A Discussion of Poe's Story the Black Cat in Light of Theories of Fantastic and Uncanny

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`Analyse Poe's story The Black Cat, in the light of the theories of the fantastic and/ or the uncanny.'

"In the genuine fantastic, there is always the external and formal possibility of a simple explanation of phenomena, but at the same time this explanation is completely stripped of internal probability,"

Vladimir Solovyov [1]

It is the adherence to this statement, which is typical of works that can be classified as literature of the fantastic genre that ensures that the implied reader of Edgar Allan Poe's tale, `The Black Cat' experiences the necessary sense of hesitation and lack of complete closure that is consistent with this genre in its pure form. The writer provides a variety of explanations for seemingly supernatural occurrences, however does not clearly outline a definitive solution for such events. Poe essentially intertwines the notions of the `natural' progression of cause and effect, with the condition of the accepted inclination of man towards perversity. In spite of such explanations, the reader is confronted with the converse realm of a mystical quality, as events that occur are perhaps too coincidental to be considered conventional. Ultimately, it is such allusion to elements of both the real and the supernatural that ensures that the intended audience vacillates between two indecisive conclusions and thus enters the dominion of the fantastic.

References: [1] Todorov, Tzvetan; `The Fantastic: A structural approach to a literary genre.' P26.

The figure of the black cat stands as a symbol of both the need for retribution, and as a means by which the supernatural element can interfere with natural order and compel the narrator to take responsibili...

... middle of paper ...

...hral his intended audience. Some readers may essentially extend their reading beyond the intended boundaries that govern this piece, whilst others may accept an unwavering perspective, that the outcomes are either the definitive result of natural occurrence, or that of the mystical realm. However, it is clear that Poe has not presented a complete sense of closure, suspending the conclusion deftly between two viable choices. Ultimately, it is because the reader is responsible for the final decision that Poe's enigmatic tale can be rendered as fantastic.

Bibliography:

Poe, Edgar Allan, `The Black Cat.' ENGL1101 Course Notes: P188- 193

Todorov, Tzvetan; `The Fantastic, A structural approach to a literary genre.' ENGL1101 Course Notes: P224- 241

Website: `www.public.coe.edu/theller/essays/delights/dt6.html

Word Count: 1498 words

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