Inglese

Summary of Cathedral

The narrator, a closed-off and somewhat cynical man, is unhappy that his wife’s blind

friend, Robert, is coming to visit. He is uncomfortable with the idea of spending time

with a blind person and harbors prejudices about Robert’s abilities and life

experiences. However, as the evening progresses, Robert’s open and warm

personality challenges the narrator’s preconceived notions.

The turning point occurs when Robert asks the narrator to describe a cathedral, and

when words fail him, Robert suggests they draw one together. As they do, the

narrator closes his eyes and begins to see in a new way—not just visually, but

emotionally and spiritually. The experience profoundly affects him, leading to a

moment of transformation.

Themes and Analysis

1. Blindness vs. Sight (Perception and Understanding)

​ •​ The story explores both physical blindness and metaphorical blindness.

​ •​ The narrator, though sighted, is emotionally closed off and unable to

truly “see” or understand others.

​ •​ Robert, despite being blind, has a deep understanding of life,

relationships, and human connection.

​ •​ The act of drawing the cathedral symbolizes the narrator’s shift from

ignorance to insight.

2. Isolation and Connection

​ •​ The narrator is emotionally disconnected from his wife and others.

​ •​ His relationship with his wife lacks depth, as shown by his dismissive

attitude toward her experiences.

​ •​ Robert, in contrast, forms genuine connections despite his disability.

​ •​ Through their interaction, the narrator experiences a rare moment of

connection and self-awareness.

3. Transformation and Epiphany

​ •​ The story builds toward the narrator’s moment of transformation.

​ •​ Drawing the cathedral with Robert becomes a metaphor for learning to

see beyond the superficial.

​ •​ Closing his eyes while drawing allows him to “see” in a way he never

has before—emotionally and spiritually.

​ •​ The final lines suggest a newfound awareness and openness, though

it’s left ambiguous how lasting this change will be.

Minimalist Style and Symbolism

​ •​ Carver’s signature minimalist style is evident in the story’s simple,

direct prose.

​ •​ Dialogue and subtle actions carry deeper meaning rather than explicit

explanations.

​ •​ The cathedral itself is a powerful symbol—it represents faith, vision,

and human connection.

​ •​ The act of drawing together becomes a bridge between two vastly

different people, showing the power of shared experience.

Conclusion

Cathedral is a story about personal growth and the ways in which human connection

can lead to transformation. The narrator begins as a judgmental and detached

person but, through his interaction with Robert, experiences a moment of profound

realization. Carver leaves us with an open-ended yet hopeful ending, suggesting that

true understanding comes not just from seeing but from feeling and experiencing the

world in a deeper way.

Jack London’s To Build a Fire is a classic naturalist short story that explores themes

of survival, human arrogance, and the overwhelming power of nature. The story is a

harrowing tale of a man’s struggle against the freezing Yukon wilderness, ultimately

highlighting the limitations of human knowledge and the unforgiving nature of the

environment.

Summary of To Build a Fire

The story follows an unnamed man traveling alone in the Yukon with only his dog as

a companion. Despite warnings from an experienced old-timer, the man

underestimates the dangers of extreme cold and ventures out into the wilderness at

temperatures of -75°F. He falls into icy water, wetting himself up to his knees, and

must build a fire to prevent freezing. However, his fire is extinguished by falling snow

from a tree.

As his situation worsens, he tries and fails to light another fire due to his frozen

fingers. Panic sets in, and he attempts to kill his dog for warmth, but he is too weak.

Eventually, he succumbs to the cold and dies, while the dog, guided by instinct,

moves on in search of another human.

Themes and Analysis

1. Man vs. Nature (The Power of the Natural World)

​ •​ The story exemplifies naturalism, a literary movement that emphasizes

how humans are at the mercy of nature.

​ •​ The man believes he can conquer the cold, but nature remains

indifferent to his struggle.

​ •​ The dog, guided by instinct, survives, while the man, relying on logic

and human arrogance, perishes.

2. Human Arrogance vs. Instinct

​ •​ The man ignores the advice of the old-timer who warned him against

traveling alone in such extreme conditions.

​ •​ He believes his intelligence and preparedness will be enough to

overcome nature, but he fails to respect its power.

​ •​ In contrast, the dog survives because it follows its natural instincts,

demonstrating that instinct is sometimes more reliable than human reasoning.

3. Isolation and Existentialism

​ •​ The man is completely alone in the wilderness, emphasizing his

vulnerability.

​ •​ His death is not dramatic or heroic; it is quiet and indifferent, reinforcing

existentialist themes about the insignificance of human life in the grand scheme of

nature.

​ •​ There is no divine intervention, no savior—only the brutal, uncaring

cold.

4. The Importance of Fire (Symbolism)

​ •​ Fire represents life, warmth, and human civilization.

​ •​ The failure to build a fire symbolizes the man’s failure to survive and

his ultimate insignificance in nature.