The Setting This is a plot diagram for the Black Cat.
The story The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe takes place in a typical 1800’s township, comprised of the homes of business owners and other middle class jobs. This regular neighborhood allows the reader to better relate to the characters and the story itself. The tale appears to be during the during the span of Poe’s life, which was from 1809 until 1849. Being that the story takes place in a town during the early 19th century it justifies the narrator's actions. For example, in modern society there are many regulations that have cracked down on animal abuse, if the story were to take place now after a first or second offense of animal abuse he would have been arrested. Being arrested would have led to his demise sooner and prevent him from having dealt any harm to other beings. The time and place both have major impact on the story.
How do you think the story would change if it was set in the middle ages? Discuss.
Characters
The Narrator- The narrator in the story The Black Cat is an adult male who enjoys animals and drinking. In addition to this, the narrator is a violent man who often has fits of rage in which he abuses and mistreats his animals. On one particular occasion after coming home highly intoxicated from a bar, the man gouges his cats eye out with a knife. This shows the narrators violent, and temperamental personality. However, the narrator also claims that he loves animals which shows his more sympathetic side. Based on this information it is logical to conclude that the narrator is a round character, because he has a variety of traits. The narrator in the story is a dynamic character. In the beginning of the story the man is very fond of animals, and is impartial towards drinking. But by the end, he has grown a hatred for animals, particularly cats, and is a total drunk. Without trying to spoil the ending, the narrator is the antagonist. The narrator commits evil deeds and there is a character who opposes him.
The Wife- The narrator’s wife is another main character in the story. She is kind, nurturing, and also has a love for animals. Being that she is an animal lover, later in the story she tries to prevent the narrator from harming the animals. The wife is a flat character who does not change in a significant way throughout the story. She is opposed to how the narrator abuses the animals, because of this she is the protagonist. She reflects good ideals that oppose those of the narrator. Lastly, the wife of the narrator is a flat character. While she has many traits they are very similar and reflect her good heart.
Pluto- Pluto is a black cat, the narrator’s favorite pet. Pluto is very fond of the narrator and follows him around. However, after the narrator harmed Pluto the cat becomes very belligerent. This proves that Pluto is a dynamic character because he changes throughout the story. It is hard to say whether Pluto is a round character, because he changed which reveals his many traits. Lastly, and most importantly Pluto acts as a foil. Without ruining the ending Pluto triggers several key events, and he moves the plot along.
The Second Black Cat- The second black cat is very similar to Pluto in the sense that they are both black cats who were the narrator was very fond of, and grew to hate. The second black cat is also loved by the wife of the narrator. Since the cat is not in the story for very long not many traits are revealed, but one important trait is mischievous. This trait makes him a foil in the story, when he triggers the climax.
Have you ever read a story where the main character is the antagonist like this one? Please put it on the table for discussion. How did it affect the story?
Point of View
The narrator in the story the Black Cat is the man who mistreats and abuses the animals. This man is the main character and antagonist. The story is told from his point of view, and is therefore is told from the first person. As in many of Poe’s other stories the narrator is unreliable. At the very beginning of the story the narrator states, “Yet, mad I am not,” (Poe 1). By stating that he is not mad it makes the reader think that he is indeed insane. Also, the narrator describes the events in detail but, what he is describing might not be what actually happened. For example, at the end of the novel the narrator thinks the second black cat is a monster and describes the meow as, “A wailing shriek, half of horror and half of triumph, such as might have arisen only out of hell,” (Poe 7). This is a great exaggeration and reveals how the narrator might not be one hundred percent truthful because in reality it was just a regular “meow”.
How do you think the story would change if it was told from a different point of view? Discuss.
Plot Structure
Narrative Hook: The narrative hook in this story is when the narrator asks is reflecting on what he has done and asks the reader to listen to his tale. This intrigues the reader, and makes them want to keep reading. The narrator pulls and ties the reader in. Once within his reach, it is impossible to get out.
Exposition: The exposition occurs once the flashback has started the main characters including the narrator himself, his wife, and Pluto are introduced. The exposition also gives insight to their lives, for example the narrator’s loves and hobbies are shown.
Rising Action: The rising action is comprised of many small or miniature climax’s that all build up to main climax. The mini climax’s move the plot along and keep the reader on the edge of their seat and keeps them wanting to know what happens next. An example of a mini climax is when the narrator gouges out Pluto’s eye with a knife, this event keeps the reader engaged in the story.
Climax: Our group does not want to spoil the story, but the climax is a turning point in the story. The event that does happen is a major plot twist, and is definitely not expected. Our group highly suggests you read the story to find out what happens.
Falling Action: The falling action occurs after the climax, when the narrator blows his cover, thus resulting in his demise.
Resolution: The resolution is that the narrator was sent to jail, and is on his going to receive punishment for his actions.*
In this story there are both internal and external conflicts. An example of an internal conflict is the narrator’s struggle with controlling his alcohol. Alcohol becomes a part of him, but it leads to him making decisions he would not necessarily make if he was not intoxicated. One external conflict is between him and Pluto. The narrator and the cat develop a mutual hatred for each other, which is only solved when one or the others down fall occurs. The narrator never does get his alcoholism under control, and the cat, Pluto, is murdered by the narrator. There are more conflicts but the story would be ruined if we elaborated, we have already said too much.
*NOTE: There is more information but we don’t want to spoil the story.
Themes
There are several themes some include:
Evil actions can come to haunt you in the end- This theme is relevant because the narrator commits a wrong deed, and it comes back to “bite him in the butt”. The theme is not directly stated, but is a very important message that can be seen.
Alcohol can control you- This theme is another theme that is not stated, but is implied. The theme is an important life lesson that promotes making appropriate actions.
Think before you act or the result might not be what you wanted- This theme is present all of the time in real life, so often do people react rather than thinking something through. In this story the narrator makes decisions before he has time to think them through and they have a negative result. This is another theme that is implied, because it is not directly stated by the narrator.
Based on what you know can you suggest any other themes? How can we apply them to real life?
