The Black Cat Group

Question:

bwags91314
bwags91314
Student
High School - 11th Grade

How can the narrator fill the role of the protagonist while serving as his own antagonist in the story?

Using a first person perspective by an unnamed narrator, Poe provides a rather unreliable source of information.

With this in mind, explain how the narrator can fulfill the role of protagonist while serving as his own antagonist in

the story.  Be sure to use specific examples from the text

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Posted by bwags91314 on Tuesday August 25, 2009 at 7:26 AM and tagged with antagonist, first person perspective, protagonist, role, the black cat.

Answers:


  1. rugator Teacher
    Middle School

    eNotes Editor

    As protagonist, the narrator tells a story in which he is the main character. In addition, he's tormented by his inner demons which serve as the story's (and his) antagonist.

    Like so many of Poe's stories, the struggles confronted by the main character occur both externally and internally. On an external level, the narrator is conflicted by the two cats and his alcoholism. Internally, he's conflicted by his hatred and fear of the "hideous beasts" and what they drive him to do.

    He's his own antagonist. Both in his outward actions and his inner conflicts of emotion.

    Many stories pit an external antagonist (usually in the form of another character) against the main character. What's unique about this story is the Poe's creation of an "internal antagonist." While not necessarily a unique concept in literature, Poe takes it to a delightfully entertaining and thought-provoking level.

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    Posted by rugator on Monday October 5, 2009 at 7:49 PM