An ‘A’ paper on ‘Cathedral’

The following earned an “A”; it is about 250 words long. Note the strong thesis and the strong topic sentences.

“Cathedral”

      Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” demonstrates numerous examples of bias, as shown by the narrator’s words and thoughts.

      The narrator said many statements that showed bias to the blind man, Robert. Before Robert arrived for his visit the narrator made the comment to his wife, “Maybe I could take him bowling” (Carver 79). This was a nasty comment not showing much respect for the fact the man is blind. He makes it clear that he would have preferred to have a more entertaining house guest. He also showed bias when he said, “Which side of the train did you sit on, by the way?” (Carver 80). Yet again, the narrator disregards the fact that Robert had a disbility. His bias was clearly shown through his words.

      In addition, the narrator of the story had stereotypical and biased thoughts regarding blindness. “My idea of blindness came from 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 77). He did not like the thought of having Robert in his home and showed bias against him. He later goes on to say how he could not comprehend how Robert (being blind) could have had a fulfilling life with his wife: “They’d live together, slept together – had sex, sure – and then he had to bury her” (79). The narrator makes it almost sound as if Robert was lying. He practically scoffs at the way Robert lives.