The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe

1. The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe Type of Work: The Black Cat is a short story in the horror genre that has elements of gothic fiction. It focuses on the psyche of the narrator, who is in prison awaiting execution Publication: Poe write The Black Cat in 1842. It was first published on August 19, 1843, in The Saturday Evening Post, then known as The United States Saturday Post.

2. The Black Cat Setting: The story opens in the cell of a prisoner the day before he is to be executed by hanging. After introducing himself to readers as a man who underwent a horrifying experience, the prisoner writes down the details of his experience, which led to his imprisonment and scheduled execution. The events in his tale are set at his home and in a tavern. Although these events take place over several years, the recounting of them in writing takes place on a single day in the narrator’s prison cell. Characters: Narrator: Prisoner scheduled for execution. His loathing of a cat he once loved leads to his commission of a capital crime. Narrator’s wife: Woman of agreeable disposition who likes animals and obtains many pets for her husband. .

3. First Black Cat: Cat named Pluto that loves the narrator but irritates him when it follows him everywhere. Second Black Cat: Cat that resembles the first black cat and may be a reincarnation of the latter—or so the narrator may think. Policemen: Officers who investigate the happenings at the home of the narrator. Servant: Person working in the narrator’s household. Plot Summary: The narrator opens with a statement that he dies tomorrow. Then he tells about the horrifying events that led up to his death sentence. As he tells his story…he recalls over the years, the narrator’s disposition changed for the worse when he began to drink heavily. He became moody, shouted at this wife, and even struck her at times. One day, when the narrator and his wife went into the cellar on a household errand, the cat followed them. In a fit of rage, the narrator raised an axe to strike at the creature,

4. but the wife stopped his arm from bringing the weapon down. Demoniacal fury then told hold of him. Pulling loose his arm, he “buried the axe in her brain.” After considering various ways of disposing of her body, he decided to hide it behind the brick wall. First, he removed the bricks, Next, he stood the in the niche and replaced the bricks, using mortar to secure them in place. The narrator decided he had to put the 2nd cat to death but could not find the cat He had not seen it for a couple of days. It had disappeared maybe in fear of his wrath. After three days the narrator stated his happiness was supreme!

5. On the fourth day after the murder, police thoroughly investigated the house, but of course, found nothing. When they were about to leave, the narrator pleased at his cleverness and his ability to handle the police—began talking too much. • The narrator states, “I may say an excellently well-constructed house. “ • The rapping with the cane on the wall….the very spot of the brickwork where the corpse of his wife was placed. • The policemen heard a crying sound from within the walls, like that of a sobbing child. The cry turned into a scream. The wall was torn down by the police and discovered the decaying corpse. On its head was the black cat. Without realizing it, the narrator had walled up the cat with the body.

6. Themes • Perversity: A human being has a perverse, wicked side that can goad him into committing evil deeds. The narrator says it was this inner demon that brought about this downfall. • Alcohol Abuse: Heavy drinking can bring out the worst in a human being. Alcohol abuse alone did not cause the narrator’s violent behavior. But, as he readily acknowledges , it certainly put him in a foul mood. • Vengeance: Evil deeds invite vengeance. Pluto gets even, the narrator indicates, by causing the fire and burning the house down. In addition, is the 2nd cat really Pluto reincarnated, also, Pluto sweetens his revenge by his alerting the police with his crying behind the wall so the police would find the corpse. • The Power of suggestion: The narrator’s wife made the comment that black cats were witches in disguise. • Symbolism….the first cat Pluto…seems to symbolize death to the narrator. Also, the second cat….with a white fur pattern around it’s neck resembling the markings of noose. * one eye

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