What do you think about the black cat? It is normally a symbol of bad luck, but that is a stereotype. In this book though, it helps Coraline win the "game" quite significantly.
Cats are often used symbolically in myth based stories. As familiar as Mr. Gaiman is with so many pantheons and folk tales this may have had some influence.
This story has a ring of 'be careful what you wish for' to it, similar in a sense to Alice in Wonderland. The cheshire cat there, though rather arrogant as well, does aid Alice a bit in her travels. Gaiman seems t o have a fondness for cats and Bast. Scenes from American Gods also reflect his affection for the cat godess. I won't spoil it though.
As far as the color of the cat, a black cat tends to be a bit more distinguished and mysterious than say, a fluffy calico. The bad luck thing doesn't seem to me to really have much meaning to it.
Not quite that simple, I'm afraid. In some areas it's a good thing to own one, a bad thing to come across a black stray. In other areas, even owning one is bad luck, while in other places it's extremely good luck no matter what the circumstances.
They're usually linked to stories of the Good Folk, but even that isn't all that helpful as in some areas where the fey are close to evil, black cats are good luck, while in others where fey are friendly, black cats are bad luck.
__________ AJGraeme "We never do anything, consciously, for the last time, without sadness of heart." -Thomas De Quincey "Science is the foot that kicks magic square in the nuts." -Scratch Fury
Posts: 42636 | Location: Concord, NH, USA | Registered: July 20, 2001
Don't know if this is slightly off-topic, but I really liked the character of the black cat. I have two cats of my own, and something was definitely captured about the species.
Posts: 12 | Location: New York | Registered: April 06, 2006
As far as the color of the cat, a black cat tends to be a bit more distinguished and mysterious than say, a fluffy calico.
Not to be a prick, as I agree with just about everything you said, but calicos have a lot of meaning. The three colored cat all across Asia is seen as good luck-- the number three. In Japan, you see those "good luck" kitties on almost every doorway! Cats, in general, always carry meaning.
------------------------------ (Grrr.... YAHR!) "I remember when I used to be really into nostalgia."-Demetri Martin
Posts: 665 | Location: Sitting on chert. | Registered: April 15, 2003
I was thinking about the role of the cat just yesterday. I really like the use of the cat as the bridge between the two realities. I remember when I was a girl I had a cat who I became blood brothers with (actually scab brothers), Cesear. After the exchange I swear to you that I heard him laugh like "he he he". It wasn't scary, more like a combo of laugh and furball. Anyway, I just really believe that a cat could be that comforting and helpful and even an anchor to a little girl who is bored and alone and is dreaming all day long.
true, about the anchor. also, the black cat was arrogant, but not mean. and you are probably making too much of this. the cat is just a cat. albeit a talking one.
Posts: 9 | Location: home | Registered: October 27, 2006
I have to say that aside from Coraline the black cat was my favourite character. Here's somethign for oyu guys think on... anyone else notice teh cat is never given a gender?
it always seemed like a guy cat to me.this is kinda off the subject. but does anybody know why cats are so revered or mentioned so much in so many cultures and books?
Posts: 8 | Location: somewhere | Registered: June 02, 2008
It starts out with, "There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife." To find out what the NEXT sentence is, you can buy a copy or you can check to see if your local library has it!
