Cathedral by Raymond Carver

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English 110 New Criticism/Carver essay Apprehension Raymond Carver is an American poet and short story author, and is recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer, as “one of the great short story writers of all time.” Carver is known for his average Joe characters, which help the reader closer relate to his stories. Cathedral, considered to be his greatest literary work, is a set of twelve short stories first published in 1983. The first of his featured stories, “Feathers,” is story told in the first- person point-of -view by the narrator, Jack. The story is a recollection of a time when he and his wife, Fran, were, as far as they knew, still happy. However, little did they know, their lives would change forever by a simple invitation to the house of his coworker, Bud, and his wife, Olla. Jack and Fran live in the city by themselves and are quite content, as far as they know, with their life of seclusion. They are fond of each other and have no intention of having kids. On the other hand, Bud and his family live out in the country in a home that is filled with unique and somewhat disturbing characteristics, such as the mold of Olla’s plaster teeth displayed above the television, the peacock who plays the role of Bud and Olla’s dog, and their ugly eight-month old son, Harold. After experiencing the oddity of Bud’s home and lifestyle, Jack and Fran grow excited and inspired to have a child of their own, a decision the couple will ironically and ultimately regret. During the course of the visit, Jack and Fran become affected by Bud and his family’s happiness, even though their lives are not up to terms with what Jack and Fran consider socially acceptable. Although the tension within “Feathers” is set by the apprehensive mood of the couple, Jack and (mostly) Fran, about various elements inside the story, Carver uses key symbols of a bizarre nature to relieve that
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