Coffeehouse #2 – Benjamin Galicia

Out of all the stories we’ve read so far, my personal favorite would have to be “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe. The main reason why it’s my favorite is because this is a story I have read before back in high school so I was a bit familiar with it. However I didn’t like the story back then at all because I didn’t understand it. Not only that but reading it was difficult enough considering how Edgar Allan Poe as well as a lot of authors back then used to write. I found it difficult to read so I didn’t bother continuing to care for it. However now it’s a different outcome. Now I understand it much more. It’s a very dark and odd story with an even more sinister narrator who we learn is actually about to die for the crimes he committed against his cats and more. The theme of murder and death as well as the gothic elements is something I found very well written and actually interesting. I rarely read stories like that but I enjoyed this one. I liked the how the narrator was writing as he remembered while trying to manipulate us as the reader into thinking he’s not such a bad guy. However I learned that he’s the only one talking so there’s no other input or outside opinion on him. He slowly realizes how far he’s lost himself and even acknowledges how the alcohol really messed him up even more to the point he can’t tell reality from illusion. This is just a few of the many things I really enjoyed. All the stories are great however I really enjoyed this one the most after coming back to it a few years later.