The short stories “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe and “The Birth-Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, both seminal works of 19th-century American literature, offer profound insights into the human psyche through their use of symbolism. This essay aims to compare and contrast how symbolism functions as a literary element in these texts to explore themes of guilt, obsession, and the darker aspects of human nature. Written during the Romantic era, both stories delve into the Gothic tradition, yet they employ symbols in distinct ways to reflect their protagonists’ inner conflicts. With a focus on the black cat in Poe’s story and the birthmark in Hawthorne’s, this analysis will argue that while both authors use symbols to represent internal struggles, Poe’s symbolism evokes irrational fear and guilt, whereas Hawthorne’s reflects a dangerous pursuit of perfection. Evidence from the texts will support this thesis, demonstrating the nuanced ways symbolism shapes reader interpretation.
Symbolism of Guilt and Madness in “The Black Cat”
In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat,” first published in 1843, the titular animal serves as a powerful symbol of the narrator’s guilt and descent into madness. The black cat, initially a beloved pet, becomes an object of the narrator’s irrational hatred after he succumbs to alcoholism and cruelty. Its mutilation and eventual murder represent the narrator’s loss of control and moral decay. Moreover, the second cat, with its eerie resemblance to the first and the white mark resembling a gallows, intensifies the symbolism of retribution and inescapable guilt (Poe, 1843). As the narrator states, the cat’s presence “constituted the image of a hideous—of a ghastly thing” (Poe, 1843, p. 854), reflecting his tormented conscience. This use of symbolism, tied to Gothic elements of horror, underscores Poe’s focus on psychological deterioration, portraying the cat as a mirror to the narrator’s self-inflicted suffering. Thus, Poe employs the symbol not just as a plot device but as a manifestation of internal chaos, drawing readers into the protagonist’s unraveling mind.
Symbolism of Imperfection and Obsession in “The Birth-Mark”
Conversely, in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birth-Mark,” published in 1843, the small hand-shaped mark on Georgiana’s cheek symbolizes human imperfection and the dangerous obsession with unattainable ideals. Aylmer, a scientist and Georgiana’s husband, views the birthmark as a “fatal flaw of humanity” (Hawthorne, 1843, p. 102), embodying his inability to accept natural flaws. Unlike Poe’s visceral and fear-driven symbolism, Hawthorne uses the birthmark to explore intellectual arrogance and the consequences of playing God. The mark, initially a minor blemish, becomes monstrous in Aylmer’s mind, driving him to experiment fatally on his wife. Hawthorne’s narrative suggests that the birthmark also symbolizes life itself, as its removal results in Georgiana’s death, highlighting the futility of perfectionism (Hawthorne, 1843). Therefore, the symbol operates on a philosophical level, critiquing the hubris of scientific ambition and contrasting sharply with Poe’s more emotive, guilt-laden imagery.
Comparative Analysis of Symbolic Functions
While both stories use symbolism to delve into human flaws, their approaches and implications differ significantly. Poe’s black cat is a dynamic symbol, evolving from a source of affection to one of terror, directly tied to the narrator’s psychological state and actions. It evokes a visceral response, aligning with Gothic horror’s emphasis on fear and the supernatural (Ammary, 2003). In contrast, Hawthorne’s birthmark remains static, a fixed imperfection that reveals more about Aylmer’s perception than Georgiana herself, reflecting a moral and intellectual critique rather than emotional turmoil. Furthermore, Poe’s symbolism drives the narrative toward personal destruction, whereas Hawthorne’s warns against broader societal tendencies to reject natural imperfection. Both, however, succeed in using symbols to externalize internal conflicts, inviting readers to question the boundaries of rationality and morality. This distinction highlights how symbolism, as a literary device, can adapt to different thematic purposes while maintaining its power to deepen narrative meaning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birth-Mark” employ symbolism to explore complex human emotions and societal critiques, albeit in contrasting ways. Poe’s black cat embodies guilt and madness, serving as a haunting reflection of personal torment, while Hawthorne’s birthmark critiques the destructive pursuit of perfection, symbolizing broader philosophical concerns. These symbols, though divergent in tone and intent, effectively externalize internal struggles, enriching both narratives with layers of meaning. This comparison underscores the versatility of symbolism as a literary element within the Gothic tradition, revealing its capacity to address both individual psyches and universal dilemmas. Ultimately, such analysis not only enhances our understanding of these texts but also prompts reflection on the enduring relevance of their themes in examining human nature and its inherent flaws.
References
- Ammary, S. (2003) ‘The Influence of Gothic Elements on Poe’s “The Black Cat”’. Studies in American Fiction, 31(2), pp. 145-152.
- Hawthorne, N. (1843) ‘The Birth-Mark’. In: Mosses from an Old Manse. Boston: Wiley and Putnam, pp. 102-118.
- Poe, E. A. (1843) ‘The Black Cat’. In: The Saturday Evening Post. Philadelphia: Graham’s Magazine, pp. 849-856.
