Cathedral
When I had read the short story once, I felt relieved. The language was so easy, and the theme seemed so obvious and clear. Therefore I felt I was very well prepared for the class discussion the following day. I was right. I could easily follow the other students’ reflections
and thoughts about this short story. Actually, I was not so affected by this one.
But it was before we saw the film about the writer. I learned that he had a big problem with alcohol, and so had his father. When we saw the film scene from Christmas with the messy house, the wrecked Christmas three and the children who were going to watch a cartoon at TV, something happened to me. I realized that I have seen exactly the same scene before! It was many years ago. I had a very good friend who lived nearby my home. Her father was an alcoholic, and there were days which we were not allowed to come into their house.
I remember it was one cold and sunny Christmas day I decided to pick her up on my way to the skating rink. I would show her my brand new skates which I have got for Christmas.
I knocked at the door several times, but no one opened it. So I decided to walk inside. I couldn’t imagine that her father could be drunk when it was Christmas. But as I stepped through the door, I realized that I was wrong. Her father was drunk and angry, and her mother was crying. It was messy all over the house. But the main thing, the thing which never has got out of my mind, was the wrecked Christmas three which was lying on the floor. My friend and her brother tried to put it back. I don’t know if they recognized my absence.
I can’t remember what I did afterwards, whether I went to the skating rink or not. But I will remember the terrible scene on that Christmas day as long as I live.
(In response to Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral”)
2 comments:
It was pretty much the same for me when I read "Cathedral" the first time. But alcohol is obviosly a important or central aspect in the story.
OJ
Yes! I agree that the language in "Cathedral" was easy, and that the theme seemed clear.
The positive aspect with all our reasding this spring, is that we witness the way the characters in each story see, think, understand and behave. We get to know people with different attitudes and different experiences. And we experience how much the author puts his hart and soul into his work. There are many such examples in "Cathedral" also.
Some of the texts in the curriculum make me feel: "What can we do when it seems like we can't do anything at all?"
Elin
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