The Typists Pen

In the Raymond Carver short story Cathedral we have the theme of detachment and isolation. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed man the story begins with the narrator telling the reader about a friend of his wife’s, a blind man called Robert, who has come to visit them. When his wife was younger she spent a summer working for Robert and though she has moved from Seattle, she remained in contact with him by way Read more

In The Bridle by Raymond Carver we have the theme of being trapped, control and isolation. Taken from Cathedral the story is narrated in the first person by a woman called Marge. Marge is the manager of an apartment complex in Arizona and it is through her observations that the reader gets some insight into not only the lives of the other residents of the complex but also an insight into Marge’s life. The story begins Read more

In Fever by Raymond Carver we have the theme of trust, separation, helplessness and acceptance. Taken from Cathedral the story tells of the struggles of the main protagonist, Carlyle, to find a sitter for his children and accept the fact that his wife Eileen has left him. From the beginning of the story the reader finds that Carlyle is struggling. On his second attempt he finally found a sitter (Debbie) for the children Read more

In The Train by Raymond Carver we have the theme of isolation, separation and desperation. Taken from Cathedral, the story is a follow up of a John Cheever short story called ‘The Five-Forty-Eight.’ Narrated in the third person it begins with the reader being introduced to the central protagonist in the story, a young woman called Miss Dent. She is holding an unnamed man at gun point, for reasons that are never explained Read more

In Where I’m Calling From by Raymond Carver we have the theme of identity, discontent, action and alcoholism. Taken from Cathedral, the story is narrated by an unnamed man who is in Frank Martin’s drying out facility. There are several story’s being told within the story (frame narrative) which in some ways deflects the reader from ever getting a sense of the true identity of the narrator. We are never given his Read more

In Careful by Raymond Carver we have the theme of communication, alcoholism and disaffection. Taken from Cathedral, the story tells of a man called Lloyd who has recently separated from his wife Inez. Lloyd is now living in the attic room of Mrs Matthews house and very early on the reader finds that Lloyd has a drinking problem. He drinks from early in the morning, something that Carver highlights to the reader through Read more

In Vitamins by Raymond Carver we have the theme of disaffection, marriage and escape. Taken from Cathedral, the story begins with the narrator (unnamed) telling the reader first about his ‘nothing job’ at the hospital and then about his wife Patti’s job. Patti sells vitamins door to door and very early on the reader learns that Patti is struggling in her job. She is the team leader for a group of girls but many Read more

In A Small, Good Thing by Raymond Carver we have the theme of communication, helplessness and disconnection. Taken from Cathedral, the story begins with one of the main protagonists, Ann Weiss, in a bakery ordering a cake for her son Scotty’s eighth birthday. It is through Ann’s eyes that the reader gets the first instance of the lack of communication in the story. There are no pleasantries between Ann and the baker, Read more

In The Compartment by Raymond Carver we have the theme of isolation, detachment and regret. Taken from Cathedral, the story begins with the reader being introduced to the main protagonist Myers. He is on a train, heading to Strasbourg, where he is to meet his son. Myers hasn’t seen his son in eight years and he recalls their last meeting when they were fighting over his now ex-wife. Very early on the reader gets the Read more

In Preservation by Raymond Carver we have the theme of inaction or paralysis. Taken from Cathedral, the story is narrated in the third person by an unknown narrator. It begins with the reader learning that Sandy’s husband (unnamed) has been laid off work and is spending all of his time lying on the sofa (inaction, no movement). Even though he has gone to the unemployment office to see if there is any work he can’t Read more

In Chef’s House by Raymond Carver we have the theme of identity, isolation and the past. Taken from Cathedral, the story is narrated in the first person by a woman called Edna. It is somewhat of a memory piece and Edna recalls when she was separated from her husband Wes and he rang her and asked her to live with him again in his friend Chef’s house. Despite separating over his drinking, Wes assures Edna that he’s Read more

In Feathers by Raymond Carver we have the theme of silence and change. Taken from Cathedral, the story begins with the reader being introduced to a man called Jack (narrator). Jack is now middle aged and looking back at the time his work colleague Bud invited him and his wife Fran over to his house for dinner. Very early on the reader realises that Fran doesn't want to go to dinner, having no interest in meeting new Read more