black cat

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 宁夏大学外国语学院/杜铁梅

【Abstract】 The black cat is a masterpiece of short fiction ofPoe. He successfully solved the problem of creating of the horroreffect by using scene description, symbol, repetition and firstperson narrative methods. And created a complete and unifiedmysterious terror, achieved the effect of shocking. This paperaims to discuss the mystery in-depth and to enrich the researchsystem 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 terroristatmosphere. He usually sets an environment for people, the cellar,the tomb and the dark corridor.The dim or frightening of the spacewill make the criminal mentality of the hero to be externalized.

And besides it will make the readers be immersed in theseparticular 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 asunlucky and the symbol of evil. Pluto, which is the name of theruler in Greek mythology. In mythology, Pluto is often the Godthat can represent the terrible images. So it not only covered alayer of mysterious color, but also endowed with the symbolismof evil. Its symbolic meaning is to lead people to the temptation ofdegeneration 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 fordeath and evil. While in the Middle Ages of Europe, cats can alsobe the pets of the wicked, especially for the black cats. So cats arealways with mysterious cloak. The image of cat is used to createan atmosphere of terror and produce a kind of psychological fearfor 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 firstthe relation between my wife and the cat is harmonious. Thiskind of unity is rooted in the depth of human nature as well as inphysical properties. However, as the change of the plot, this kindof unity is broken. Thus it is easy to find that the black cat Pluto isin a state of normal, harmonious and united. And it is interlinkedwith my nature and normal personality. Then the plot plummet,“i” begin to drink excessively, hit his wife and be cruel toanimals. 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 blackcat. So he tried to find another cat that is of similar appearance withPluto in the inferior places, It is also for this motivation determinesthe coming of the second black cat, but more the essence thedifference! “……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, inappearance, they are the same in addition to the chest. Secondly,they have the same habits and both like to play with us.But it makesme become more anxiety and unhappy. Because it recalls me theprevious faults and feel guilty for killing Pluto, this is a kind ofpsychological self judgment performance. This kind of fear makeshim regard the white spot on the chest of the cat as the scaffold. Insome 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, asimilar cat with white spot on his chest appeared, and the white spotgradually showed the shape of the scaffold that made the hero fear.

In other words, it awakes his crimes and causes his guilty, at thesame time, increases the terror of the work.

1.3 First-person narrative

To use the first person narration in the most iconic features inPoe’s novels and the black cat is not an exceptions, the narrator toanalyze the process of crime by the identity of the dead, languageused to be very clear and logical, and he has such a clear mind forhimself that makes him proud of himself. However, when he is asvery satisfied he betrayed his language and behavior, as a result,unveiled its own crimes. As a first person narration, he is not themouthpiece of the authors nor a reliable narrator. He pays moreattention to the arose of the mind terror. In order to achieve thiseffect and make the story to be more authenticity, the first personnarration used in most of his works. This kind of description shapesthe nervous role of the eccentric protagonist.

2. Conclusion

Although the black cat is a short story but fascinating, itis because of the usage of specific techniques to describe thewriter’s inner world.Each image is used in the paper throughthoughtful 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 perfectlyshowed the unified theory of Poe:“A smart and sophisticatednovelist who is engaged in the creation, not for his own thoughtsafter some processing shoehorned into his story, but a carefullyplanned in advance and formulate a unique, distinctive effect.”

Reflected in the black cat, a variety of writing techniques and theuse of art form is designed for pursuing terrorist effect.

References:

[1]Bloom,Clive.Reading Poe,Reading Freud:The RomanticImagination in Crisis.New York:St.Martin’s Press,1988.