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The Black Cat Vs The Raven

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Cam Simmons Mr. Arthurs Honors English February 13 2023 Paper rater: 95 Two of Poe's Greatest Tales, Compared Every story in literature has a contrasting aspect. The protagonist sees one side, and the other side shows what actually occurs. The Gothic element typically reveals one of what's actually happening in these two tales, "The Black Cat" and "The Raven," two stories created by Edgar Allen Poe. Poe shows the contradiction of the term "transcendentalism," a philosophy that encourages intuitive and spiritual thinking rather than scientific thinking. Poe displays this throughout as he says, "Some intellect may be found, which will reduce my phantasm to the commonplace—some intellect more calm, more logical, and far less …show more content…

In his poem "The Raven," Poe demonstrates his expertise in the field by exploring a number of mysterious supernatural phenomena. He uses these occurrences to weave a captivating story that appears frightening yet also intriguing. The prophecy that the narrator receives from his mother shows the first time in the book where a supernatural occurrence takes place. The prophecy that the narrator receives from his mother becomes the first supernatural occurrence in Poe’s poem "The Raven." "Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!" "Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore." Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore" (poem). The narrator expresses his hope that Lenore will avenge his father’s death by bringing him his head on a silver platter. The narrator’s mother confirms this belief when she tells him that she will send two ravens to take his head off if he does anything to harm her or her family. This prophecy creates a sinister tone for the rest of the poem and makes the final confrontation with Lenore much more …show more content…

Poe illustrates his dislike for cats and how they would exact revenge when they reappear in The Black Cat by drawing on his connection with his cat, Pluto. Poe also utilized metamorphosis to represent the cat's transformation following its death. First came the fire, then the cat came back to life with a "splotch of white" on his chest, signifying the gallows. Poe developed the same resentment for this "new cat" as he did for Pluto, and the "new cat" followed him about."Although I longed to destroy it with a blow, I was yet withheld from doing so, partly by a memory of my former crime" (Poe). as Poe continues to show this hatred. He plans to kill the cat, but instead kills his wife, who stopped his axing blow from slaughtering the animal. In retaliation for killing Pluto and almost killing him again, the cat disrupts the narrator's masterplan by exposing the body of his deceased wife with his meowing

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