black cat 宁夏大学外国语学院
【Abstract】The black cat is a masterpiece of short fiction of
Poe. He successfully solved the problem of creating of the horror
effect by using scene description, symbol, repetition and first-
person narrative methods. And created a complete and unified
mysterious terror, achieved the effect of shocking. This paper
aims to discuss the mystery in-depth and to enrich the research
system in Poe’s novels.
【Key words】black cat; terror atmosphere; effect; image;
symbol; description
1. The reflection of terror effect
1.1 Description of the scenes
Poe is the ace who uses scenes to add shading to the terrorist
atmosphere. He usually sets an environment for people, the cellar,
the tomb and the dark corridor.The dim or frightening of the space
will make the criminal mentality of the hero to be externalized.
And besides it will make the readers be immersed in these
particular scenarios as show in the following text:
1.2 Usage of symbols
1.2.1 The black cat Pluto
In western legend, the black cat is always regarded as
unlucky and the symbol of evil. Pluto, which is the name of the
ruler in Greek mythology. In mythology, Pluto is often the God
that can represent the terrible images. So it not only covered a
layer of mysterious color, but also endowed with the symbolism
of evil. Its symbolic meaning is to lead people to the temptation of
degeneration and crime. 'In this literature work, there are two cats,
one is called Pluto, then what does the other represent for ? Pluto,
which is the name of a planet in Roman tales and it represents for
death and evil. While in the Middle Ages of Europe, cats can also
be the pets of the wicked, especially for the black cats. So cats are
always with mysterious cloak. The image of cat is used to create
an atmosphere of terror and produce a kind of psychological fear
for the readers. And this story is unfolding in such an atmosphere,
besides the readers are shrouded in such a condition.
From the description of the writer we can judge that at first
the relation between my wife and the cat is harmonious. This
kind of unity is rooted in the depth of human nature as well as in
physical properties. However, as the change of the plot, this kind
of unity is broken. Thus it is easy to find that the black cat Pluto is
in a state of normal, harmonious and united. And it is interlinked
with my nature and normal personality. Then the plot plummet,
“i”begin to drink excessively, hit his wife and be cruel to
animals. That is to say his nature personality begins to lose.
1.2.2 The second cat
It is written in the work that “i” regret to kill the first black
cat. So he tried to find another cat that is of similar appearance with
Pluto in the inferior places, It is also for this motivation determines
the coming of the second black cat, but more the essence the
difference! “……I began to feel sad about losing the animal.
So I began to look for another one……”. Under such condition,
the second cat appeared, which is similar to Pluto. Firstly, in
appearance, they are the same in addition to the chest. Secondly,
they have the same habits and both like to play with us.But it makes
me become more anxiety and unhappy. Because it recalls me the
previous faults and feel guilty for killing Pluto, this is a kind of
psychological self judgment performance. This kind of fear makes
him regard the white spot on the chest of the cat as the scaffold. In
some way, the image of cat contains the image of self judgment.
The white spot on the cat is also important image in the story,
from the story we know that few days after Pluto was hanged, a
similar cat with white spot on his chest appeared, and the white spot
gradually showed the shape of the scaffold that made the hero fear.
In other words, it awakes his crimes and causes his guilty, at the
same time, increases the terror of the work.
1.3 First-person narrative
To use the first person narration in the most iconic features in
Poe’s novels and the black cat is not an exceptions, the narrator to
analyze the process of crime by the identity of the dead, language
used to be very clear and logical, and he has such a clear mind for
himself that makes him proud of himself. However, when he is as
very satisfied he betrayed his language and behavior, as a result,
unveiled its own crimes. As a first person narration, he is not the
mouthpiece of the authors nor a reliable narrator. He pays more
attention to the arose of the mind terror. In order to achieve this
effect and make the story to be more authenticity, the first person
narration used in most of his works. This kind of description shapes
the nervous role of the eccentric protagonist.
2. Conclusion
Although the black cat is a short story but fascinating, it
is because of the usage of specific techniques to describe the
writer’s inner world.Each image is used in the paper through
thoughtful arrangement, so not only create terrorist atmosphere,
but also on the readers formed a great attraction to the readers.
The building of terrorist atmosphere in the black cat perfectly
showed the unified theory of Poe:“A smart and sophisticated
novelist who is engaged in the creation, not for his own thoughts
after some processing shoehorned into his story, but a carefully
planned in advance and formulate a unique, distinctive effect.”
Reflected in the black cat, a variety of writing techniques and the
use of art form is designed for pursuing terrorist effect.
References:
[1]Bloom,Clive.Reading Poe,Reading Freud:The Romantic
Imagination in Crisis.New York:St.Martin’s Press,1988.
