"The Black Cat" research paper outline

Narratological Dynamics.” Studies in Short Fiction. Spring1998, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p153. 15p

Thesis statement: Ed Piacentino focuses on the narratological dynamics of “The Black Cat” and applies selected methodology of the French critic Gerard Genette.

I. Poe did not intend to unfold the murder of his wife

A. Poe states “From my infancy I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition. My tenderness of heart was even so conspicuous as to make me the jest of my companions. (850)

B. 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” (850)

C. The quotes show how Poe coped with his wife’s death and tried to keep his emotions bottled in (850)

II. Poes wife was very superstitious

A She referred to black cats as “witches in disguise” (850)

B. She was not fond of the relationship between Poe and his cat Pluto (850-851)

III. Poe chooses to show objects of affection to his pets

A. Poe has a variety of pets that he chose to show his emotion and affection to (850)

B. Poe possesses his emotion to pets and uses this as a defense mechanism according to Robert B. Ewen (29)

IV. Poe had pure hatred towards to new cat that could have been a hallucination

A. Poe says that the new cat “disgusted and annoyed” him and it turned to pure hatred (854)

B. When he bought the cat home to his wife she grew fond of it and Poe suddenly began to feel a dislike and un fondness arising within him (854)