The Black Cat Annotated

1. In “The Black Cat,” the narrator says, “There is something in the unselfish and self-sacrificing love of a brute, which goes directly to the heart of him who has frequent occasion to test the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of man.” The narrator states how his relationships with other people are small and meager. He implies humans are not trustworthy nor are they dependable. In comparison to humans, the author is trying to express how animals are sympathetic creatures who love their owners in an unselfish and self-sacrificing way. Based on the narrator’s perspective, animals, such as cats, birds, goldfish, rabbits, etc., are loyal and loving individuals. Nevertheless, throughout the entire story, the narrator is perceived as an alcoholic …show more content…
The description of the cat as “sagacious” contributes to the meaning of the story by it allows the readers to understand a character trait of Pluto. Since sagacious means wise and a shrewd, we can conclude Pluto is an intelligent cat. It is understood that because Pluto was abused by the main character, he will try and outsmart the narrator. In the story, after the house burned down, the only thing remaining was a compartment wall with a rope around Pluto’s neck. This causes the main character to experience terror, feel like he is being haunted, and become anxious. Thus, this is the first part as to how Pluto outsmarts the storyteller. Nevertheless, there was another cat who had his eye cut off and a white splotch on his body. Based on this, the audience can infer Pluto did not actually die and he has come back to haunt the main character. Furthermore, he followed the narrator around so he can live with him again. By doing this, the killing and the “death” of Pluto haunts the storyteller and makes him become a maniac. As a result, this shows sagacious Pluto outsmarting the …show more content…
The significance of the narrator’s change of disposition from docile and tender to “…more moody, more irritable and regardless of the feelings of others” is the result of alcohol. In the beginning of the story, the main character is a loving and sweet person who loves animals. On the first page, it said, “Pluto—this was the cat’s name—was my favorite pet and playmate. I alone fed him, and he attended me wherever I went about the house. It was even with difficulty that I could prevent him from following me through the streets.” Based on this, the main character is perceived as a caring and compassionate person. He loves his cat, Pluto, and plays with him. Though, as the story progresses, the audience can understand his change in character. As said in the short story, the Fiend Intemperance was what caused him radical alteration for the worst. The Fiend Intemperance was his addiction to alcohol. His love for alcohol is the cause of him being cold and heartless. This even is what makes him kill the cat and his wife. From the beginning of the story to the end of the story, the narrator changed from a compassionate human being to a monster. Eventually, alcohol is the cause of why the narrator is more moody and more irritable. It seems the author, Edgar Allen Poe, demonstrates the storyteller’s change in emotions in order to show the readers the detrimental effects drinking alcohol can do a