“Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

“Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway, first published in 1925 in the short story collection “In Our Time,” is notable for its simple and precise use of language to convey a wide range of complex emotions. “Cat in the Rain” is a short story about an American couple on vacation in Italy, and it received acclaim from many notable authors of the period, including Ford Madox Ford, John Dos Passos and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Main Events in “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

1. American Tourists in Italy
   Two American tourists, a husband and wife, are staying at a hotel in an unnamed Italian town. They are the only Americans at the hotel and do not know anyone else.
2. The Wife Sees a Cat in the Rain
   The wife sees a cat crouched under a table outside their window, trying to stay dry in the rain. She feels sorry for the cat and decides to go downstairs to get it.
3. Friendly Hotel Staff
   The hotel owner and the maid are friendly and courteous to the wife. She likes their dignity and seriousness, and the way they take their jobs seriously.
4. Disappointment Outside
   When she goes outside, the cat is gone, and she is disappointed. The maid tries to comfort her, but the wife is still upset.
5. Unresponsive Husband
   Back in their room, the wife talks to her husband, George, about her desire for a cat and other things she wants, like long hair and nice clothes. However, George is not very responsive and is more interested in reading his book.
6. Feeling Small and Tight
   The wife feels small and tight inside, and her desires and frustrations are still unaddressed. She is looking for something more in her life, but her husband is not providing it.
7. The Maid’s Kindness
   The maid tries to comfort the wife and shows kindness towards her. She even offers her an umbrella to keep her dry in the rain.
8. Desire for a Cat
   The wife’s desire for a cat represents her desire for something more in her life. She wants something to care for and love, but her husband is not providing it.
9. Fulfillment of Desire
   The maid arrives with a big tortoiseshell cat, which the wife is happy to receive. Her desire for a cat is finally fulfilled, but her other desires and frustrations are still unaddressed.
10. Unresolved Frustrations
    The story ends with the wife’s desire for a cat fulfilled, but her other desires and frustrations still unaddressed. She is still looking for something more in her life, and her husband is still not providing it.

Literary Devices in “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

Term	Definition	Example
Alliteration	Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close proximity.	“The rain dripped from the palm trees.”
Characterization	The method used to develop a character in a narrative.	The description of the American wife’s desire for a cat reveals her longing for companionship.
Conflict	The struggle between opposing forces in a narrative.	The American wife’s internal conflict between her desire for a cat and her current circumstances.
Dialogue	Conversation between characters in a literary work.	The exchange between the American wife and the maid about the missing cat.
Flashback	Interruption of the chronological sequence of events to provide background information.	None in this excerpt.
Foreshadowing	Hints or clues about events that will occur later in the story.	The cat seeking shelter from the rain foreshadows the American wife’s desire for companionship.
Imagery	Use of descriptive language to create sensory experiences for the reader.	“The rain dripped from the palm trees.”
Irony	A contrast between expectation and reality.	The American wife desires a cat, and at the end, the maid brings one unexpectedly.
Metaphor	A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unrelated things.	“She sat down on the bed.”
Mood	The atmosphere or feeling created by a literary work.	The melancholic mood of the rainy weather.
Plot	The sequence of events in a narrative.	The American wife’s quest to find a cat in the rain.
Point of View	The perspective from which a story is told.	Third-person limited point of view focusing on the American wife.
Setting	The time and place in which the events of a narrative occur.	A hotel room facing the sea during a rainy day.
Simile	A figure of speech that compares two different things using “like” or “as”.	None in this excerpt.
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts.	The cat symbolizes the American wife’s desire for companionship.
Theme	The central idea or message of a literary work.	Loneliness and longing for connection.
Tone	The author’s attitude toward the subject matter or audience.	The tone of the narrative is subdued and reflective.
Conflict	The struggle between opposing forces in a narrative.	The American wife’s internal conflict between her desire for a cat and her current circumstances.
Foreshadowing	Hints or clues about events that will occur later in the story.	The cat seeking shelter from the rain foreshadows the American wife’s desire for companionship.
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts.	The cat symbolizes the American wife’s desire for companionship.

Characterization in “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

Major Character: American Wife

• Direct Characterization: The American wife is portrayed as compassionate and yearning for companionship.
  • Example: Hemingway directly characterizes her by describing her concern for the cat caught in the rain: “The poor kitty out trying to keep dry under a table.”
• Indirect Characterization: Her personality and desires are revealed through her actions and dialogue, particularly her longing for a cat and dissatisfaction with her current circumstances.
  • Example: Through her dialogue and actions, the reader understands her emotional state and desires: “I wanted it so much… It isn’t any fun to be a poor kitty out in the rain.”

