.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Asdasd

...Chapter 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND Introduction This research project serves as culmination to the problem involving the restoration of the Basilica. It seeks to summarize, explain and synthesize several highlights of the topic in dialogue with the assigned texts and other readings; it will force additional research and reflections as an instrument for clarifying, defining and augmenting the author’s understanding of the major issues addressed by the proposal. The scope of the study embraces a solution that will lead the restoration of the Basilica to realities and treat the problems involving its reestablishment. Being a national heritage and considered to be one of the first Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines, it is our objective to restore a historical edifice and preserve its cultural legacy and customs. On October 15, 2013, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook Bohol at approximately 8:00 in the morning. It caused millions of worth of casualties, hundreds of families devastated, destroyed numerous properties and damaged many historical landmarks and churches, including the Basilica de Sto. Nino. The earthquake crushed most of the belfry and façade; walls and frescoes are cracked, leaving the church in verge of total wreckage. To prevent an entire loss, propositions involving the repair and rebuilding of the damaged areas are to be provided as well as redesigning of the structure’s stability will furnish its constancy to be able to withstand future disastrous...

Words: 10393 - Pages: 42

Free Essay

Sample Memo

...The spaces, while sacred are also violated numerous times and in some instances by the people who have held them sacred. In the beginning of the movie we see Romero in the church full of people celebrating his promotion to Archbishop, specifically the president elect, and some from the military. Later we see the same people turning on the Church and blaming it for the deaths and turmoil. Additionally, the occupation of the church by the National Guard is an excellent example of a violation of the sacred space. The National Guard repeatedly demonstrates their disrespect for the Church as the movie progresses by overtaking the church building and utilizing the space as a barracks. They desecrate the tabernacle and use force against Romero. Finally, we see the ultimate violation of the sacred space when Romero is murdered while celebrating the eucharist inside his church. With all of the hate and anger in the community, the congregation’s members and clergy remain strong and repeatedly join together to reclaim their church and re-establish the sacredness. Romero is the best example of the reclamation with his continued insistence to enter the church and celebrate the eucharist after the oppression of the National Guard. His success comes when the people of his congregation (the members of the community) join with him. The show of faith and belief leaves a lasting impact on the military and they allow Romero and the people to pass without further harm. Romero leads the congregation...

Words: 281 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Cathedral

...Cathedral It is an ongoing problem that people are narrow-minded and have preconceptions. It does no one good and is an obstacle in your everyday life. By closing your eyes, the other senses, like feeling, hearing and smelling, tune in and take over. A lot can be learned from these senses and new truths can be unrevealed. In the short story Cathedral, the main character stops his prejudices and sees a new truth. The short story Cathedral takes place in the 1990s in a married couple’s house in New York, America. The narrator of the story is the husband. The short story is told as from a first persons point of view. The narrator introduces both his wife and their guest, the blind man. The only information we get about the husband comes from his actions and thoughts. They let us know how he thinks a blind man should act “My idea of blindness came from the movies. In the movies, the blind man moved slowly and never laughed. Sometimes they were led by seeing-eye dogs.” From these thoughts we learn about the narrator’s prejudice and preconceptions. The husband has a lack of sympathy for their guest who is blind and has lost his wife. Through most of the story, the narrator refers to Robert as “the blind man”. This indicates that the narrator don’t see him as a normal human being, but only as a disabled man. Robert, the blind man, is in his late 40s. He is muscular, bald, has a beard and is spiffy. To much regret for the husband, Robert doesn’t wear sunglasses “But he didn’t use...

Words: 691 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Rebel with a Cause

...direction of what you want to see and the image instantaneously appears. The inner, invisible, intangible characteristics require more than receptors and neurons to visualize. Thought and personal investment are required in the visualization of the intangible. In “Cathedral”, Raymond Carver suggests blindness is often an affliction of the heart and soul and not the eyes. Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” is a short story about a husband’s journey to enlightenment. A longtime friend of the wife comes to visit after the death of his wife. The wife meets the blind man, Robert, ten years prior while looking for a summer job. She becomes his assistant. The wife reads briefs, reports, and helps organize the blind man’s office. Over the years the wife and blind man keep in touch; corresponding by sending audio tapes through the mail (Carver). The visit from the blind man is not something the husband is excited about. He remains disconnected from the conversation most of the evening. When the wife falls to sleep, the husband is forced to engage with the blind man. With the persistence of the blind man, the husband engages in a conversation about cathedrals. It is through the process of describing the cathedrals to the blind man that the life of the...

