The Black Cat questions
Do the use of italics and capital letters help set the tone of the story? If so, how? Would the story have been better or worse without these touches? Check out our discussions of "Tone" and "Writing Style" if this angle interests you.
Does "The Black Cat" remind you of any other stories you've read, or movies you've seen? What are the similarities, differences?
How do you feel about cats? Did the story change your feelings? If so, how?
Do you think there are two black cats, or just one?
Does the story gives any clues as to how or by whom the fire was started? If so, what are they? If not, does this comment on the story as a whole in some significant way?
How does the narrator explain his early behavior and disposition towards
animals and others in the beginning of his story? Provide at least two
examples that help the reader to understand how the narrator behaved early
on.
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What reason does the narrator give for his drasti" "hange in disposition and
temperament towards his wife and pets? xplain the way in whi"h the
narrator tortures and kills his "at$ luto.
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What o""urs on the evening of the day that the narrator kills luto?
&.
How does the narrator try to explain the plastered image of a giganti" "at
with a rope around its ne"k that mysteriously appears on the bedroom wall?