Black cats have a dubious reputation associated with Halloween. They have been regarded as evil omens of sorcery for centuries, particularly as familiars and shape-shifting embodiments of witches.
Popular Fiction
Holding such a dubious distinction, it’s no wonder black cats have inspired and/or been the center of popular fiction during that time. We’re all familiar with the cartoon treachery of Sylvester or the magic adventures of Felix the Cat. Some of us may even recall Krazy Kat‘s unrequited comic book love for Ignatz, the brick-throwing mouse as well (Tom & Jerry fans take note).
Children and Young Adult Fiction
But black cats appear in literary fiction, too. The covers shown alongside depict nine feline characters from children’s or young adult fiction chosen by Arapahoe Libraries. Dr. Seuss/Theordore Geisel‘s Cat in the Hat and the black cat in Coraline are perhaps the most famous, but Thackery Binx who appears in Hocus Pocus, and Salem Saberhagen, a former warlock who appears in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch have their followers, too.
Literary Fiction
On the adult side, Wikipedia identifies no less than six black cats which serve as “notable feline characters from notable literary works of fiction.” These include:
Alonzo — T. S. Eliot — Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats;
Behemoth — Mikhail Bulgakov — The Master and the Margharita;
Black Tom — H.P. Lovecraft — The Rats in the Walls;
Kitsa — Lynn Reed Banks — The Indian in the Cupboard;
Kitty — Nick Bruel — Bad Kitty; Pluto — Edgar Allan Poe
Pluto — Edgar Allan Poe — The Black Cat
A not-insignificant list.
So, this Halloween (or your next Read to Each Other night) while you’re waiting for the next band of the trick-or-treaters to knock on your door, try reading one of these stories to pass the time. Who knows? One of these shape-shifting felines might just creep into your imagination and stay there!
Do you have any other stories or suggestions to add? Let me know in the Leave a Reply section below.