Final answer:
Robert, who is blind, asks the narrator to describe a cathedral after listening to the television, which leads to a poignant exploration of perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
After watching and listening to the television, Robert asks the narrator to describe a cathedral to him. Robert is a blind man who tries to envision what a cathedral looks like through the narrator's description.
This request emphasizes the theme of understanding beyond the surface level, highlighting the differences in perception between the sighted character and the blind man. In their interaction, the dynamic between seeing and not seeing is explored, with the television serving as a catalyst for this conversation.
The narrator is compelled to articulate what he sees in a way that conveys meaning without relying on visual cues, challenging his own perception and communicative abilities.