Raymond Carver

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i need some pics of Raymond Carver!!!

>>By jake wikoff   (Saturday, 25 Jan 2003 12:59)



what whould you say about the value of faith and the nature of human existence, in the short story "cathedral".

>>By alicia   (Saturday, 25 Jan 2003 12:59)



There is no value of faith or the nature of human existance in Carvers "cathedral". That is the point of it. The narrator in a sense is a blind man to the deeper things in life. He is an insular individual who in the end of the story begins to break down his walls slightly, but never fully understands. This can be seen in that the story is being retold. It is all in past tense. Everything that is happining in the story is after his "revelation" and his drawing of the cathedral. The story shows that he never quite got it in that it is all told as surface happenings. Descriptions of what is seen or heard are all that is told not what is felt. This all gets brought back into the cathedral when he is "building" the drawing of it (surface) but never gets into what it is all about.

>>By Jefferson   (Sunday, 2 Feb 2003 23:17)



can anyone give me a brief analysis on the short story "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love". Thanks a lot!!

>>By Gina   (Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003 01:34)



carver speaks of the love that everyone has for everything - hatred, lust, want, need, pity, and reliance. he speaks of what we all talk about when we talk about love.

>>By dean   (Sunday, 30 Mar 2003 04:32)



jefferson,
don't you think that the narrators descriptions a of what is seen and heard is more poignant than if he merely described his feelings at every stage in the process? by just telling us what happened he lets the reader 'see' also. He's trying to make us realise that all too often our eyes are closed aswell.
its a morality tale, a modern day parable!

>>By eva   (Thursday, 3 Apr 2003 15:07)



What is a commom characteristic that can be seen through out the stories, "Cathedral", "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love", and "A Small Good Thing"

>>By Aaron   (Thursday, 10 Apr 2003 20:00)



What is the point of view and theme in the story Cathedral??

>>By Beth   (Tuesday, 15 Apr 2003 21:53)



Anyone want to analyze "Where I'm Calling From"? I am trying to tie it in with the psychological aspect of alcoholism. Any symbolism?

>>By lola   (Wednesday, 16 Apr 2003 05:52)



Does anyone think that the character of the wife in "Cathedral" is more than just a bridge between the two men?

>>By Hannah   (Monday, 21 Apr 2003 02:38)



I found it great how Carver totally shows (not tells) the scenes and the personalities of the characters... the kind blind man is hungry for knowledge and new experiences,he doesn't want to waste life just because he can't see. "I got ears,". And the narrator only finds himself in the very end. The scene of the dinner table, is perfect. Can't you guys see them all sitting back on their chairs, with their hands on their stuffed middles and sweat trickling down their faces?

>>By julia   (Monday, 28 Apr 2003 04:13)



Jefferson is laughably wrong in his assessment of "Cathedral". The tense is pretty much irrelevant to the character's action. You are reading it as if it were metafiction and that the telling of the story is the primary source of character action, rather than the events in the story itself. I suggest a re-reading, or maybe, you should try something a little less challenging.

>>By Oscar H.   (Friday, 2 May 2003 19:09)



Oscar H., my dear, if you want to seem superior do it, but don't try to achieve it by bringing others down... That's what weak people do. Critique, but don't be snobbish.
Try again.

>>By amanda   (Monday, 5 May 2003 04:27)



dont forget guys: SHOW ME DONT TELL ME !!!!

>>By ms newstead   (Monday, 5 May 2003 04:32)



Amanda: I am quite offended that you would imply that i was condescending or snobbish. I addressed the substance of Jefferson's arguement (guess, you chose to look over that part) rather than peddling in personal attacks (such as you have done). Since he obviously misinterpretted the meaning of the story, I recomended something less challenging. I was trying to be helpful and not "bring him down". However, unlike my message, I found your note to be excessively rude and vastly hypocritical. Yet, be assured, I forgive you for your blunder. Have a good day and I appreciate it if you would not address me again on this forum.

>>By Oscar H.   (Tuesday, 6 May 2003 08:10)



Oscar,
I find it funny that you speak of hypocrisy and yet indulge in it yourself. If you had TRULY forgiven Amanda you should have no problem with her addressing you in the future. Further, I think Amanda had a rather valid point. With the exception of perhaps yourself, I don't think anyone would consider a comment such as "try something a little less challenging" helpful or constructive- critical for sure. If you can think of no other way to constructively criticize others comments and yet have a problem when people take exception to it, or at least politely point out you are not being polite, then I suggest you try a less challenging forum. Of course, I am just trying to be helpful.