Words: 1285 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Inside the Cathedral

...Inside The Cathedral In the short story “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver, Carver touches on a personal experience. Carver and his wife were going to have a house guest, a man that his wife had worked with ten years ago over the summer in Seattle. Carver’s wife had stayed in touch with this man, Robert, over the years. The visit was bittersweet, though Robert was going to be reunited with a long-time friend; it was under the conditions that his wife had passed way. He’d come to Connecticut to visit his late-wife’s family and stay with the Carvers. There was one catch, however. Robert was completely blind and this made Raymond carver extremely uneasy, saying that “a wink and a nod are the same to a blind man.” Raymond’s taking on the situation; catering to a blind man; was very socially ignorant. Admittedly so, he said “My idea of blindness came from the movies. In the movies, the blind moved slowly and never laughed. Sometimes they were led by seeing-eye dogs. A blind man in my house was not something I looked forward to.” (Carver, lines :_). Raymond also offered to take the “blind man” bowling, which is truly a sad, if not just cynical image to bear. Raymond’s wife was extremely nervous to be accommodating to the Robert as well, but it was an excitable nervousness. She longed to be reunited with him, to share stories and catch up, but this was also a man her husband had never met; she could sense the tinge of jealousy and irritation in the air around her husband. She was...

Words: 617 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

No Title

...Geronimo, Ronich Eleanor M. BSTM 3B Environmental Conservation PAMARAWAN We had an orientation last March 12, Tuesday on our supposed time for our subject Tourism Impacts and Sustainability to discuss about Mangrove Planting. This activity was held on Pamarawan Island which is still part of City of Malolos. They also let us know about the call time and venue for meet up before going to the terminal. The call time is 5:30 in the morning in Malolos Cathedral, but because I already know how to go there and it is along the way, I asked if it is okay not to go to Malolos Cathedral. It’s better for me not to, because it would be hassle for me and also to save time. Unexpectedly, our section 3B is not yet on the Cathedral. Though they are also late, I didn’t make it to arrive on time and reach them. When they drifted, that’s the time I already came and I had reach nothing but the other community from Pamarawan. So they left me but they advised me to ride a boat separately. I have no choice but to wait for the boat to fill the other passengers to reach 20. While I’m waiting, I’ve seen another Student from Tourism riding a tricycle. When I saw him, I started smiling and it makes me to cheer up, because I have a companion on being late. I talk to him immediately for me not to feel bored and uncomfortable. He’s easy to get along with and I enjoyed talking to him, it helps me not to feel that it has a long trip. By the way, he’s a student from BSTM 1-C but I forgot his name. We...

Words: 714 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Reflection Essay

...of communication amongst the health care professionals and how a good nursing documentation is an integral part of nursing. It will also demonstrate how reflection enabled me to make sense of and learn from this experience, as well as identify any further learning developments needed to improve my practice and achieve the level of competency needed for when I qualify as an assistant practitioner. While discussing the knowledge underpinning practice, evidence based literature will be reviewed to support my discussion and for the purpose of reflection the essay will be written in the first person. Spouse, J, et al (2008). Jonhs, C (2009) defined reflection as learning through our every day experiences, towards realising one’s vision of desirable practice as a lived reality. He also added that it is a critical and a flexible process of self inquiry and transformation of being and becoming the practitioner you desire to be. However, Ghaye, T et al. (2000) stated that for the health care professionals to develop a more reflective posture, they must fully embrace both the principles and the practices of reflection. It is about becoming more aware of how we learn and how this affects what we think, feel and do. There are different models for reflection; some are more complex and detailed than others. To help me with my reflection, I have chosen Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle as a guide: The names of the patient, staff members and health care setting will be changed to protect...

Words: 1624 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Pdf Folder

...Learning through reflection 2 Reflection is an active process whereby the professional can gain an understanding of how historical, social, cultural and personal experiences have contributed to professional knowledge and practice (Wilkinson, 1996). Duffy (2007) believes that reflective practice is an active deliberate process of critically examining practice where an individual is challenged and enabled to undertake the process of self-enquiry to empower the practitioner to realize desirable and effective practice within a reflexive spiral of personal transformation. Learning is derived from experience but it doesn’t just happen. For it to take place you not only need to engage in reflection you must also record it. By thinking about what you are doing and why you are doing it is what turns your experiences into meaningful learning. If you are to become a reflective practitioner you have to use that learning to increase your professional knowledge and skills to the benefit of not only yourself but also to your patients / clients. Why Reflect Reflection is really a process that begins with looking back on a situation, pondering over it, learning from it and then using the new knowledge to help you in future similar situations. Reflection, which is learning through experience, is not a new concept. As humans, we naturally reflect on our surroundings and experiences. However, the conscious, deliberate and ordered process of using reflection as a learning tool...

