Characters
Who is the narrator of the story?
The Narrator (unnamed)
What event leads the narrator to become cruel to his animals, including Pluto?
The narrator's alcoholism
Where does the narrator first encounter the second black cat?
His favorite bar.
How does the narrator describe his love for animals in his youth?
Deep and lifelong
What is the main theme explored in the story, related to the consequences of the narrator's actions?
The destructive consequences of unchecked anger and violence.
The narrator's wife is described as kind and gentle. What is her name?
Not mentioned in the passage.
Why does the narrator initially feel sad when the second black cat runs away from him?
Because it reminds him of Pluto's love and trust.
What part of the house does the narrator hide his wife's body?
The cellar.
What does the narrator blame for his increasingly violent behaviour?
Himself and his alcoholism.
The narrator mentions a strange human tendency to hurt what they love. What literary concept does this represent?
Self-destructiveness.
What is the name of the narrator's first cat, who is described as a beautiful black animal?
Pluto
What is the immediate cause of the narrator killing Pluto?
A sudden fit of rage caused by Pluto biting him.
What detail suggests the narrator lives in a place with neighbours?
The police asking questions about his wife and neighbours visiting after the fire.
What does the narrator say about his feelings of guilt after harming Pluto?
He doesn't feel strong remorse initially.
How does the story portray the relationship between humans and animals?
A complex one, with animals offering unconditional love but ultimately being helpless to human cruelty.
Besides Pluto, what other animals did the narrator keep as pets? (any two)
Birds, fish, dog, chickens
How does the fire in the narrator's house connect to the image of the cat on the wall?
The fire burned the plaster, revealing the hidden shape of the cat hanging on the wall.
What is the narrator's occupation?
Not mentioned in the passage.
How does the narrator describe his fear of the second black cat?
Irrational and extreme
The narrator's descent into violence is fueled by his descent into what other vice?
Alcoholism.
What is the strange marking on the second black cat's chest that terrifies the narrator?
The shape of gallows (a hanging frame)
What action by the narrator ultimately leads to the discovery of his wife's body?
The narrator knocking on the wall where he hid his wife's body with the cat trapped inside.
What is the narrator's emotional state when he returns to the house after the fire?
Detached and almost happy.
What does the narrator confess about his state of mind after murdering his wife?
He feels calm and even sleeps well.
Despite the narrator's crimes, what element of hope or justice is suggested in the ending?
The discovery of the body suggests that evil deeds will eventually be revealed and punished.