The Cathedral

Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of truly peace, (Dalai Lama XIV). This quote relates to the narrator in Raymond Carvers short story, The Cathedral. In this story Bubs ignorance is shown in mixed parts throughout the story. Towards the end of the story, Bub has an epiphany. This makes him realize how uneducated hes been towards his wife as well as Robert, her childhood sweetheart and accede day best friend. He enters from a military personnel of insecurities to a realism of peace.The narrators jealousy and ignorance, is seen in many parts throughout the story. An example of Bubs jealousy is when he says, I waited in otiose to hear my name on my wifes sweet lips save I heard nothing of the sort. More talk of Robert, (Carver, Pg. 98). Not unless does he show jealousy, Bub also shows ignorance when he stereotypes against Robert. As if stereotyping against Robert wasnt enough, Bub goes on to stereotype against Roberts late wife Beulah, as he sarcastically s aid, Beulah Thats a name for colored woman, (Carver, Pg. 5). Beulah passed away in her lost battle to gland cancer. He also showed his ignorance when he quoted, I wasnt enthusiastic some his visit. He was no one I knew. And his being blind bothered me, (Carver, Pg. 94).Overall, the way he expressed himself about Robert, the blind man, in the story simply said a lot about him. Bub comes out from a world of insecurities to a world of peace, the moment he lets himself be guided by Robert. They drew a cathedral a symbol of faith, conversion, creativity, and strength. It was like nothing else in my tone up to now, (Carver, Pg. 103). The narrator faced his insecurities with Robert as well as his ability to interact with others. At first Bub could find no moment to it and found it hard to explain to Robert. It wasnt until Robert told him to close his eyes and stick drawing, that made a light bulb in his head go on, Its really something, (Carver, Pg. 103). Bub was blinded before he real ized how ignorant he was in regards to his marriage as well as with Robert.In conclusion we face ignorance on an everyday basis. It shows our lack of knowledge and sometimes reaches extreme measures. Ignorance occurs when commonwealth believe they know everything and act upon it, when this isnt reality. This is a quality that the narrator possessed. Without knowing, his inability to see the positive in people almost caused him his marriage. He was so caught up with his insecurities that he almost oversaw his wifes attempted suicide. Its important to admit and overcome ignorance in order to find the inner peace within oneself.