Words: 1432 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Third Reflection Paper

...GE 2218 Third Reflection Paper “Write your own script for your play” this is the most impressing point I have learnt form Mr. Ki ‘ s success on his career, which is also the major principle for his career management. In this talk, Mr. Ki shed light on the meaning of success from different perspectives and dimensions. I can tell from his career that he is satisfied with what he did in the past and what he is doing now. There are two essential factors I can draw from his experience, reinvent your career and refine your life. For the points that he raised in this talk, I quite endorsed his unique perception on career that it is divided into three phases. “ Work for success”, “ work for significance” and “ work for legacy”. Apart from myself, I guess most of the people value ones’ success by wealth and positions. Mr. Ki , however, adds to that life structure, purpose, identity and significance. Exemplified by Mr. Ki ‘s career, he retreated from his respected working position just at the prime of his career simply because he wanted to do something meaningful, not only to his life but also to the whole society. So he transfers his prowess to help and engage in social enterprise project. Reinventing one’s career is equally important in a sense that it helps put your career into perspective, and achieve a balance of life, just like what Mr. Ki mentioned, the second career, the parallel career and the social career. Besides, always reflect on you experience as well as have a full...

Words: 398 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Reflection on Mentorship Practice

...Examples of Reflective Writing Example 1 I arrived on the ward at 7:30 ready to begin a 12-hour shift. After receiving handover, my mentor assigned me the job of bathing Mr B with the help of a healthcare assistant. Mr B has Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a progressive disease of the nervous system with rapid deterioration due to spongiform encephalopathy. He is not expected to live to Christmas, even though he is only 19 years old. He is mentally aware of what is going on but is physically unable to demonstrate activities of daily living, including eating and drinking, has limited communication skills and is doubly incontinent. He is unsafe on his feet so mobilises with a wheelchair. I approached Mr B’s bed and asked his consent to take him for a bath. While the bath was running we began helping him to undress. He looked rather nervous. At the thought of myself being in his position, being the same age as him, I began to feel embarrassed too. I thought that I could not possibly be a professional individual if I let my embarrassment and sympathy get in the way of my nursing care. We assisted Mr B into the bath and started his wash. I knew he was uncomfortable and wanted to be able to wash himself, but was unable to do so. I was finding it difficult to look him in the eye, especially when it came to washing his genitalia. I tried to ease this by making conversation, but in a way this made matters worse. After the bath we dried Mr B, dressed him and returned him...

Words: 1848 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Gen 201

...------------------------------------------------- University of Phoenix Material Academic Success Answer each question below in at least 75 words per question, reflecting on your current abilities, and identify resources to strengthen your skills. Refer to the videos, readings, and other weekly assignments to help you compose your answers. Question | Your reflection | How would you define academic readiness? | I would define academic readiness as your own understanding of your study. Also what your own goals are and what your plans are to obtain them. As well as what your self discipline is | What concerns, if any, do you have with academic writing and reading? | My concerns mostly is the writing part of it all. I love to read, I just have a hard time putting things on paper. But. I know I will learn through all these exercise | What two university resources will you use to strengthen your writing and reading skills (refer to your Student Resources Worksheet)? | I believe the two resources that will best benefit me will be writepoint and guides. | What is your personal learning style (refer to the Ch. 1 Aplia homework)? | My personal learning style is like more hands on mode3. | What are two obstacles you might need to overcome (refer to your Life Factors and personality assessments)? | One of my biggest obstacle is time management. Plus another would be financial. | What strategies can you use to overcome these obstacles and be successful? | One strategy would...

