In Raymond Carver’s short story ‘Cathedral,’ one prominent example of irony lies in the protagonist’s experience during the visit from the blind man, Robert.
Throughout the story, the narrator holds a dismissive and prejudiced view of blind people, believing they are somehow lesser because of their disability. He assumes that Robert, despite his blindness, is unable to see the world in a meaningful way, as expressed in his initial discomfort and skepticism about the visit.
The twist of irony occurs during the climactic moment when the narrator participates in drawing a cathedral with Robert. While the narrator can see, it is Robert who possesses a deeper understanding of the cathedral’s significance. The narrator, blind to the true essence and beauty of the cathedral, experiences a moment of enlightenment when he closes his eyes and draws. This act represents a reversal of roles, as the blind man guides him to a form of vision that transcends physical sight.
Ultimately, this situational irony highlights how the narrator’s prejudice renders him ‘blind’ in a metaphorical sense, and leads to his epiphany—underlining the story’s themes of perception and connection beyond visual limitations.