“Cat in the Rain”

by Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway

An American author, journalist, and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

He is very well known for his economical style (presenting a lot through few words; and the omission of unnecessary details).

He makes use of autobiographical details (not necessarily from his life).

He was engaged in many wars which later influenced his stories.

Analysis

Plot: The story revolves around an American couple in Italy. The woman observes, from her hotel window, a cat trying to protect itself from heavy rain. She insists on rescuing her (open plot).

Characters: Major: The American woman

Minor: George (her husband), the hotel-keeper

Setting:

- Place: Itlay

- Time: A rainy winter day

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Themes:

- Selfishness (George)

- The desire for freedom (the American wife)

- Helplessness to save oneself (the American wife)

- Marriage problems that lead to internal problems.

Narration: Third person narration.

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Structure: A very short and dim story, brought to life through dialogue.

Style: Economical style (presenting a lot through a few words)

Simple sentences (without much punctuation)

Tone: Gloomy and dark: “war monument”, “empty square” “a cat was crouched”

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Exposition: The arrival of the American couple and the description of the scene around the hotel.

Rising action: The American wife, from her window, notices a cat underneath a table in the midst of rain. She decides to go out and fetch her.

Climax: She goes out into the garden looking for the cat with the help of a maid (sent from the hotel-keeper); but doesn’t find the cat.

Falling action: The American wife complains of a need for a new life.

Dénouement: The maid shows up at the hotel room door with a cat different from the one the American wife was looking for.

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Conflict:

- External: Between the American wife and her husband. The wife is looking for attention from her husband (not for a cat).

- Internal: Within the American woman. She feels confined and restricted. She wants freedom, choice and independence.

Foreshadow:

- The war monument foreshadows conflict (internal & external)

- Rain usually foreshadows disappointments. The American wife will be disappointed with her husband and for not finding the cat.

Irony:

- Situational: The cat they finally find for her is not the one she went out to look for.

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Symbol:

- Cat: symbolizes the American wife

- Knot: symbolizes a knot in her marriage

- Candles: symbolize the want for light in her dark life

- New clothes: symbolize the want of new life.

Imagery:

- Visual: “Water stood in pools on the gravel paths”

- Auditory: “A kitty to sit on my lap and purr”

Important Quotations

“Italians came from a long way … … the empty square.” Pg. 1

“He stood behind his desk … … … and big hands.” Pg.1

“She laid the mirror … … new clothes” Pg. 2

In a paragraph, describe the character of the American wife.

In Hemingway’s “Cat in the Rain” the American wife presents many qualities. She barely has an identity. There isn’t a name attached to her throughout the story. The American wife feels locked and trapped in her marriage. That is why she becomes obsessed with rescuing the cat trapped underneath the table. She desperately wants freedom by wishing for “new clothes”, for “spring” and to eat with her “own silver”. Moreover, she sounds somehow childish wishing and wanting too many things: “I want … I want ...”