Discussion Questions for The Black Cat

Discussion Questions for The Black Cat

 

1. Discuss the significance of the following: “There is something 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 man.”

 

The significance of this statement is describing that a dog will always love you in spite of how you treat it.  A dogs love is forever.

 

2. What is the significance of the cat’s name, Pluto?

 

The significance of the cat’s name is that it represents the planet Pluto. This planet is very dark and has no life on it just like the cat and Edgar Allan Poe.

 

3. Why did the narrator initially restrain himself from maltreating the cat while maltreating other animals?

 

He was able to restrain himself by killing other animals and his wife first.  The only reason why he didn’t kill the cat is because he only kills the things that love him.

 

4. Why does he eventually mistreat the cat?

 

He eventually mistreated the cat because the cat bit him and he just couldn’t restrain himself any longer.

 

5. Describe the narrator’s feelings after abusing the cat. Why is that significant?

 

In the beginning he had a feeling of “why did I kill the cat” but he didn’t mind killing it. The reason why this is significant is because he has no conscious and just doesn’t care.

 

6. How does the narrator define “perverseness”? Do you agree with the definition? Do you agree that it is human nature?

 

The narrator defines perverseness by describing Edgar Allan Poe as a cranky person.  No, I do not agree with the definition.  I agree that that it is human nature.

 

7. Discuss the significance of the following quote: “I hung it because I knew it had loved me, and because I felt it had given me no reason of offense, because I knew that in doing so I was committing a sin.

 

He killed everything that loved him and the cat loved him.