* Initial Prejudice: The narrator is initially prejudiced against Robert, a blind man. He sees him as a burden, a symbol of difference and even pity. This is evident in his descriptions of Robert and his initial reluctance to meet him.
* The Revelation of Empathy: As the story progresses, the narrator's perspective starts to shift. He becomes increasingly moved by Robert's kindness, his humor, and his ability to connect with the world despite his blindness. The act of drawing the cathedral together with Robert opens the narrator's eyes to the deeper truths of empathy and connection.
* Robert's Inner World: Robert's blindness isn't presented as a tragic limitation. Instead, Carver reveals Robert's rich inner life, his deep understanding of human emotions, and his ability to see beyond the physical world. The narrator, through his interactions with Robert, begins to see the world with a new perspective.
* The Cathedral as a Metaphor: The drawing of the cathedral is a powerful metaphor for the way Robert and the narrator connect. The narrator's initial crude attempts at the drawing represent his limited understanding of the world, while Robert's guidance and the final shared experience of drawing the cathedral symbolize a deeper understanding and empathy.
In essence, the narrator's journey in "Cathedral" is about confronting his prejudices and opening himself to the possibility of understanding and connection with someone very different from himself. Robert, in his complexity and humanity, challenges the narrator's assumptions and forces him to grow.