There is something in the unselfish and self-sacrificing love of a brute, which goes directly to the heart of him who has had frequent occasion to test the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of mere Man. (Poe, 100)
Edgar Allan Poe s short story The Black Cat tells a tale of a man whose conscience is embodied by two cats. Through the use of contrasting sentiments, Poe encapsulates the image of a creature consumed so completely in his perverseness that he impulsively commits heinous crimes that involve the two cats. One of the cats evokes in him a loving resentment while the other inspires sheer hatred. His reactions show that although together they symbolize one entity, each of the cats has a different effect on the narrator s emotions.
The first cat the narrator introduces the reader to is Pluto, whom he initially describes as his favorite pet and playmate (100). The relationship between the two is one of mutual admiration, until one night when the narrator comes home drunk. He imagines that Pluto is avoiding him, and spontaneously decides to gauge one of the feline s eyes out. I experienced a sentiment half of horror, half of remorse, for the crime of which I had been guilty, but it was, at best a feeble and equivocal feeling, and the soul remained untouched. I again plunged into excess, and soon drowned in wine all memory of the deed (101). Pluto eventually recovers from the assault and consequently flees from his master whenever he approaches. At first, the cat s abandonment of the narrator causes the narrator to experience grief. However, this anguish quickly transforms into irritation and the narrator hastily hangs his cat and burns his house down. and with the bitterest remorse at my heart; -hung it because I knew that it had loved me, and because I knew that in doing so I was committing a sin a deadly sin that would so jeopardize my immortal soul as to place it if such a thing were possible even beyond the reach of the infinite mercy of the Most Merciful and Most Terrible God (102). The narrator commits this act out of pure remorse because he treats Pluto, an innocent creature that once was so dedicated to him, so cruelly. To the narrator, Pluto symbolizes all good inside of him. Hence, when he commits any wrongdoing towards the cat, he is persecuting himself. When he hangs Pluto, the narrator is hanging himself.
Whereas Pluto s relationship to the narrator was one of love and fear, the second cat s association was one which displayed utmost love and respect. After Pluto s death, another feline that has a striking resemblance to Pluto mysteriously appears in a pub at which the narrator was having drinks. It falls in love with the narrator, accompanies him home and instantly domesticates itself. Although one would think that such a loyal pet would bring joy to one s life, the animal had the opposite effect on the narrator.
For my own part, I soon found a dislike to it arising within me. This was just the reverse of what I had anticipated; but-I knew not how or why it was-its evident fondness for myself rather disgusted and annoyed me. By slow degrees these feelings of disgust and annoyance rose into the bitterness of hatred. I avoided the creature; a certain sense of shame. And the remembrance of my former deed of cruelty, preventing me from physically abusing it I came to look upon it with unutterable loathing, and to flee silently from its odious presence, as from the breath of a pestilence. (104)
While the narrator was so disturbed when Pluto was not in the same place as he was, he cannot handle the second cat s yearning to be his friend. No matter how horribly the cat is treated by the narrator, the feline persists on loving him. The main character repudiates the cat s love and in an effort to do so, attempts to kill the cat, unsuccessfully.
Although Pluto and the other cat trigger conflicting feelings in the narrator, they bring out his true character. Incorporating these completely inverse situations between each of the cats and the narrator illustrates Poe s belief that man is essentially a rule-breaking character. To the narrator, there was merit in killing the cat in that a moral law forbade it. The main character misses Pluto when he is not in the same locale as him, but loathes the second cat that will not leave his side. These are two very distinct views.
An ever-present theme in Edgar Allan Poe s The Black Cat , the spirit of perverseness explains the odd, almost unbelievable conduct of the narrator. While the two cats induce completely different reactions from the narrator, his response is the same to each of them. When Pluto avoids the narrator, the result is Pluto s death, and when the second cat gets too close to the narrator, the death of the narrator s completely loving and innocent wife results. Poe s picture of a man so affected by two cats and his reactions to their behaviors paints a perfect picture of how truly immoral man can be.
Другие работы по теме:
Black Magic Essay Research Paper More and
Black Magic Essay, Research Paper More and more people are joining groups that practice black magic. The leader of The British Occult Society is convinced it is because many people are missing excitement in their daily lives. He is certain that these people are imagining that they in that way can experience things they have read about or are dreaming about.
Black Bear Essay Research Paper Matt MeaneyPeriod
Black Bear Essay, Research Paper Matt Meaney Period 6 Extra Credit 4/2/00 The presentation given on the black bears on April Second was generally to me at least too appeared almost fake. I didn’t understand how he says they wouldn’t attack you, and it’s just a bluff charge, when just this year a woman in Boonton was attacked as well as her dog by a black bear.
