...The Plot and Theme in Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” Raymond Carver states that by the mid-1960s he was tired of reading and writing “long narrative fiction” (“On Writing” 46). Shorter fiction, he found, was more immediate. This mode of thought may help us to understand why Carver turned to compose shorter works of fiction like “Cathedral,” a work that acts as a brief glance into how one man’s physical blindness helps another man begin to overcome his own spiritual blindness. Carver’s thematic plots could convey alternate meaning—both directly and indirectly. “Cathedral” introduces the theme of blindness, shown by “this blind man” (Carver 709), but concludes by addressing the deeper theme of internal or spiritual blindness by the host. Therefore, the plot and theme of “Cathedral” relay simultaneous levels of meaning to the reader. “Cathedral” tells a story of an irreligious man, who learns a spiritual lesson from a blind man: “But I had my eyes closed. I thought I’d keep them that way for a little longer. I thought it was something I ought to do” (Carver 718). That’s why at the end of the story he does not open his eyes for he wants to “keep them that way for a little longer” so that he can see clearly in his mind. There are two types of blindness, but when we talk about blindness, we usually think of the blindness on our physical body rather than the blindness in our mind. In “Cathedral” both Robert and the host are blind: one is blind in external sight, and the other one is...
Words: 1140 - Pages: 5
...period through the teachings and life of Jesus. The characteristics of the medieval period and the impact of important aspects such as monasteries, art and architecture and health and medicine, give us a more in depth idea of what it was like during the middle ages and how people were drawn to religion and the teachings of the church. Beginning in the 300s, monasticism affected the entire church and also influenced European culture, theology, agricultural methods, art, music and architecture. Monasticism is a way of life in which a group of individuals pursue holiness. It is one of the...
Words: 689 - Pages: 3
...After doing research on wine production and consumption at Chartres, I found many correlations between the political, social, cultural, and artistic environments that supported and enabled the building of Chartres Cathedral. Wine production and consumption was a crucial part of the culture during and after the building of Chartres Cathedral. Like today’s culture, wine is a substantial part of everyday life. Whether it was used as a form of payment, or simply to enjoy the celebrations and company of others, wine played a great role in medieval France at Chartres Cathedral. The geography of Chartres was practical for vinification. Vineyards surrounded Chartres Cathedral. They stretched the vast slopes of valleys and banks of rivers. The population of Chartres was approximately seven thousand people. In the eleventh-century, there were many vines planted around Chartres and presses were installed which greatly expanded the wine consumption and production. Because of this growth in production, many pilgrims and various travelers were attracted to taste the local wines. The older plots where wine was being made produced better wines than the newer plots because they had a better selection of the geographic location of where the wine was being made. The church heavily affected the wine production and consumption during Chartres. Religious figures were highly praised in the time of Chartres and the bishop had the finest plot of land for a vineyard in the region. The bishop monopolized...
Words: 417 - Pages: 2
...Gothic Revival and All of its Glory Architecture, just like fashion, set trends that change as time goes by. The revolution of style occurs to become concurrent to the fast pacing growth of technology throughout the world. At present, the style that governs and favored upon by most architects is that of contemporary or of modern design. Everywhere you look, one can see buildings made of glass and steel with forms that exhibits simplicity and openness. But it was not always that way, before the increasing popularity of modern architecture, a style characterized by its rejection of the classical approach, became apparent in today’s time, there was a prevailing architectural movement during the 19th century called Gothic Revival that encompasses all the other neoclassical styles in that period. Gothic Revival that is also known as Victorian Gothic or neo-Gothic architecture got its name from the medieval Gothic Architecture it was influenced to. Back in the Medieval era, the style wasn’t referred to as ‘Gothic’ yet, it was only during the period of the Renaissance that the term became commonly used by the people, which was started by Italian architect, historian and writer Giorgio Vasari, deemed all buildings of the middle Ages to be that of having a rude and barbaric quality because it does not conform to the traditional designs of classical Greek and Roman, and also thought of as having an association with the savage Goths, the people who were responsible for the fall of the...
Words: 2012 - Pages: 9
...The Dark Ages was caused by continual invasions and the spread of a sickening disease. The invasions came from all around Europe and destroyed many towns while taking some of its people and goods. The Black Death caused death to be recurrent and the population to notably decrease. The Golden Ages had major progress in architecture and its education system. Massive cathedrals were built throughout Europe showcasing the talents of the artisans and the impact of art on their culture. Medieval universities created an advanced education system which allowed individuals to progress in new areas. Both the Dark Ages and the Golden Ages describe the Middle Ages as an imperfect, unique society and shows how just one region of the world can improve its society in a matter of...
