Edgar Allan Poe “The Black Cat”

“Black Cat” questions -- discuss in groups of three or four Why do you think the narrator able to sleep well after he conceals the body? What might the black cat(s) represent or symbolize? Use specifics – trace the evolution of the cat. From where do you think this narrartion is being written? Identify specific clues. Construct your impression of the narrator. How would you describe him – physically, mentally, emotionally? Identify specifics from the text.

Unity of Effect (Poe’s "The Philosophy of Composition,“ 1847). “having conceived, with deliberate care…if his very initial sentences tend not to the outbringing of this effect, then he has failed in his first step. In the whole composition there should be no word written, of which the tendency, direct or indirect, is not to the one pre-established design.” And by such means, with such care and skill, a picture is at length painted which leaves in the mind of him who contemplates it

Word Choice Word Choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that communicates not just in a functional way, but in a way that moves and enlightens the reader. Replace old, tired standards- for example, something other than nice, good, fun, cool, neat, really, very Use strong verbs- the heart of good writing Words that paint a picture Sensory words that help you hear, smell, feel, or touch the moment A stretch to use a new or unusual word The right word at the right moment-for example, “My socks are soggy”

Symbol Symbol: a symbol is a word or object that stands for another word or object. The object or word can be seen with the eye or not visible. For example a dove stands for Peace. The dove can be seen and peace cannot. Symbol: in general terms, anything that stands for something else. Obvious examples are flags, which symbolize a nation; the cross is a symbol for Christianity; Uncle Sam a symbol for the United States. In literature, a symbol is expected to have significance.

Unreliable Narrator Challenges natural assumption that we can trust the person telling the story. Does a character have to be deliberately lying to be unreliable? Identifying an unreliable narrator: Is he or she committed of a crime? Did they use “framing”? (And what is framing?) Do the facts start to contradict one another? Consider developmental or mental aptitude.

Image of bas relief

Oxymoron Rhetorical strategy that combines contradictory terms: “deafening silence”