<P> The extent to which the narrator claims to have loved his animals suggests mental instability in the form of having "too much of a good thing". His partiality for animals substitutes "the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of mere Man". Since the narrator's wife shares his love of animals, he likely thinks of her as another pet, seeing as he distrusts and dislikes humans . Additionally, his failure to understand his excessive love of animals foreshadows his inability to explain his motives for his actions . </P> <P> One of Poe's darkest tales, "The Black Cat" includes his strongest denunciation of alcohol . The narrator's perverse actions are brought on by his alcoholism, a "disease" and "fiend" which also destroys his personality . The use of the black cat evokes various superstitions, including the idea voiced by the narrator's wife that they are all witches in disguise . Poe owned a black cat . In his "Instinct vs Reason--A Black Cat" he stated: The writer of this article is the owner of one of the most remarkable black cats in the world - and this is saying much; for it will be remembered that black cats are all of them witches . In Scottish and Irish mythology, the Cat Sìth is described as being a black cat with a white spot on its chest, not unlike the cat the narrator finds in the tavern . The titular cat is named Pluto after the Roman god of the Underworld . </P> <Ul> <Li> The Doppelgänger--see also "William Wilson" </Li> <Li> Guilt--see also "The Tell - Tale Heart" </Li> </Ul> <Li> The Doppelgänger--see also "William Wilson" </Li>

What is the plot of the black cat