Having read the short story "The Black Cat" what literary element stands out the most, and what are some examples in the story.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

Answers

Revenge is ultimate in making The Black Cat a sinister story. No matter how much the man managed to destroy the cat it always seemed to come back as a higher power. In the end the cat returned, and i think purposly revealed him to authority.

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2001

a psychological downward spiral is most apparant, as throughout the story the character is built up as a caring nurturing person who loves animals/wife, only to suddenly gouge out the eye of the cat and wall up his wife in the house. Superstition is a subtle element that is also present, as the cat seems to never die & one is left wondering whether the new cat might be the same old one or perhaps a ghost of the former cat.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

I like peanut butter

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002

i like monkeys

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2002

I like peanut butter and monkeys.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

i like peanut butter covered monkeys!!!!! o yeah and chipmunks too!

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2002

The inevitable downfall of anybody who indulges the "perverseness" that is conjectured to be one of the most basic attributes of man. doing it because we know it is wrong, and don't Forget alcholism. It really was alcohol that brought to the surface, in this seemingly gentle and affectionate man, what might have been brewing all along.

I also can't help recognize the soured reaction he has for both creatures, once their novelity wears off. Despite their love for him it only increases his hatred

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2002

the tale is meant to be ironic, so i supose that would be the literary element most frequently used. when he walled up his wife in the wall, he trapped the cat in there, which was the whole reason for killing the wife , because she attempted to stop him from hitting the cat. in the end it is the cat's scream that makes the inspectors courious, and tore down the wall to see a cat run out, and the body of the missing wife. it is ironic because his own demise was due to the attempted demise of the cat.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2003

Rachel Grande. Bravo.......Bravo. u deserve a peanut butter monkey

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2003

im writing an essay- thanks rachel thats a copy and paste

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2003

Y'all are soooooooo stupid and ignorant. Some people use this website as a tool to help make a better understanding of something. Y'all have NO appericiation forweb pages like this, that HELP PEOPLE OUT! As for the question I think the anger,rage and mental insanity are the main elements. Good Luck! I hope this was a lesson to all of y'all who do stupid, ignorant , uncalled for things!!!!!!!! Holla

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2003

Have ever tasted "Black cat peanut butter"? kinda like smucker's, just better!!must be the superior South African ingredients.......Meeeeowwww ;)

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2004

I think revenge is an element but i really think that insanity is a big issue. Knowing that Poe most likely was partly insane around when he died, this stroy would make sense. The main character is TOTALLY insane. He kills his wife nd then feels relief that he is finally undisturbed and feels no remorse. Waht kind of sicko...

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2004

Insanity is definetly a key device in "The Black Cat." Don't shy away from insanity or irony in your essay. By the way, the downward spiral is an excellent way to put it. It is evident in most of his short stories and poems. GOOD LUCK!

-- Anonymous, December 16, 2004