Words: 413 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Personal Reflection

...Date: 27th October, 2014 Title: Morrisons breaks pledge on low prices Link: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Retail_and_leisure/article1475669.ece The ethical issue was related to credibility of a company. It was about Morrisons the supermarket increased prices of some products marked with “I’m cheaper” sign after promising to cut prices permanently on over 1000 goods six months ago. The supermarket claimed the rise in prices was only a reflection of “commodity inflation” and still “lower than they would have been” without the “I’m Cheaper”cuts. No doubt by increasing the price of goods, the supermarket could compensate the losses from the inflation in supply costs. This do help to maintain profitability of the supermarket and strengthen the confidence of its investors. Also, even though the prices had been raised, they were still lower than the general prices of these goods. The promise of enduring price cut was kept. It was a win-win situation in the eyes of Morrisons. One of the problems arose in this issue was the reputation of Morrisons towards the customers was deeply affected. Although action of increasing the prices due to inflation was justifiable, Morrisons still broke part of its vow of long-lasting price cut. A credibility gap between Morrisons and customers might have been develop as a result. Moreover, the intention of the supermarket was to maintain its profitability while the issue of the news had leaded to a fall in its share price of 0.46...

Words: 273 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Eportfolio Help Guide

................................................................................................ 2 POSTING INSTRUCTOR FEEDBACK TO MY ITEMS (INCLUDING DOCUMENTING YOUR REACTIONS AND FUTURE PLANS BASED ON THE FEEDBACK IN THE ARTIFACT DESCRIPTION FIELD) ............................................................... 4 ACCESSING AND RENAMING THE PRESENTATION TEMPLATE ................................................................................ 7 ADDING ITEMS (ARTIFACTS OR REFLECTIONS) TO MY PRESENTATION................................................................. 11 REORDERING ITEMS (ARTIFACTS OR REFLECTIONS) IN MY PRESENTATION ......................................................... 14 HOW DO I UPLOAD A FILE TO MY ITEMS AREA? .................................................................................................. 17 HOW DO I CREATE A REFLECTION? ...................................................................................................................... 21 ASSOCIATING ITEMS WITH A REFLECTION ........................................................................................................... 23 HOW DO I SUBMIT MY EPORTFOLIO PRESENTATION TO THE DROPBOX? ............................................................ 25 HOW DO I ADD A VIDEO TO YOU TUBE (WITH PRIVATE OR UNLISTED OPTION) .................................................. 30 A QUICK WAY TO FIND THE EMBED CODE FOR YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK, ETC...........................................................

Words: 3431 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Case Study

...Team Leader and Member Report PSYC305 Week: 2 Team Assignment: 2 Anais Ortega | Team member Name: Javon Pablo | Team Leader’s Name: Please answer the questions below, having reflected on your experiences in the team work this week. Please provide examples to back up your claims. A. Rate your team leader and make a short comment that describes what the leader did or did not do, on the four leadership functions below, that makes you give that appraisal. 5- Good, 4-Satisfactory, 2-Could have been better, 1- Poor. Note absence of Rating 3. | Four leadership functions | Rating | Supporting comments | Quality of planning of the week’s team assignment | 5 | Javon was organized and planned out this week’s assignment well. | Communication with members and professor | 5 | Communication was open and clear. | Guidance provided to team members | 5 | Guidance was given and always responded back in a well timely matter. | Timely feedback and posting of final team product | 5 | Feedback was open and given. As well as tips and advice. | | B. If you are the Team Leader, comment in A. above and on the following: | What did you do in order to motivate your team’s contribution? | What would you try again? What would you never try again? | What did you do in order to motivate your team’s contribution? | | C. Write a short comment that describes your team members and team work during this...

Words: 295 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Business

...Topic: Perception Perception is the process by which individuals select, organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give the meaning to their environment. Concept #1 – Factors influencing perception The perceiver are the commuters that were affected by the breakdown of the NEL train service. Some of the commuters felt that the breakdown on 15th March was well handled by SBS while others felt that it was poorly handled. SBS was able to provide a more efficient announcement service as commuters were told in advance. They also provided free bus services at affected MRT stations in addition to the free shuttle bus services that were already provided. Thus, this allowed certain commuters to realise that actually, SBS had made good efforts to handle the breakdown. The target is the issue or individual that we are interpreting. In this situation, it will be the MRT breakdown. The repetition of the MRT breakdown might cause commuters to feel that the transport system is poorly maintained. Furthermore, MRT breakdowns have been happening regularly. Thus, they might have a negative impression of the MRT system. The situation is the time and event in which the breakdown happened for different commuters. There were commuters that were rushing for work or school and also there might be others whom were just running some errands. Commuters that were rushing to work felt that the breakdown caused inconvenience to them as it increased their traveling time to work and...

Words: 631 - Pages: 3