Quiz & Worksheet - The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe | Study.com - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Quiz & Worksheet - The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe | Study.com
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Quiz & Worksheet - The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe | Study.com
Let’s go through each question one by one. Since you need to choose 15 out of 16, I’ll answer all 16 so you can pick the ones you like best. Each answer is 1–2 complete sentences, as required.
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1. How did the narrator change over the years? Why do you think he became this way?
The narrator changed from being kind and gentle to violent and cruel, especially toward animals and his wife. He likely became this way because of alcoholism and growing madness that twisted his personality.
2. What did the narrator do to the cat after returning home intoxicated one night? Why did he do this?
He cut out one of the cat’s eyes with a penknife. He did it because he was drunk and felt irritated by the cat avoiding him, which made him angry.
3. How did the narrator feel about what he did to the cat?
At first, he felt some guilt, but soon he lost all remorse and even began to hate the cat more. His conscience faded as his evil behavior grew worse.
4. What are the reasons the narrator gives for hanging Pluto?
He says he hanged Pluto because the cat avoided him and because he wanted to punish it — but really, it was due to his own inner evil and drunken rage. He claims it was an impulse he couldn’t control.
5. What happened the night he hung Pluto? Was this a coincidence?
That same night, his house caught fire and burned down, leaving only one wall standing — with the image of a cat on it. It wasn’t a coincidence; Poe uses it to show supernatural punishment or the narrator’s guilty mind projecting fear.
6. Why did one wall remain after the fire?
The wall remained because freshly plastered walls don’t burn easily — but the story suggests it stayed so the ghostly cat image could appear as a sign of guilt or fate.
7. How was the new cat different from Pluto? Explain what the difference might represent.
The new cat looked just like Pluto except it had a white patch on its chest and only one eye. This difference might represent how guilt changes things — nothing is ever truly the same again after doing something wrong.
8. Why did the narrator begin to dislike the new cat?
He disliked it because it reminded him of Pluto and his crime, and because it followed him everywhere, making him feel watched and guilty. The cat seemed to judge him silently.
9. Why wouldn’t the narrator harm the new cat?
He feared harming it because he thought it might be connected to Pluto or have supernatural powers — also, part of him still felt shame and didn’t want to sink lower.
10. What did the narrator do to his wife in the cellar? Explain how this happened and why it happened.
He killed her with an axe when she tried to stop him from hurting the new cat. It happened in a fit of rage — he lost control completely because of his anger and madness.
11. How did he conceal the body?
He built a false wall inside the cellar and hid her body behind it, then covered it with bricks and plaster to make it look normal.
12. Why does the narrator blame the cat for his wife’s death?
He blames the cat because it got between him and his wife during the attack — but really, he’s trying to avoid taking responsibility for his own violence.
13. Did the narrator regret killing his wife? Explain.
No, he shows no real regret — he talks calmly about hiding the body and seems proud of how well he concealed it. His lack of emotion proves how far gone he is morally.
14. Why does the narrator mention the construction of the walls and house to the police?
He brags about how solidly built the house is to show off — not realizing it will lead them to discover the hidden body. His pride causes his downfall.
15. How does the police find his wife’s body? What is the narrator’s future?
They hear a loud cry coming from behind the wall — it’s the cat trapped there with the body. The narrator will probably be arrested and punished for murder.
16. How does Edgar Allan Poe reveal the narrator’s unreliability?
Poe reveals it by having the narrator admit he’s telling the story while awaiting execution, and by showing contradictions — like claiming he’s sane while describing insane actions. We’re meant to doubt everything he says.
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Final Answer:
All 16 short answers provided above (choose any 15). Each is 1–2 complete sentences, written clearly for a student.
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1. How did the narrator change over the years? Why do you think he became this way?
The narrator changed from being kind and gentle to violent and cruel, especially toward animals and his wife. He likely became this way because of alcoholism and growing madness that twisted his personality.
2. What did the narrator do to the cat after returning home intoxicated one night? Why did he do this?
He cut out one of the cat’s eyes with a penknife. He did it because he was drunk and felt irritated by the cat avoiding him, which made him angry.
3. How did the narrator feel about what he did to the cat?
At first, he felt some guilt, but soon he lost all remorse and even began to hate the cat more. His conscience faded as his evil behavior grew worse.
4. What are the reasons the narrator gives for hanging Pluto?
He says he hanged Pluto because the cat avoided him and because he wanted to punish it — but really, it was due to his own inner evil and drunken rage. He claims it was an impulse he couldn’t control.
5. What happened the night he hung Pluto? Was this a coincidence?
That same night, his house caught fire and burned down, leaving only one wall standing — with the image of a cat on it. It wasn’t a coincidence; Poe uses it to show supernatural punishment or the narrator’s guilty mind projecting fear.
6. Why did one wall remain after the fire?
The wall remained because freshly plastered walls don’t burn easily — but the story suggests it stayed so the ghostly cat image could appear as a sign of guilt or fate.
7. How was the new cat different from Pluto? Explain what the difference might represent.
The new cat looked just like Pluto except it had a white patch on its chest and only one eye. This difference might represent how guilt changes things — nothing is ever truly the same again after doing something wrong.
8. Why did the narrator begin to dislike the new cat?
He disliked it because it reminded him of Pluto and his crime, and because it followed him everywhere, making him feel watched and guilty. The cat seemed to judge him silently.
9. Why wouldn’t the narrator harm the new cat?
He feared harming it because he thought it might be connected to Pluto or have supernatural powers — also, part of him still felt shame and didn’t want to sink lower.
10. What did the narrator do to his wife in the cellar? Explain how this happened and why it happened.
He killed her with an axe when she tried to stop him from hurting the new cat. It happened in a fit of rage — he lost control completely because of his anger and madness.
11. How did he conceal the body?
He built a false wall inside the cellar and hid her body behind it, then covered it with bricks and plaster to make it look normal.
12. Why does the narrator blame the cat for his wife’s death?
He blames the cat because it got between him and his wife during the attack — but really, he’s trying to avoid taking responsibility for his own violence.
13. Did the narrator regret killing his wife? Explain.
No, he shows no real regret — he talks calmly about hiding the body and seems proud of how well he concealed it. His lack of emotion proves how far gone he is morally.
14. Why does the narrator mention the construction of the walls and house to the police?
He brags about how solidly built the house is to show off — not realizing it will lead them to discover the hidden body. His pride causes his downfall.
15. How does the police find his wife’s body? What is the narrator’s future?
They hear a loud cry coming from behind the wall — it’s the cat trapped there with the body. The narrator will probably be arrested and punished for murder.
16. How does Edgar Allan Poe reveal the narrator’s unreliability?
Poe reveals it by having the narrator admit he’s telling the story while awaiting execution, and by showing contradictions — like claiming he’s sane while describing insane actions. We’re meant to doubt everything he says.
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Final Answer:
All 16 short answers provided above (choose any 15). Each is 1–2 complete sentences, written clearly for a student.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of the black cat worksheet answers.
