Open Access
American Research Journal of English and Literature
ISSN (Online): 2378-9026
DOI: 10.46568/arjel
Who is in the Rain? A Metaphorical Probe into the Cat-Woman Identity Dilemma in Ernest Hemingway’s Short Story ‘Cat in the Rain’
Abstract
This paper attempts to investigate semantically and metaphorically the cat-woman identity dilemma projected in the
short story from a comparison of the plight of the cat and the American wife in their respective roles. The American
wife’s husband remains glued to his book while the cat’s owners are busy with cleanliness issues during rain. Hemingway
creatively demonstrates how their frustration as a pet and a guest in the hotel respectively, merges them into a unique
psychological oneness. The rainy weather rouses in both a sensation desperately seeking care and caress with nobody
around to respond to it. They both miss what they need in their physical and psychological constitutions although the
chilly atmosphere is conducive for many sensational adventures. Hemingway’s creativity in representing their pathetic
condition precipitated by the conflicts within them is tremendously powerful. While identifying the metaphors he has
used in presenting this portrait of psychological loneliness, an attempt is made here to assess their semantic and symbolic
impact. As the paper is designed for study purposes, Hemingway’s trajectory is followed by systematically analysing
the achievements he makes at every juncture in his narration. Accordingly, the discussion under the twelve themes: 1)
cat-woman metaphors; 2) the cat and the American wife; 3) The Hotel Riviera, Rapallo, Italy; 4) setting; 5) cat rescue
mission; 6) the hotelier’s courtesies; 7) cat search; 8) disappointment; 9) self-realization; 10) self-search; 11) cat solution
to frustration; and 12) godsend of a cat, aims at a coherent and thorough understanding of the short story.