>>By Justin   (Tuesday, 6 May 2003 10:17)



Justin: Thank you for your comments. Unlike, Amanda's note I found them relatively inoffensive. Although your "less challenging forum" comment is rather nonsensical, so I can only assume that you intended it as some sort of ironic rebuke or just arose out of plain stupidity, so I'll assume the first. Since, you seemed to perceive my "less challenging" comment as critical and unhelpful (an assertion that I do not hold), I feel that your suggestion is in direct conflict with your personal standards of politeness, as you outlined in your note. It is difficult to take your points seriously while such blatant hypocrisy in them surfaces.
Furthermore, I feel that it is silly for you to question the validity of my forgiveness. I forgive her for what she said; I merely would not prefer to be addressed by her again. That is wholly understandable, because I want to avoid further or similar incidents in which I am insulted or put down (apparently, I was unsuccessful). Anyhow, you have both pointed out your opinions on my critique of Jefferson's note. I would appreciate your silence now.

>>By Oscar H.   (Wednesday, 7 May 2003 09:29)



Did I hear anyone say trivial? Perhaps it was all just an illusion.

>>By Andreas   (Thursday, 22 May 2003 01:06)



were supposed to be talking about carver here!

>>By jason   (Wednesday, 4 Jun 2003 01:35)



Jason,
I know we were supposed to be talking about carver, but I cannot keep quiet when I see someoneTRYING to feel superior by bringing somebody else down; that's something that cowards do, and I pointed it out because then maybe Oscar will think it through and review his behavior toward others and even toward himself.
People that cannot feel in peace with themselves by just looking at themselves are those that point out the flaws in others, and talk condescendingly so that others' errors make them feel better (which is an illusion).

>>By amanda   (Monday, 9 Jun 2003 01:50)



Oscar H.,
It has been some time since I last visited this site, so I hadn't had the oportunity to read your comments. Why is it that you don't want me to address you again? Are you afraid? Is it because you are so not confident that you can't take criticism, and so you feel the need for putting yourself above others?
Look, the issue here is past literature, and past manners. What I'm presenting to you could be a flaw in your character that should be analyzed and interpreted.
Watch your language too. Or else, soon you'll find yourself alone. People don't like being treated badly, remember that. Maybe you should get some kind of professional counseling, a psicologist would probably help you get along with people better.
Justin, I agree with you and I thank you for your comments, they were really relevating and true in their integrity.
If anyone else would like to add anything to what I've just said I'd appreaciate it.
Thanks everyone !

>>By amanda   (Monday, 9 Jun 2003 02:05)



Oscar,
just one more thing:
who on earth asked for your forgiveness ???

>>By amanda   (Monday, 9 Jun 2003 02:08)



Amanda: Do you even bother to read my messages before you respond to them? I already explained quite clearly why I did not want you to address me on this forum again. But rest assured, I will take the OPORTUNITY to visit a PSICOLOGIST as soon as possible.
p.s.--that was rhetorical question, you know.

>>By Oscar H.   (Wednesday, 18 Jun 2003 08:00)



Holy jesus!!!!!!!!
My beautiful people, let's not fight over such a small issue... the world is already so full of hatred ... don't add any more sorrow to it, Peace 'n Love,..
Oscar go to hell

>>By Jesus Christ   (Friday, 20 Jun 2003 04:41)



Hi-
I am looking for good links to literary analysis websites and help with my analysis of "Cathedral"
I am actually on this website to discuss Cathedral (unlike Oscar, Amanda, Jefferson) but seem to have only found people bickering about trivial matters, not Carver or books! Haha you guys are probably children (or spell like children) who have nothing better to do. Advice:Go play in the sandbox and don't waste real students time!

>>By Kelsey   (Wednesday, 2 Jul 2003 20:31)



Jefferson: My bad, it seems you contributed to none of the stupidity!

>>By Kelsey   (Wednesday, 2 Jul 2003 20:34)



Often Carver is called a realist. By that people mean that his stories lack metaphor and only depict life as we see it. Yet his stories usually have a hint of theme. Take for instance the couple that muffles their baby talk after going to his friend's house and seeing the ugly baby and peacock. Do you think Carver's writing wants to outright say more, thus making his writing a little umcomfortable or do you think he has found a perfect balance of reality and a whisper of theme?

>>By lucas   (Monday, 7 Jul 2003 18:58)



The writing seems to be superficial, however, upon re-reading the story, the lessons learned are great. Learning to "feel" like the other person, "diplomacy", predjuice etc.

>>By annie T   (Thursday, 17 Jul 2003 19:02)



Hi! Just looking to see if anyone has an idea of the significance of the dinner in "Cathedral"?

Thanks! Kim

>>By kimp35   (Monday, 15 Sep 2003 20:31)



hi i am writing a essay about Raymond Carver's story "Catherdal". i was wonder is anybody could tell me how Robert, the blind man, was wise. i really need some help

>>By lil_kia19   (Wednesday, 24 Sep 2003 04:22)



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