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Early on in "Cathedral," the narrator reveals that he is not looking forward to his wife's friend's visit. Why not?

There are several reasons that the narrator seems uncomfortable with the visit from his wife's friend, Robert. The narrator is not a social person. In fact, his wife tells him, "You don't have any friends."


It is likely, however, that the narrator is jealous of Robert and his relationship with his wife. The narrator seems uncomfortable about the poem that his wife has written about the time Robert (who is blind) put his hands on...

There are several reasons that the narrator seems uncomfortable with the visit from his wife's friend, Robert. The narrator is not a social person. In fact, his wife tells him, "You don't have any friends."


It is likely, however, that the narrator is jealous of Robert and his relationship with his wife. The narrator seems uncomfortable about the poem that his wife has written about the time Robert (who is blind) put his hands on her face. His jealousy is also seen in his refusal to call his wife's ex-husband by name.



Her officer -- why should he have a name? he was the childhood sweetheart, and what more does he want?



He also denies a name to Robert, insisting on calling him "the blind man."


Yet the narrator specifically states, "A blind man in my house was not something I looked forward to." In addition to revealing the narrator's offensive and prejudiced attitude, these words show that the narrator is uncomfortable with someone who doesn't see the world the way he does. The narrator only knows the world through sight. He feels sorry for Robert's wife because he doesn't believe that Robert could compliment her (presumably because he couldn't see her). The narrator doesn't realize that there are things beyond appearance to compliment someone for. It is not until the end of the story that with the help of Robert the narrator realizes that one can understand something without seeing it.

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