Discussion Questions for The Black Cat

Discussion Questions for The Black Cat

Questions



1. Discuss the significance of the following quote: '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."


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


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


4. Why does he eventually mistreat the cat.


5. Describe the narrator's feelings after abusing the cat. why is that significant?


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


7. Discuss the significance if the following quote: "[I] hung it because i knew that 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."







My Answers


1. This quote is stating that your pet companion is able to give back to you in such an unselfish and self-sacrificing way that it touches the human heart.


2. Pluto the cat was given this name due to the fact that the main character felt distant from his cat. He felt that Pluto was the smallest and most insignificant animal in the house.


3. I have no answer for this question.

4. His shame keeps him from stopping maltreating the cat.


5. He says that it doesn't touch his soul. He is showing his hatread of this cat.


6. He believes that "perverseness" is at man's core, that we are Naturally evil. yes, i do agree with his definition. I also agree that it is human nature.


7. He hung the cat cause he hated what he loved and he saw the cat as a part of his-self he hated.