Short Story Socratic Questioning

Solara Martin
Mrs. Hasty
Honors English
November 26, 2013
"The Black Cat"

Socratic Questioning For Short Story

Closed-Ended Question- What was the black cat's name? The black cat's name is Pluto.

Open-Ended Question- Out of all the animals, why is Pluto his favorite? Pluto is his favorite because black cats were seen as witches or frowned upon. Maybe the narrator felt pity at first but then came to really like Pluto.

World Connection Question- What does the narrator do that may still happen today in households? He often time would drink and abuse his wife both physically and mentally, often seen in households today.

Universal Theme/ Core Question- How do you think the image of sin has changed over time? Back then, sin was easily seen as a horrible thing that God would look down upon, that they must beg God for mercy. But now in today's society, you see many crimes, not many people think of it as a sin. Hanging a cat was big deal to the narrator but wouldn't be considered a great deal to people today.

Literary Analysis Question- How do you think the narrators point of view affects the story? From his eyes, he could see his actions as something not so bad, but let's say you were in the view of his wife, the constant abuse would make the story change considerably.

Another World Connection Question- How does the hanging of Pluto relate to the Salem Witch Trials? Black cat's were seen as witches. Pluto could symbolize the killings of many so called witches in the Salem Witch Trials.