Black Beauty Essay Research Paper This story
Black Beauty Essay, Research Paper This story is about a horse that has a couple of names like Black Beauty and Black Jack. His first owners are the people at Berwick Park, where they treat him well and Sir John is the guy that takes care of him. Joe is a young apprentice who is learning of how to take care of horses becomes a good friend of Black Beauty.
Funeral Essay Research Paper Funeral
Funeral Essay, Research Paper Funeral Was there a specter at the funeral of local resident Mrs. Drablow? An unexplained sighting of a mysterious woman in black has fuelled local legends of
BLACK Essay Research Paper BLACK IS THE
BLACK Essay, Research Paper BLACK IS THE HOLE DEEP IN OUR HEARTS THE LONELINESS WE FEEL, WHEN OUR LOVED ONES DEPART BLACK IS THE COLOR OF THE HEAVENLY SKY THE COLOR YOU WEAR
Bluest Eye Essay Research Paper The Bluest
Bluest Eye Essay, Research Paper The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison, was written during the Black Revolt of the 1960?s. At a time when Negroes were not going to allow themselves to be segregated
The Black Essay Research Paper The Courageous
The Black Essay, Research Paper The Courageous Black Stallion! Here is a tale of an incredibly courageous black stallion. Down on Hopeful farm there is a guy named Alec Ramsay. One night he couldn’t sleep because he knew something was wrong. He got up and went to the barn where on a desk there was a paper about the insurance on the barn, it said it was canceled! There was a horse, Miz Liz, that Snappy, the foaling guy, was supposed to foal.
Black Essay Research Paper Black Soldiers in
Black Essay, Research Paper Black Soldiers in the Union Army During the Seventeenth, Eighteenth and part of the Nineteenth Century the White People of North America used the Black people of Africa as slaves to benefit their interests. White people created a climate of superiority of their race over the Black African race that in some places, still lingers on today.
Black Holes Essay Research Paper Our universe
Black Holes Essay, Research Paper Our universe is a vast abyss, always expanding without any end. Many objects in space are exciting and interesting. One great mystery is the black hole. Ever
African American Studies Essay Research Paper Ryan
African American Studies Essay, Research Paper Ryan Bradley3/1/00 As African Americans become equal citizens in America they need to establish their own aims and ideas as people. African Americans must do
Rock N Roll Essay Research Paper From
Rock N Roll Essay, Research Paper From jazz and boogie of the thirties moved popular music away from the light entertainment of the theater toward a more exiting and dance oriented style that made the swing era a golden age. Do to jazz moving into rhythm and blues black people were recognized for talents in music and dance.
Calpurnia Essay Research Paper Calpurnia acts like
Calpurnia Essay, Research Paper Calpurnia acts like she?s the mother of Scout and Jem. Not only does she cook and clean for the Finch?s, she also disciplines, advises, and takes care of all Jem?s and Scout?s needs. Cal is an extremely well educated black woman who lives in two very opposite worlds. In one world she is the mother of two white children and she speaks like them.
Dry September Essay Research Paper Dry SeptemberIndividually
Dry September Essay, Research Paper Dry September Individually none of the men would have attack the black man, but the crowd mentality caused them to take actions that they normally wouldn?t have. The client, McLendon, and the youth are three prime examples of men who become influenced and dependent on the others.
Solar Oven Essay Research Paper Solar OvenWhy
Solar Oven Essay, Research Paper Solar Oven Why it will work: It will work because the cold air under the box will be separated by four (4) wood pegs. The black, non-glossy paint will attract heat, rather than
Reapers Review Essay Research Paper Black reapers
Reapers Review Essay, Research Paper Black reapers are getting ready to harvest the field. Black horses may be the slaves that drive the mower through the fields. They are hardened by the treatment that they get because they just drive over the rat. When Toomer says it is “a thing that’s done” he means without thinking.
Bubonic Plague Essay Research Paper THE SPREAD
Bubonic Plague Essay, Research Paper THE SPREAD OF THE BUBONIC PLAGUE Many have been affected by the plague that has traveled from China – Europe. The plague was said to be carried by rats and fleas, say reasearchers. This plague is known in other places as The Black Death.
The Cold Within Essay Research Paper The
The Cold Within Essay, Research Paper The Cold Within Six humans trapped by happenstance in black and bitter cold Each possessed a stick of wood, Or so the story’s told.
