The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe is the story of how a manipulative and possibly demonic black cat ruins his master's life. After being mutilated and killed by his loving owner, the cat is reincarnated and reunites with his killer to seek revenge. The story, however, focuses not so much on the cat's actions, but rather on those of its unfortunate owner. The story is told from the point of view of a doomed, remorseful man who remembers the violent actions that placed him in his current doomed state. When we first meet the narrator, we discover that he had an undying affection for animals in his youth and early adulthood. However, slowly, for the worse, he transforms into a man capable of the most horrific crimes. He, in remembering the atrocities, feels painful and sincere regret for his past actions and feelings, or lack thereof. The narrator, however, did not always feel this sense of regret and remorse. In “The Black Cat,” the narrator gradually transforms from a gentle, loving person in his youth and early adulthood, into a monstrous man capable of committing and concealing murder. The narrator's change can be seen in three stages: his childhood love and need for affection from animals, his drunken violence towards his wife and pets, and his contempt for all human virtues in murder of his wife and in an attempt to hide his wrongs. ... half the paper ... without the slightest remorse. The narrator's change from a meek, humanity-conscious being to a monstrous, regretless killer can easily be seen throughout the story. Eventually, he is exposed and finally condemned by the black cat after the "blow" provokes a scream from the beast. After being sentenced to death and awaiting his execution, the narrator seems to recover his old remorseful self. Now, however, it is too late to save him from the punishments he has brought upon himself. He is condemned to die for the lack of what once constituted his entire being: the lack of love.