A man who originally loved animals and had many of them, including a black cat named Pluto. Over time, he becomes an alcoholic and begins to abuse his animals and his wife. One day, in a drunken state, he blinds Pluto in one eye and then hangs him. That same night, his house catches fire, and only one wall remains standing, with the image of a cat with a noose around its neck.

"The Black Cat" is one of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous stories. It was first published in 1843. The story can be interpreted in several ways. Here are some possible readings:
On the Loss of Innocence: The narrator starts as kind and animal-loving, but he becomes a ruthless and violent individual due to his alcoholism. This transformation can be interpreted as a loss of innocence.

In relation to guilt and self-punishment: The appearance of the second cat and the narrator's final acts can be seen as a manifestation of his guilt. It seems that he subconsciously punishes himself through his actions.

About the inherent evil of the human being: The evolution of the protagonist could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human capacity for evil. Poe might be suggesting that we all have the potential to do evil, regardless of our initial intentions.

Finally, about Gothic horror: "The Black Cat" is a classic example of Gothic literature. Poe creates an atmosphere of horror and mystery through his use of language and narrative. It also features the appearance of supernatural events.