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the black cat
Shanele Grant
Mr. Deverell
ENG4C1
23 September 2014

The Black Cat

In the short story the black cat there is evidence that points to many different things that could have motivated the narrator to explain not only reason behind his actions but also as to why he chooses to share his story. To being, early on in the story the author states “but to-morrow I die, and today I would unburthen my soul” this quote states that the author feels guilt and remorse about his crimes. It also proves that he has a conscious and instead of dying with such actions in his mind he chooses to clear his mind by writing out his story. In a second case, there’s also evidence that point to the consideration that he might be bipolar. As the story progresses he exclaims his love and adoration for his cat saying “Pluto- this was that cats name- was my favorite pet and play mate” but not too long after he explain his actions of coming home from a night of drinking and says “the fury of a demon instantly possessed me. I knew my self no longer… I took from my waistcoat-pocket a pen knife and opened it, grasped the poor beast by the throat, and deliberately cut one of its eyes from the socket”. There are many things that could have led to him acting upon his favorite pet in such a manner, but because he claimed this in such a short period of time there is evidence of bipolar disorder. Something that wasn’t common found of well understood in that time. There much evidence to be found in the story that could have motivated the writer’s actions but two main ones are his remorse and guilt towards his actions and his bipolar manner he held towards his cat Pluto.
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