The Wedding Essay Research Paper In The
The Wedding Essay, Research Paper In ?The Wedding,? by Dorothy West, the major development I saw was in the character of Shelby. From the beginning till the end, the character changes and deals with many changes. Throughout the novel Shelby knows what she wants, knows she never gave a black a chance, and then decides whom she will marry.
Black Death Essay Research Paper Black Death
Black Death Essay, Research Paper Black Death This month there was a big disaster. It wasn t a war or an earthquakes. It was the 14th century plague that swept Europe called the Black Death. It first came from Central Asia then kept moving to Europe. It can kill many people in just months. The source of what gives off this disease is unknown.
Analysis Langston Huges Theme For English B
Essay, Research Paper The instructor directs the poet to write at home, at night and from the heartand soul of the writer. The instructor is Caucassion, the poet black and or African American. The poet finds it necessary to begin by describing hissurroundings. Harlem is usually a strong sign that the residents are black.He resides at the YMCA showing he is also in a low income bracket.
Circuit Switches Essay Research Paper Beloware a
Circuit Switches Essay, Research Paper Below are a variety of switches that are suitable for the circuit.Advantages: Slim design Illuminated versions CheapDisadvantages: Not easy activateAdvantages: PCB
Black Panther Party Essay Research Paper Black
Black Panther Party Essay, Research Paper Black Panther Party In 1966 two men started an organization called the Black Panther Party (BPP). The BPP was founded by Huey Norton and Bobby Seale. The first time BPP attracted attention was May 1967. The FBI blamed the BPP for riots and other violence.
Race Essay Research Paper Race a
Race Essay, Research Paper Race ? a sense of identity What is the definition of race? We divide people into groups by their skin color – black, yellow and whites. Maybe it is time to change this. The Swedish population and other populations as well, are nowadays a mixed group of people. White people are black people’s neighbors, doctors and friends.
Black Man Of Civil War Essay Research
Paper One of the things that were important at war was that the Blacks proving themselves was that of the Black Man acting as a soldier in the Civil War. During the Civil War the decision to use Blacks as soldiers in the
Black Boy Paper Essay Research Paper Black
Black Boy Paper Essay, Research Paper Black Boy Paper When put into a foreign environment animal s adept, so do humans when they need to learn they ways of life. Richard Wright, due to his surroundings, had to adapt and become independent early in his life. In the book, Black Boy, Richard shows how he progressively became independent in his writings.
Black Holes 4 Essay Research Paper Black
Black Holes 4 Essay, Research Paper Black Holes area region of space-time, which nothing can escape, even light. It is impossible to see a black hole directly because no light can escape from them; they are black. But there are good reasons to think they exist.
Black Boy Analysis Essay Research Paper Black
Black Boy Analysis Essay, Research Paper Black Boy From the early days of Richard s childhood, Richard was always alienated from his environment. Even though he tried to distance himself from the prejudice all around him, the white people still tried to turn him into the stereotypical southern black person.
The Black Hole Essay Research Paper The
The Black Hole Essay, Research Paper The Black Hole In order to understand what exactly a black hole is, we must first take a look at the basis for the cause of a black hole. All black holes are formed from the gravitational collapse of a star, usually having a massive core. A star is created when huge gas clouds come together due to attractive forces and form a hot core, combined from all the energy of the two gas clouds.
Summary And Responce To
“Black English” Essay, Research Paper Summary and Response Word Count 366 Summary In the essay titled, ?If Black English Isn?t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is??
AfroAmerican Dance Essay Research Paper Samuel A
Afro-American Dance Essay, Research Paper Samuel A. Floyd, Jr. stated in his essay that the development of Black music and Black dance in the United States each influenced the other in their mutually dependent evaluations. In Floyd’s essay he touch’s base with only some of the numerously wide variety of historical dancers, dances of the Afro-American culture, and music compositions that lead to the development of Black dance in the United States.
Baseball Essay Research Paper Robinson Jackiefirst black
Baseball Essay, Research Paper Robinson, Jackie first black baseball player in the U.S. major leagues during the 20th century, an infielder and outfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League from 1947 through 1956.
Color Of Water Essay Research Paper One
Color Of Water Essay, Research Paper One aspect of identity where feedback can be given almost instantaneously is race, as it involves a person’s skin color. Young children often ignore each others’ races unless they
Black Ice Essay Research Paper Black Ice
Black Ice Essay, Research Paper Black Ice Essay ?The distance between where we were and the ideal kept us all in a painful reaching, jumping, leaping at the sky.?