Related Symbols:Page Number 194
Explanation and AnalysisIn this passage, the narrator of the story tortures his own cat by gouging out one of its eyes with his knife. What's interesting to notice in this passage is that the narrator seems both remorseful and remorseless as he describes how he tortured his pet.
On one hand, the narrator describes the cat as a "poor beast" and claims that he shudders as he writes about his own actions. On the other hand, the narrator seems to have hurt his cat without any real remorse at the time-it's only later that he begins to regret his actions.
In short, the narrator is a deeply divided person- simultaneously good and evil, attracted and repelled by crime. In Poe's stories, the narrators' greatest enemies are themselves--they're trapped
by their own divided natures,
and can't commit a crime without later being wracked by their own self-hatred.
The Purloined Letter Quotes "Perhaps it is the very simplicity of the thing which puts you at fault" said my friend. "What nonsense you do talk!"
replied the Prefect, laughing heartily. "Perhaps the mystery is a little too plain" said Dupin. "Oh, good heavens whoever heard of such an idea" "A little too self-evident." "Ha ha ha – ha ha!
ha! -ho ho ho" – roared our visitor,
profoundly amused, "oh,
Dupin, you will be the death of me yet!"
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