us death, reality versus fantasy, and sanity versus insanity. When those themes are applied to each act of violence, it presents a unique view into the mind of the main character, as well as the story as a whole. Probably the most interesting way of interpreting "The Black Cat" is using the Feminist Criticism. The main character's wife plays a key role in the development and resolution of the story. Although the reader is only given limited information about the wife, it is in her actions that the reader learns the most about her. The Feminist critic of the Twentieth Century would view the wife as oppressed and weak, and probably question why the wife has not left the main character. It is important to remember that this story was written in the mid-nineteenth century, when divorce was a rarity. The main character does indeed treat his wife very poorly even before her murder. Much of this violent behavior inflicted on his wife stems from the main character's alcohol problem. Though it is evident that the main character does marvel at his wife's patience with him, the main character never expresses any sentiments of affection throughout the story. What exemplifies the wife's role in the main character's life is her murder. Although he kills her in a fit of rage, and not in any premeditated fashion, he shows no remorse while she lies dead in the cellar. His only concern is the removal of her body. The Feminist critic would view this as an attack on the value of the wife's life. Of course there is no way of knowing how Poe wished the audience to see the wife, but it is very likely that she serves no other purpose than to link the black cat to the main character's demise. This view alone would offend the feminist critic who views the wife as a much more integral part of the story.No matter which critical interpretation is used, it is evident that Poe's "The Black Cat" is a unique story that relies on key aspects, such as grap...