Words: 1001 - Pages: 5
...The Aha! Moment “You get the sense that the scene is an answer to something. It can be such an epiphany and that's what's so powerful about it. But the danger is that the very epiphany that you have initially can ultimately lead you into a trap, escaping life,” spoken by Greg Harrison. This quote underscores the nature of epiphanies as both the solution to a literary or actual problem and as a dangerous trap. In The Seagull Reader Stories,“Cathedral”, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, and “A&P,” all depict epiphanies. To have an epiphany, one needs to have an arrival of understanding and develop a new sense of intuitive realization. Epiphanies do not always have a bad ending with a trap, but each story has its own unique epiphany which creates vulnerability and or illuminates life lessons. During an epiphany, there is a sudden realization, often depicted in cartoons as a lit lightbulb floating over a character's head. Concommit with this realization, is an exposure and vulnerability to an ambush. Often, when the hidden knowledge is revealed, the discoverer is susceptible to the consequences of their discovery. Sammy, the protagonist in “A&P” by John Updike, goes through an epiphany. Three girls walk into A&P, the grocery store where Sammy is a cashier. The girls are dressed in only bathing suits and the store manager scolds the girls for their attire. Sammy suddenly realizes that he didn’t want to work for a person that is rude to girls. Sammy quits his job in an...
Words: 778 - Pages: 4
...define because people can be easily confused as to the purpose of visitor attractions. Because many visitor attractions are different because some are either natural or manmade. Visitor attractions are classified by whether they are purposely built attractions, natural attractions or non-purpose built attraction C) London Eye: The London Eye is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually each year. The London eye is situated in central London and is become a landmark for London with many tourists visiting every year. St Paul’s cathedral: is a Church of England cathedral in the city of London. The cathedral is one of London’s most iconic sights and is one of the most famous buildings in the capital. According to visit England, st Paul’s cathedral had over a million visitors in 2008 and 2009. This proves that it is a famous attraction for tourists. (Source:...
Words: 2277 - Pages: 10
...Top Ten Assignment The Enlightenment and Romanic Ages produced numerous masterpieces in art, music, architecture, and literature which people still enjoy today. These opus magnums along with the philosophies during the two periods are reflections of the developments in world events and cultural patterns. This paper will present two pieces of art, music, architecture, literature, and philosophy from the Enlightenment and Romanic Ages that best represents the developments patterns from that time. Philosophy in the Enlightenment Age focused on an individual’s right to life and liberty. One example of a philosopher from this age is Thomas Jefferson. He famously wrote the Declaration of Independence (1776) that the Continental Congress signed declaring the United States free from the oppression of England. The document begins with, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (us history, 2013). Another such example of philosophy during the Enlightenment Age are the works of Thomas Paine. He wrote two of the most highly influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution. One such pamphlet is Common Sense (1776) (us history, 2011) the all-time bestselling book that advocates America’s independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine were chosen as examples because we believe the Declaration...
Words: 1558 - Pages: 7
...Jealous, unsatisfied, and internally blind are characteristic of the unnamed, narrator in the story “Cathedral”. With dispassionate emotionless word exaggeration giving knowledge to the audience that the narrator is blind to being open minded and dissatisfied with life. As well as, strict facts, complaining statements, and dynamic phrases showing the reader the social disconnectedness, lacking words, which is perceived to be isolation. As Carver begins the tale, he introduces the “blind man” which some may say the narrator was speaking as though the blind man was himself, although Robert was physically blind he helps a seeing man, the narrator, overcome his interior blindness. The narrator's judgmental and misconception of the people and...
Words: 779 - Pages: 4
...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
...sports, education, and literature. Occupations and preoccupations differed from the feudal nobility and labouring peasants(McKay,Hill, Buckler,Crowston,Wiesner-Hanks, & Perry, 2012, p.298). Cities were now crowed and polluted and caused improvement in legal status. The sumptuary laws were laws that social groups needed to wear certain items clothing to distinguish from one another. The high social group wore velvet , silk, pearls while peasants wore dark clothing made of linen and wood blending(McKay,2012., p.300). So the interaction between the wealthy and peasants was common. Games and sports were a popular form of entertainment that united society. With that, Primary schooling was most of the time in monasteries, convents and cathedrals. By the 12th century the demand for trained officials increased, trade and feudalism were the cause of this development(History of Western Civilization,DATE). As urbanization increased so did the numbers of universities. Change was happening , Universities offered more than just law, medicine and theology, they gradually offered different subjects like philosophy(History of Western Civilization, DATE). Art was written by hand on animal skin which was very precious and expensive. Architecture instead of being just Romanesque, gothic style...