Minor Character: Hotel Owner

• Direct Characterization: The hotel owner is depicted as dignified and courteous towards the American wife.
  • Example: Hemingway directly characterizes him by describing the American wife’s admiration for him: “She liked his dignity… She liked his old, heavy face and big hands.”
• Indirect Characterization: His demeanor and attitude towards the American wife are revealed through his actions and interactions.
  • Example: Through his respectful gestures and demeanor, the reader infers his professionalism and hospitality: “He stood up and bowed to her as she passed the office… She liked the way he felt about being a hotelkeeper.”

Major Themes in “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

• Theme 1: Alienation and Isolation
  The story highlights the emotional disconnection between the American couple, George and his wife. They are physically together but mentally distant, exemplified by George’s indifference to his wife’s desires and feelings. The wife’s attempt to connect with the cat and her frustration when it’s gone underscore her sense of loneliness. The rain and empty streets outside their hotel room reinforce their isolation, emphasizing the emotional void between them.
• Theme 2: Desire for Human Connection
  The wife’s longing for a cat represents her deeper desire for human connection and companionship. She craves something to care for and love, which George fails to provide. Her fascination with the cat and her disappointment when it’s gone illustrate her yearning for a meaningful relationship. The story suggests that people seek connections with others, even if it’s with an animal, to alleviate their emotional emptiness.
• Theme 3: Disillusionment and Frustration
  The wife’s experiences throughout the story convey a sense of disillusionment and frustration. She’s disappointed by the cat’s absence, George’s indifference, and the unfulfilled desires she expresses. Her frustration is palpable when she says, “I want a cat. I want a kitty.” This repetition emphasizes her desperation for something to fill the emotional void in her life. The story portrays the consequences of unmet desires and the emotional toll of a loveless relationship.
• Theme 4: The Search for Meaning
  The story explores the human quest for meaning and purpose. The wife’s desires and frustrations symbolize her search for something more in life. She’s drawn to the cat, which represents comfort, companionship, and a sense of purpose. George’s detachment and the couple’s isolation suggest a lack of meaning in their relationship. The story implies that people seek meaning and connection to overcome their emotional emptiness and find fulfillment.

Writing Style in “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

• Simple and Direct Language
  • Example: “There were only two Americans stopping at the hotel.” (first sentence)
  • Hemingway uses short, straightforward sentences to convey a sense of simplicity and clarity.
• Minimal Description
  • Example: “The room was on the second floor facing the sea.” (no elaborate description of the room)
  • Hemingway provides only essential details, leaving much to the reader’s imagination.
• Use of Understatement
  • Example: “The wife was looking out of the window. It was quite dark now and still raining in the palm trees.” (no dramatic description of the storm)
  • Hemingway downplays emotions and descriptions to create a sense of restraint and subtlety.
• Iceberg Principle (Implication rather than Statement)
  • Example: The wife’s desire for a cat is not explicitly stated, but implied through her actions and dialogue.
  • Hemingway suggests more than he states, leaving readers to infer meanings and emotions.
• Repetition
  • Example: The wife repeats “I want a cat” twice, emphasizing her desire.
  • Hemingway uses repetition to convey intensity, frustration, or obsession.
• Use of Symbolism
  • Example: The cat represents companionship, comfort, and the wife’s desire for human connection.
  • Hemingway employs symbols to convey deeper meanings and themes.
• Emphasis on Action and Dialogue
  • Example: The story focuses on the wife’s actions (looking out the window, going downstairs) and her dialogue with George.
  • Hemingway prioritizes action and dialogue over narration to create a sense of immediacy and intimacy.
• Absence of Flowery Language
  • Example: No poetic descriptions of nature or emotions.
  • Hemingway avoids ornate language to create a sense of starkness and realism.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

Literary Theory	Interpretation	Examples from the Story
Psychoanalytic Theory	The story can be interpreted through the lens of Freudian psychoanalysis, focusing on unconscious desires and conflicts within the characters.	The American wife’s longing for the cat may symbolize her unconscious desire for affection and connection.
Feminist Theory	This approach examines gender roles, power dynamics, and societal expectations within the narrative.	The American wife’s dissatisfaction with her appearance and desire for a cat may reflect her constrained role as a woman in society.
Formalist Theory	Formalist analysis focuses on the structure, language, and literary devices used in the text.	The repetition of the word “cat” emphasizes the wife’s fixation on obtaining the animal.
Marxist Theory	Marxist interpretation explores social class, economic power, and oppression within the narrative.	The depiction of the American couple’s stay at a hotel and their interactions with the hotel staff may reflect class disparities.
Reader-Response Theory	This theory emphasizes the reader’s interpretation and response to the text, considering individual perspectives.	Readers may empathize with the American wife’s desire for companionship and her sense of isolation.
Structuralist Theory	Structuralism examines underlying binary oppositions and narrative structures within the text.	The contrast between the rainy exterior and the hotel’s interior may represent the wife’s inner turmoil.
Postcolonial Theory	Postcolonial analysis considers power dynamics, cultural imperialism, and colonial legacies within the narrative.	The presence of Italian characters and references to the war monument hint at colonial history and its impact.

