Volume VI Special Issue I January 2026

Name of Author : Mr.Aryaman Garud, Dr.Pragyan Paramita Pattnaik

Title of the paper : Psychological Analysis of the Narrator in Edgar Allan Peos The Black Cat

Abstract: This paper is based on the psychological breakdown of the narrator in Edgar Allan Poes The Black Cat. The story features a mans transformation into an insane, guilt driven, and aggressive person. Through the narrators, shocking confession, the writer explains the conflict between sanity and insanity along with love and cruelty. The transformation of the narrator from a kind animal lover to a violent and cruel person is kind of fascinating for the human psyche. His alcohol addiction leads to his moral decline, making him commit horrific acts which includes murdering his beloved pet cat and his own wife. The study also uses Sigmund Freuds theory of the conscious ,subconscious, and unconscious state of mind to show the narrators unstable mentality. His conscious mind tries to justify his actions, whereas his subconscious and unconscious mind shows a deep sense of guilt and morality. This analysis also sets connection with some of the other works of Poe, like Ligeia, The Tell Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher which features the darker aspects of human psyche. Primarily, The Black Cat is an important psychological study, which brings out the hidden and dark side of the human mind disclosing that no crime remains hidden forever.

Keywords : Black Cat, Sigmund Freuds, psychological

DOI :

Page Number : 69-72