Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyze the concept of communication in the worksof Raymond Carver. The initial focus will be on Cathedral, which is the most famous
collection of short stories among his writings. Carver's contribution to the concept ofminimalism has been a dominant and central critical concern. Some studies about
narrative in Carver’s works say human relationships are collapsed and the atmosphereof his stories is dark. Indeed the notion few works show an emotional connection
between characters does appear to be defensible. Therefore, in this paper, the works areanalyzed using the viewpoint of connection, and the value of his works in current worldis discusses.
At first we analyze ‘Where I’m Calling From’ and ‘Fever’ as works which do notshow construction of human relationships. The reason why characters in these twostories can’t build human relationships is that they use a telephone in theircommunications. As they communicate by telephone, they do not, of course,
communicate face to face. They can use only language in telephone communication andthis leads to regular misunderstandings between the speakers. Furthermore it is clear
through analyzing ‘Feathers’, ‘Vitamins’ and ‘The Compartment’ that a preconceived
idea of another person obstructs the construction of human relationships.
Reversedly, analysis of ‘Preservation’, reveals depiction of human relationships inthe dining scene. Therefore human relationships in ‘A Small, Good Thing’ are analyzed
through reference to its dining scene. The result clearly shows that humanrelationships are constructed when characters have meals together.
Next ‘Careful’ and ‘Chef ’s House’ are analyzed to search for other processes withinwhich human relationships are constructed. As a result, human relationships which areconstructed through physical contact – touch in these stories, are highlighted andanalyzed. Relevant here is the belief that when people touch somebody else, one
chemical substance which is called Oxytocin is secreted (Moberg; 2008). This chemical
substance works effectively to build human relationships.
‘The Bridle’ and ‘The Train’ are also focuses of analysis. Here the importance ofimagination in communication is central. The suggestion within this section of thestudy is that when people build a human relationship with someone, they have todismiss preconceived ideas and imagine the feelings of the other person. Through thisprocess, mutual empathy becomes possible.
Finally, ‘Cathedral’, which is the title story of the collection of short stories,

Cathedral, is analyzed This involves approaching all of the key discussion points —meals, touch, indirect communication, preconceived ideas and imagination, that havebeen the focus of this paper. At first the narrator of ‘Cathedral’ displays a prejudiceagainst a blind man. He feels uncomfortable that the blind man, who is an old friend of
his wife, comes to his house. They drink alcohol and have a meal together. In this story
the narrator has to explain the figure of a cathedral which is on the television. Heexplains this to a blind man, hence he can use only language. This situation resembles‘Fever’. They are similar in that they both use only language in their communication.
The narrator and the blind man can’t build a relationship at this stage. Next they draw
the figure of the cathedral together. The blind man places his hand on top of thenarrator’s hand. This is an example of touch communication. Through this process, thenarrator can dismiss a preconceived idea which he has against the blind man andempathize with him. Finally they can build a human relationship. In this and in theother stories discussed here Carver highlights the importance of empathy.
It is said that the building of human relationships has been rendered moredifficult in modern times in Japan by the social conditions active (Umeda; 2014, Kanno;2008). If people can read Carver’s stories empathically and use the power of imagination
when engaging with the characters, they can collect insights into how to build humanrelationships with others. This is the value which his stories have in the current world.