Reread “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver
Write a 5 paragraph literary analysis essay of 700-1000 words (roughly 3-4 pages) on the short story “Cathedral.” Your essay must include:
● An introductory paragraph that contains the thesis statement.
● 3 body paragraphs supporting the thesis statement that include direct quotations from the text.
● A concluding paragraph that sums up the thesis and main points.
Remember, each of the 3 body paragraphs must:
● Begin with a topic sentence that identifies the point the paragraph will make in support of the thesis and is directly tied to the thesis statement.
● Contain at least one direct quotation from the text to illustrate/support the point the paragraph makes.
o The direct quotation must be integrated into the body of your sentence.
o Be sure to explain what the quoted material means and how it supports the point.
As noted in the syllabus, the introductory and concluding paragraphs should be a minimum of 4 sentences, and each body paragraph should a minimum of 8 sentences.
Adhere to MLA format and include an original title for your essay. Be sure to look at the handout, “1st page of MLA” as an example in the handouts folder.
For this first essay, I will provide you with a thesis statement as well as a topic sentence for the first body paragraph. You must use one of the thesis statements with topic sentence provided. (Consider this a temporary loan – you may not claim this as your own in another class!)
Choose one of the thesis statements with accompanying topic sentence. Following each thesis/topic sentence, I have included some brief strategies that may help you.
Thesis 1:
The short story “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver suggests that imagination can encourage personal growth.
First body paragraph topic sentence:
One way the story shows that imagination can encourage personal growth is through the narrator’s change from a biased view of blind people.
(For thesis statement 1, the first body paragraph will establish the narrator’s biased and prejudicial views and how he learns to appreciate Robert due to Robert’s imagination. The second body paragraph could discuss how the narrator’s lack of imagination has stunted his growth in other areas of his life. The third body paragraph could discuss the complexity in the narrator’s final epiphany in which he uses his own imagination.)
Thesis 2:
The short story “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver suggests that without spontaneity a marriage can become lonely and painful.
First body paragraph topic sentence:
One wasy the story shows that without spontaneity a marriage can grow cold is through the narrator’s jealousy of his wife’s relationship with Robert.
(For thesis statement 2, the first body paragraph will establish the narrator’s dislike of Robert before he knows him leading him to not want a visit and the spontaneous nature of hosting a household guest. The second body paragraph could examine the wife’s obvious desire for excitement and her unhappiness in the marriage. The third body paragraph could discuss the other ways the narrator is stuck in an unhealthy routine contributing to the unhappy marriage.)
Thesis 3:
The short story “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver suggests that for friendships to form, people need to be honest about who they are.
First body paragraph topic sentence:
One way the story shows that honesty is necessary for friendship is through the friendship of Robert and the narrator’s wife.
(For thesis statement 3, body paragraph one will explore Robert and the wife’s strong friendship and its basis in their honest interactions. The second body paragraph could contrast the narrator and wife’s relationship and how the narrator’s sarcasm and cynicism disguises his honest feelings. The third body paragraph could examine how Robert’s openess and acceptance of the narrator allows the narrator to open up thus forming a new friendship.
