Heather Chau on "Cathedral"

I find the way Richard speaks to the narrator interesting. He uses a demeaning term, bub, and when he asks Richard for favors, he does so in a very manipulative way. He will be very polite and mention a favor, then ask for the favor, and then command for the favor, which can be seen on page 121 and 122.

He will say (pg 121),"Hey, listen, I hope you don't mind me asking you. Can I ask you something? Let me ask you a simple question, yes or no." And on page 122, "Will you do me a favor?... Why don't you find some heavy paper? And a pen... Get us a pen and some heavy paper. Go on, bub, get the stuff".

He follows social courtesies but progressively abandons them as he speaks, becoming demanding. What this probably does for the reader and also the narrator is make Richard seem ppowerful despite his disability. Because he slowly progresses into a demanding tune that is covered up by politeness at first, it doesn't strike the reader or the narrator as rude at first but by the end of the sentence makes it feel like Richard has been commanding us and is in a position of power.