Name:________________________________________________ Period:________________

“The Black Cat” Questions

Directions: Answer each question using evidence from the text.

1. Briefly describe the main characters of the story.

2. Describe the setting.

3. Where is the narrator as he writes this story?

4. What crime did the narrator commit?

5. Is he remorseful for his crime? Why or why not? What makes you think
this?

6. Why is this story considered a flashback?

7. Explain why the narrator was caught by the police?

8. Compare the two cats in the story:

Pluto 1 Pluto 2

9. How does the narrator describe himself?

10. How does the narrator behave?

11. On what does the narrator blame his behavior?

12. Discuss the disconnect between the way the narrator views himself and his
actual behavior? Does this make him a reliable narrator? Why or why not?
Explain your thoughts thoroughly.
 “The Black Cat” Questions

Directions: Answer each question using evidence from the text on a separate
sheet of paper. .

1. What is the narrator’s attitude towards having a pet? What type of pets
did the narrator and his wife have in their home?

2. Briefly describe the main characters of the story.

3. Describe the setting.

4. Where is the narrator as he writes this story?

5. What crime did the narrator commit?

6. Is he remorseful for his crime? Why or why not? What makes you think
this?

7. Why is this story considered a flashback?

8. Explain why the narrator was caught by the police.

9. Compare the two cats in the story:

Pluto 2nd Black Cat

10. How does the narrator describe himself?

11. How does the narrator behave?

12. On what does the narrator blame his behavior?

13. Discuss the disconnect between the way the narrator views himself and
his actual behavior? Does this make him a reliable narrator? Why or why
not? Explain your thoughts thoroughly.

14. What connections can you make with the story and Poe’s own personal
life?