"Cathedral" by Raymond Carver & "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor

For Carver in “Cathedral,” salvation lies in human contact and connection. How is this reflected in the story? 

In “Cathedral”, Raymond Carver, the author, illustrates that salvation lies in human contact and connection. At the beginning of the story it was obvious that the narrator (who was also the husband) was very lonely. His relationship with his wife was poor as she questioned whether he really loved her especially when he didn’t want her to invite her friend Robert (the blind man) whom she really cared about. “’If you love me,’ she said, ‘you can do this for me. If you don’t love me, okay.” Most likely he felt threatened by Robert especially since she told Robert about him and he never met Robert before. He also didn’t have close relationships with other people. “’You don’t have any friends,’ she said.” (page 118) 

The only names actually mentioned were of Beulah (Robert’s wife who died) and Robert. The narrator refers to himself as “I” but is never associated with a name and the wife isn’t associated with a name either. This dehumanizes both the husband and wife and the husband feels stuck in life especially with his career. This is especially shown when Robert asks him questions to make conversation. “From time to time, he’d turn his blind face toward me, put his hand under his beard, ask me something. How long have I been in my present position? (Three years.) Did I like my work? (I didn’t). Was I going to stay with it? (What were the options?)” (page 122)