The Cat | The Cat

At a glance:

Author: Colette
First Published: 1933
Type of Work: Novel
Type of Plot: Psychological realism
Time of Work: The early 1930’s
Principal Characters: Alain Amparat, Camille, Saha, Mme Amparat, Emile, Mme Buque
Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
Subjects: France or French people, Sex or sexuality, Gender roles, Marriage, Class consciousness, 1930’s, Jealousy, envy, or resentment, Pregnancy, Cats, Lifestyles, Nostalgia, Immaturity
Locales: Paris, France, Neuilly, France

In an interesting variation on the traditional romantic triangle, The Cat examines the intense relationship between Alain Amparat; his bride, Camille; and Saha, his cat. The story begins one week before their wedding, the event that sets up the tension between the three protagonists. The marriage is endorsed by Mme Amparat even though she quietly laments that Camille is “not quite our type,” a politely condescending attitude which is reflected in Alain’s tacit characterization of his fiancée as “a typical modern girl,” a phrase which...

The Cat | The Cat

At a glance:

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