The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe is a particularly intriguing short story because of the detailed and cruel events that occur during the story and the multitude of themes which are present in the story. The idea of transformation is particularly relevant, especially when used with the example of alcohol being the catalyst. However, it could be that though, on the surface, this transformation in character could be a result of his alcoholism, but it is possible alcohol only represents a device that the character uses to suppress or boost this eventual change in character.
Another intriguing element of the story is how the events escalated. The reader is put in a place to question how a gentle, animal loving man could end up killing his own wife. I believe that there are two major ideas at play here. The first is transformation catalysed by alcoholism. The second, and more acute idea is the theme of identity, or rather, the struggle of identity.
Additionally, when the cat “Pluto” is reincarnated, the narrator feels uneasy when looking at the white fur patch on the cat, representing the gallows, a reminder of the cruel acts he inflicted on his old cat. The second cat, more specifically, the fur of the second cat, could be representative of the narrator’s suppressed guilt of killing is endeared cat. This guilt is then used to kill his wife in another fit of anger caused by his alter-ego.