Surname 2
the story progresses, the narrator confesses and agrees that his mind has undergone an alteration
that is radical in nature. He further states that the alteration has made him worse since he has
become more moody, more irritable, and more unconscious about the feelings of others. The
transformation leads to the adopting a more absurd behaviour of mistreating animals such as the
rabbit, monkey, and the dog. He, however, abstains from mistreating Pluto, the cat. However, it
does not take long for him to mistreat Pluto. When the cat hurts him on his hand, he feels like a
demon had possessed him and reacted by removing one of the cat’s eye. His transformation
progresses as the story continues(Poe 16). He becomes more abusive and even attempts to kill
Pluto using an axe. When his wife stops him, he reacts by killing her. He later attempts to
dispose of his wife’s corpse. Evidently, he has transformed from a sane human being to a
monster.
Another theme in the story “The Black Cat” is the theme of violence. The narrator
commits many violent acts that culminate in the murder of his wife. He becomes violent by
mistreating the animals and even commits absurd actions such as removing Pluto’s eye. The
transformation which the writer undergoes makes him a violent monster. Another theme that is
closely related to the theme of violence is the theme of freedom and imprisonment. The narrator
gives the story while being confined (Poe 7). He is outlining the stories that lead to his
imprisonment. Further, there is a tension between freedom and confinement that is repeated
throughout the story. The narrator’s house is the prison of his wife and the pets he keeps. The
bedroom walls represent how the narrator has been imprisoned by Pluto.
