In this week’s episode of the LitFiction podcast, Joey, Colin, and Jennifer discuss “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe. This gothic horror story was chosen to celebrate the “Summerween” season as they dive into its themes of madness, guilt, and the supernatural. The Black Cat follows the narrator as he recounts his descent into madness, spurred by alcoholism and escalating violence, ultimately leading to a gruesome murder.

Our Thoughts

Joey starts by defending horror as a legitimate literary genre, pointing out how Poe masterfully sets up ambiguity around the source of evil—whether the narrator’s actions are influenced by the supernatural presence of the cat or by his own psychological decline. Joey emphasizes how the narrator seems trustworthy at first, which is key to the reader’s experience of horror.

“Poe does a great job of making us feel like we can trust the narrator, at least initially. He’s about to die, so why would he lie to us? It creates this ambiguity that makes the horror even more intense.”
— Joey

Colin pushes back, noting that the narrator’s repeated insistence on his own sanity actually undermines his credibility. Colin points out that Poe often uses unreliable narrators to create tension, and this story is no exception.

“When someone tells you repeatedly that they’re not mad, it makes you doubt them even more. Poe is great at creating these unreliable narrators who draw you in, but you can’t fully trust them.”
— Colin

Jennifer appreciates the timeless nature of Poe’s storytelling, highlighting how even though the story is over 180 years old, it still evokes visceral reactions in modern readers. She focuses on the role of superstition and how the black cat represents evil and guilt in the narrator’s mind.

“Even though we know that black cats aren’t actually evil, the superstition around them in this story still gives me chills. Poe taps into these primal fears that we all have.”
— Jennifer

Key Themes Discussed

• Madness and Guilt: Joey and Colin discuss the narrator’s descent into madness, which is catalyzed by his alcoholism and growing guilt. The black cat, Pluto, becomes a symbol of this guilt, haunting the narrator even after he kills it.
• Superstition and the Supernatural: Jennifer emphasizes how the story plays with the superstition of black cats being associated with witches and evil. The second cat with the white mark resembling a noose seems to embody supernatural forces, further driving the narrator’s madness.
• Unreliable Narration: Colin argues that the narrator’s insistence on his sanity makes him less trustworthy, creating ambiguity about whether the events are real or the product of his deteriorating mind.
• Hubris and Self-Destruction: The narrator’s downfall is caused by his own hubris. Colin points out the moment when the narrator boasts about the construction of his house, leading to his exposure by the cat, which mirrors classic tragic flaws found in literature.

Conclusion

The group agrees that “The Black Cat” is a masterful exploration of psychological horror, guilt, and the supernatural. Edgar Allan Poe’s use of an unreliable narrator, combined with eerie symbolism, keeps readers on edge throughout the story. The timeless themes and ambiguity make it a story that continues to resonate, even after nearly two centuries.