Words: 1043 - Pages: 5
...Emily Lanzarotto October 23, 2014 HIS 304-Professor Pearson Writing Assignment #1 Convevencia Often when the history of medieval Europe is told it is only from the view point of Christianity however, the story of medieval Europe from an Islamic point of view is in many ways far more vital to the true history. Early Islam was a powerful force in Europe that revived old and created new cities. As the Muslims moved into a Spain under the Visigoths, they took control in a swift and fairly bloodless invasion in 711 and even reached as far as southern France by 719. The ruling Umayyad family in Muslim Spain, al-Andalus, was slaughtered and all but one had died out by the year 1031. The Muslim faithful stayed in the al-Andalus area and in the eleventh century Europe saw a large number of Muslim converts bringing a new and highly advanced Islamic culture to Europe. The main city of Cordoba was the headquarters of all things “high-tech”. Cordoba had grand mosques, libraries, hospitals, paved streets, street lamps, schools, homes with running water, all things that cities like London and Paris would not see for another 700 years. Some of the early Muslims in Cordoba pioneered medicine with pharmacology along with astronomy and philosophy. Most notably a philosopher/astronomer named Averroes whose translation of Aristotle from Greek to Arabic to Latin shocked the world at the time. As time went on the Muslim rule weakened and the Christians in the north took advantage. They launched...
Words: 1021 - Pages: 5
...success it grew and appeared all over Western Europe. Many different art forms where created during the period 12-16th century. Although sculptures, panel painting, stain glass, fresco and illuminated manuscript are what it was now for mostly. An example of fantastic architecture from this period would be the ‘Cathedral of Notre Dame; Chartres, France’ dating from c. 1145-c.1400. 220. (Adams, 211). ‘A study of Notre-dame provides a virtual education in gothic art’ (Temko, 10). ‘With a unity of style that was rare for mid ages, these elements where constructed in a sustained campaign of 87 years’. (Temko, 117). The building is unique to other buildings in this time period having a very impressive impact on people as it is far from being symmetrical like other created in the same way. ‘Notre-dame, Paris differs again in its flat elevation and in its stress on horizontal, inside as well as outside. Indeed, the silhouettes if these two buildings are entirely different (Norwich, 214-15). The structure is explained to be simple although complex due to the interior and other personal additions, making it unique. This gothic architecture had a huge impact on the expectation of cathedrals during this time and was finally completely in 1220; it is known for the proportions of the arches...
Words: 1219 - Pages: 5
...Part 1 1. Dornic order and Ionic order 2. The metopes, the pedimental sculptures and the frieze 3. Flying buttresses, pointed arch and the ribbed vault. Robert of Luzarches, Thomas de Cormont and Renaud de Cormont. 4. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine`s east end is built in the Romanesque style. The solid granite columns surround the High Altar and ambulatory, the tiled barrel-vault ceilings and the crossing under the dome are Romanesque style. 5. Recurrent cycles with central axis. The God`s golden circle, the Christ`s golden holy circle, the gold circle within a dove in it (the holy spirit), and the monstrance circle. 6. 5 bays 7. Northern Europe. Between 1470-1530 nearly mid-Renaissance. Engraving. Engravers begins to mass-produce devotional art. 8. In Bruegel`s painting, Jesus is barely visible, though he is in the center of the painting. And the virgin Mary is not accompany with Jesus, but sitting near the picture plane. PART II 1. Alberti states that ”the whole of painting” consists of three parts: Circumscription, composition and the reception of light. Raphael conforms circumscription. It`s clear that without any veil or grid, Raphael can`t create such 3-dimensional space on wall. The reception of light and composition are based on a good circumscription. The outline of the picture blends in with the arch. We can`t tell the outlines of most of the figures because they are so subtle. The contours of figures almost formed by shadow...
Words: 1340 - Pages: 6
...John Calvin was born in France on July 10, 1509. He was raised in a very faithful Roman Catholic household. Calvin’s father had a job in the local Cathedral as an administrator working for the confined bishop in that area at the time. Later on, his father suggested that he should be the priest of the cathedral. At the young age of 14 years old, to get ready for his future in the University, he went to Paris to study at the College de Marche. While there, he studied up to seven different subjects. For instance just to name a few, Calvin studied arithmetic, astronomy and rhetoric. This allowed him to be knowledgeable in many different aspects of life. Regardless of any other influences, Calvin may have had throughout his years studying, he always had a close...
Words: 491 - Pages: 2
