Literary Critique - Cathedral
June/02/2016 03:13 PM Filed: Literary Critiques
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Drugged Illusion and Alternate Reality
In Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral” the use of drugs by the male protagonist signifies his need to find another reality, one easier to tolerate. This character is subjected to backseat positioning while his wife asserts autonomy within the marriage.
The shoved aside husband and narrator in Carver’s story encourages the use of marijuana to achieve an altered perception of the world. Although some may attribute this behavior to mere experimentation and nothing more, his offering the joint to his wife and her blind friend is an attempt to control the situation through the subtle dominance of a drug. He feels shunned and resents not being the center of attention as his wife’s companion steals the show.
Early in the story he expresses irritation over a poem she wrote about an experience with her friend. “In the poem, she talked about what she had felt at the time, about what went through her mind when the blind man touched her nose and lips. I can remember I didn’t think much of the poem.”
Later his annoyance manifests itself in marijuana use. In this instance, the protagonist reaches for an illusive balm to heal the pain of his present reality. Unhealthy escape is an unfortunate part of contemporary culture.