Cat in the Rain by Ernest Hemingway - Short Story Summary, Analysis, Review

[@user-uu1we7db2i]

My perspective is that she wants the cat and long hair to feel ownership of her own self. Her marriage is unsatisfactory and she is constantly ignored of her emotional needs and told to just "shut up." I believe her and her husband being the only ones in the hotel rooms with the rain represents how she feels trapped in her marriage. She sees the cat and takes the initiative perhaps, as you mentioned with the rain symbolism, that this is a moment where she seeks a change/rebirth. She goes out to find the cat, but she missed her chance. She goes back inside, trapped in a room with her husband. I believe next she had a sort of breakdown and felt helpless and poured out all her frustrations in a more straightforward manner. Same as always her husband ignores her needs. The maid comes back with what I believe is a different cat, perhaps representing that her situation has and will not change. Back in the day divorce was frowned upon and the women could not leave unsatisfying marriages. All women could do was change themselves and their behaviour in hopes that this will please the husband and improve relationships at home. The American wife at the ends goes against the husband by saying rather than the short hair that the husband likes she wants long hair and silverware and more clothes. In the end she can't escape, but she still wants the cat (or freedom..?). I, also, like that you related the cat to a baby since having a baby would be a great distraction to the emptiness and tightness she feels inside of her. If she cant have ownership of herself, she can guide and make decisions for her child. IDK if this made sense lol but yeah.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Awesome, thanks for sharing

[@SeanBrawn]

My take is that the woman is soon to realize that this marriage (?) is over before it's even started. If they're not newlyweds, they haven't been married that much longer. She wants household things (including clothes but back then the male was the main provider). I don't necessarily see the cat as a maternal symbol. Since your spouse should be your best friend and he ignores her, she seeks a companion. I think she sees the hotel owner as someone whose 'like'- minded in terms of how partners should treat each other in relationships and when she comes back inside , with no cat, she feels embarrassed, (although he's respectful,worse kind of embarrassment) because he sees right through her. Not sure if it is the same cat. I'd like to think it is and had gone from holding itself tightly under a table to being free, hanging long and loose in a caring person's arms. I tend to think they will go their seperate ways.The husband's name is George. I imagine if this connects to George Washington we know he was the first but not the last president. If it's connection is to King George she may declare her independence. I'm really just starting to read Hemingway and am starting to enjoy his work through these short stories.

[@attention5638]

Another great story! I always thought it was the same cat, but two different perceptions. The wife wants all these things that seem so wonderful from a distance, but with George, its not what she expects. George is no longer who he once was when they married, and now remains stiff and indifferent (like the monument that is also representing the past). When the wife sees the kitten from the distance, she is wanting that (like looking into the distant past). But when she is presented with the current reality, she has the monument, and a "tortoise shell" cat. I don't know if I explained that well, and I am probably way off. 😂

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Ah, that’s really good. I like it

[@maretsaevellyn2624]

I think this best ever I'm looking for.. and so details explanation discussion!!.. i needed it for my final test essay on Modern lit, thank you!😭

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Good luck with your essay

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Great work 👏👏 the question of symbolism real or symbolism phantom. Hmmm you got me thinking this all over.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks, Tristan!

[@BookishTexan]

Well done. Like how Krypto worked the Rolling Stones into the discussion.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Never know what will come out of his bag of tricks!

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

I will say, the hotel keeper was serious with complaints, not compliments. Which reads very differently. Meaning the wife likely has complaints with the husband that he doesn’t take very seriously.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Yep, thanks

[@OmG-wp5qh]

Think you soooo Mach for this

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

An American woman, you say? Not symbolism. She's just like every other American woman, she just wanted a cat!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

I've got one if you need one...

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

@@TheCodeXCantina You can keep your Pet Sematary cat

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

I’m with Krypto on this one! I don’t know if this is a story that can really be separated from either Hemingway’s autobiography or the Nick Adams stories as a whole. On its own, it may be one of the least impactful stories I’ve read from Hemingway. I could see how quickly this story could disengage a group of young readers. The cat is almost certainly a symbol for a baby. A story like “Hill like White Elephants” seems to reinforce that. Hope you’re both well! Best, Jack

[@TheCodeXCantina]

On to warmer waters!

[@bindu492]

Rain is rich womb , cat a baby ?

[@na26da]

Thanks a lot for you. Can I found ( D.Faustus, play) in your channel ..? l can't search because I am tired. 💙🌺💔🥺

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Not yet!

[@zineblemghari9063]

Thank you guys for this amazing video . For me I love the story even it makes me feel down because the American wife suffer with her husband's selfishness ,and I think the problem here is lack of communication 😕 which can broke any relationship , so we need to communicate to understand each other .

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Great points! Thanks so much

[@bindu492]

Rain is not positive for growth in the West ,but sun .dismissed one child ,an abortion .woman Need new one ,but the husband disappointed ,for next one? May be ?Sir?

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Ok I had to stop listening to something else when I saw this title lol

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Lol

[@meesalikeu]

my dewds, good work, but how on earth could you miss the obvious symbolism of the short hair? not for the wife, but for the husband. the reason she is so unsatisfied is her husband is a homosexual.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

I was aware if it and have heard that interpretation before. I just wouldn’t say it resonated with me all that much.

[@theatrevision4378]

Nice analysis

[@louloulala3285]

Thank you so much please do the grave short story by Kathrin Ann porter ❤ 🙏🏻

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks for the recommendation. We will be getting to Patron selections first as our backlog is now reaching far into the future year! Cheers

[@manuelaliaga3375]

You guys are amazing. Thank you so much for this helpful content ！

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks for the kind words

[@muhamadab.8628]

Your videos so helpful and save me from my homework

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Glad they could help. They're fun to make for us