CSP
“Cat in the Rain” is a short story by Ernest Hemingway. It was published in 1925. The story is about an American couple staying in a hotel in Italy. The wife sees a cat outside in the rain and wants to bring it inside. The story explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and desire. It uses simple words but has deep meaning. Hemingway’s writing style is short and direct.
Theme
The story talks about loneliness. The wife feels alone even though she is with her husband. She wants love and care. The cat in the rain represents her feelings. Another theme is desire. The wife wants the cat, but she also wants other things in life. She wants to feel special. Another theme is lack of communication. The husband and wife do not talk much. The husband does not understand his wife’s feelings.
Tone
The tone is sad and serious. The wife is unhappy. She wants something but cannot have it. The husband does not care about her feelings. The story makes the reader feel sympathy for the wife. The words are simple but create a deep feeling of sadness.
Mood
The mood is lonely and cold. The wife feels alone even when she is with her husband. The rain outside makes the story feel gloomy. The empty hotel also adds to the sad mood. The reader feels the wife’s sadness.
Settings or Background
The story takes place in Italy. The couple is staying in a hotel near the sea. It is raining outside. The hotel is mostly empty. There is a war monument nearby. The setting feels quiet and lonely. The rain makes the place feel cold and sad. The setting adds to the wife’s loneliness.
Style & Structure
Hemingway’s style is simple and direct. He uses short sentences. He does not explain everything. The reader must understand the meaning from small details. The story is structured in a simple way. It starts with a normal day. The wife sees the cat. She wants it. She talks to her husband. In the end, she does not get the cat. The structure is straightforward but has deep meaning.
Characters
- The Wife – She is young and feels lonely. She wants the cat. She wants love and attention. She is not happy in her marriage.
- The Husband (George) – He is reading and does not care much about his wife’s feelings. He does not understand her loneliness.
- The Hotel Keeper – He is kind and respectful to the wife. She likes the way he treats her.
- The Maid – She brings an umbrella for the wife and later brings a cat.
Detailed Summary
An American couple is staying in a hotel in Italy. It is raining outside. The wife looks out of the window and sees a small cat in the rain. She wants to go and bring it inside. She tells her husband about it, but he does not care. He is reading a book.
The wife goes downstairs. The hotel owner sees her and treats her with respect. She likes the way he treats her. The maid brings an umbrella to keep her dry. The wife goes outside, but the cat is gone. She feels disappointed. She goes back to the hotel room.
Inside the room, she talks to her husband. She says she wants a cat, long hair, and nice things. She wants to feel special. The husband tells her to stop talking. She feels ignored and unhappy.
At the end of the story, the maid brings a cat. The story ends, leaving the meaning open to the reader.
Figures of Speech or Literary Devices
- Symbolism – The cat represents the wife’s feelings. She is lonely like the cat.
- Repetition – The wife keeps saying she wants a cat. This shows how strong her desire is.
- Imagery – The rain, the empty hotel, and the war monument create a sad feeling.
- Contrast – The husband does not care, but the hotel owner treats the wife with respect.
- Minimalism – Hemingway uses few words but deep meaning.
Important Quotations
- “I wanted it so much. I wanted a kitty.”
- “Don’t you think it would be nice if I had long hair?”
- “You look pretty darn nice.”
These lines show the wife’s desires and her husband’s lack of understanding. The story is short but has deep meaning. It explores loneliness, desire, and relationships.