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Elizabeth Knorr
Mr.Opachan
English III
6 May 2016
The Walking Writer
A man creating situations with each letter he writes. Raymond Carver an author of many
shorts stories such as Cathedral and What we mean when we talk about love. These are some of
his great hits involving twist and turns and one recurring topic: love. Showing what happens
when love is gone and what can become when we show love. He uses words and experiences he
has encountered in his life when writing these works of arts. With the Cathedral you can verify
that Raymond Carver shows how he uses love.
Raymond Carver who is he, how did a man from Oregon become a successful story teller.
His story begins with wife number one and being taught dedication with having to work many
jobs to provide for his family (Sklenicka 26). This theme of dedication is shown throughout
some of his works including Cathedral. However his writing career did not take off until he went
into college (Gies). He admired one man many believe the man was Ernest Heming way; they
would be wrong instead he admired Lawrence Durrell (Sklenicka 87). Durrell was a poet and a
travel writer which in the beginning Carver wanted to become. Nevertheless the dream of a
becoming a traveling writer soon died once he realized he couldnt get out of California. Then all
he thought about came true, when working as a janitor at a hospital it gave him enough free time
to write a quick poem or a short story once he found his passion he became stuck on it. jdj
Once he published Cathedral he was well on his way. Cathedral a book about

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The cathedral a short story with a compelling tale captures much more. Raymond
Carver adds a new spin to the writing by not having names of the characters accepts for the blind
man named Robert. As the main character a man, tries to comfort Robert during his grieving
period and invites him to stay. They know Robert because of the main women; she has met him
and they became friends. So now they feel remorseful because of the death of Roberts's wife.
They take him in to stay at their house so they can watch over him. While Robert stayed at the
house the main man was struggling on how to relate to Robert. However, one day they watched a
show about Cathedrals. As Robert listened the man trying to explain what he saw as he was
struggling; Robert could tell. So he suggested that the man will draw and he will feel is hand
doing it. This was the break through. They have now found a way to communicate to one
another.
Cathedral a story involving loss, learning and never giving up; was one of Carvers best
works (Clark). He has gained a lot of praise and is known for his short stories especially
Cathedral. When creating this story, he went through a process involving memories of his life
(Plath 12). Carver enjoyed writing about brevity and intensity (Carver). You can see that in a lot
of his writings, as you read with his concise and carefully chosen words down on the pages of
the books. As you read about the misfortune of the blind mans life you come to realize that love
does help all. The love from the only friends he had helped him cope in the bizarre world
(Plath 42).
Carver never had an exactly bad stories or poem. His home life may have never been as
perfect as one would prefer but he used the confusion from his home life to his writings. He has
recurring themes while traveling around which is: love and acceptance. A thought many believe
is this is what he wanted to add to his life. Carver died an incredibly successful man and has

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written works that are still being read today. Raymond Carvers stories have taught me lessons I
didnt think I would learn, but now I know to aspect more and assume less.

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Works Cited
Sklenicka, Carol. Raymond Carver: A Writer's Life. New York: Scribner, 2009. Print.
Plath, James. Raymond Carver. Salem: n.p., 2013. Print.
Clark, Robert C. "Keeping the Reader in the House: American Minimalism, Literary Impressionism, and Raymond
Carver's Cathedral." Journal of Modern Literature 36.1 (2012): 104-18. Web.

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Works Consulted
Carver, Raymond. Cathedral: Stories. New York: Knopf, 1983. Print.
Carver, Raymond. What We Talk about When We Talk about Love: Stories. New York: Knopf, 1981. Print.
Carver, Raymond. Elephant and Other Stories. N.p.: Collins Harvill, 1988. Print.
Carver, Raymond. Call If You Need Me. New York: Library of America, 2009. Print.
Carver, Raymond. Where I'm Calling From: Selected Stories. New York: Atlantic Monthly, 1991. Print.
Clark, Robert C. "Keeping the Reader in the House: American Minimalism, Literary Impressionism, and Raymond
Carver's Cathedral." Journal of Modern Literature 36.1 (2012): 104-18.
Dana, Robert. "Carver Country: An Ikonography of the Beloved." The North American Review 277.2 (1992): 42-43.
Web
Hannigan, Paul. Erato 9/10 (1988): 2. Web
Leypoldt, Gnter. "Raymond Carver's Epiphanic Moments." Style 35.3 (2001): 531-46. Web.
McCaffery, Larry, Gregory Sinda, and Carver Raymond. "An Interview with Raymond Carver."Mississippi
Review 14.1/2 (1985): 62-82. Web.
Schweizer, Harold. "The Very Short Stories of Raymond Carver." College Literature 21.2 (1994): 126-31. Web.
WILLIAMS, GARY. "Raymond Carver." Western American Literature 32.1 (1997): 25-31. Web.