Themes

Love and Hate
The narrator starts off claiming he loves animals but shifts his position during the story to hatred towards animals. He brutally kills both of his cats, one by hanging it and the other with an axe. He also claims to love his wife but murders her too. Killing is obviously an act of hatred.

Alcohol
In The Black Cat alcohol has a very negative connotation. The narrator explains that he became abusive towards his wife and pets once his drinking got out of control. Alcohol is somewhat to blame for all of the negative things that happen in the story.

Change
The change in both main characters is very important in the story. The narrator goes from a kind person who likes animals. His drinking problem changes him to an abusive person who hates animals. His wife on the other hand starts off as someone who doesn't love animals but puts up with them but changes to someone who loves animals and is more and more sympathetic as her husband becomes more mean towards her and their animals.