Topics, Questions and Thesis Statements about “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
Loneliness and Isolation	How does the theme of loneliness manifest in “Cat in the Rain”?	In “Cat in the Rain,” Hemingway explores the profound loneliness experienced by the American wife through her longing for companionship symbolized by the cat.
Gender Roles	What role do gender expectations play in the story?	Through the portrayal of the American wife’s desire for a cat and dissatisfaction with her appearance, Hemingway critiques traditional gender roles and societal expectations.
Symbolism of the Cat	What does the cat symbolize in the narrative?	The cat in “Cat in the Rain” symbolizes the American wife’s yearning for emotional connection, comfort, and fulfillment in her life.
Communication	How do characters communicate and connect in the story?	Hemingway explores the theme of communication and connection through the interactions between the American wife and other characters, highlighting the challenges and limitations of human connection.

Short Questions/Answers about/on “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

• Question 1: How does Hemingway use the setting to reflect the characters’ emotional states?
• Answer: Hemingway uses the rain-soaked landscape to mirror the emotional desolation of the American couple. The “empty square” and “dark” room symbolize their emotional emptiness, while the “rain dripping from the palm trees” creates a sense of melancholy. The setting reinforces the couple’s disconnection and the wife’s longing for human connection, exemplified by her desire for a cat.
• Question 2: What role does the cat play in the story, and what does it symbolize?
• Answer: The cat represents companionship, comfort, and the wife’s deep-seated desire for human connection. Her fixation on the cat signifies her emotional isolation and yearning for something to care for and love. The cat’s absence underscores her sense of loneliness, while its eventual arrival offers a glimmer of hope for connection.
• Question 3: How does Hemingway’s writing style contribute to the story’s themes and tone?
• Answer: Hemingway’s sparse, direct language and use of understatement create a sense of restraint and subtlety, mirroring the couple’s emotional suppression. The iceberg principle, where more is implied than stated, adds to the story’s emotional depth. The focus on action and dialogue over narration creates an intimate, immediate tone, drawing readers into the characters’ emotional struggles.
• Question 4: What does the story suggest about the human need for connection and companionship?
• Answer: The story highlights the human desire for connection and companionship, underscoring the emotional toll of isolation. The wife’s desperation for a cat and her frustration with George’s indifference illustrate the consequences of unmet emotional needs. The story implies that people seek connections with others, even if it’s with an animal, to alleviate their emotional emptiness and find meaning.

Literary Works Similar to “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

• The Old Man and the Sea: This novel by Ernest Hemingway follows an aging fisherman, Santiago, who goes out to sea and catches a giant marlin. The story explores themes of isolation, perseverance, and the human struggle against nature.
• The Sun Also Rises: This novel by Ernest Hemingway follows a group of American and British expats living in Paris and Spain in the 1920s. The story explores themes of disillusionment, moral bankruptcy, and the search for meaning in a post-World War I world.
• A Moveable Feast: This memoir by Ernest Hemingway is a nostalgic and introspective account of his time as a young writer in Paris in the 1920s. The story explores themes of writing, love, and the human experience.
• “The Yellow Wallpaper“: This short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman follows a woman who is confined to a room by her husband and descends into madness. The story explores themes of isolation, oppression, and the search for freedom and autonomy.
• “A Good Man is Hard to Find”: This short story by Flannery O’Connor follows a family on a road trip who encounter a criminal on the run. The story explores themes of morality, family, and the American South.

Suggested Readings about/on “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

1. Lodge, David. “Analysis and Interpretation of the Realist Text: A Pluralistic Approach to Ernest Hemingway’s” Cat in the Rain”.” Poetics Today 1.4 (1980): 5-22.
2. Carter, Ronald. “Style and interpretation in Hemingway’s ‘Cat in the rain’.” The Language and Literature Reader. Routledge, 2020. 96-108.
3. Bennett, Warren. “The Poor Kitty and the Padrone and the Tortoise-shell Cat in’Cat in the Rain.” Hemingway Review 8.1 (1988): 26-36.
4. Holmesland, Oddvar. “Structuralism and interpretation: Ernest Hemingway’s ‘cat in the rain’.” (1986): 221-233.
5. Barton, Edwin J. “The story as it should be: epistemological uncertainty in Hemingway’s” Cat in the Rain.”(Ernest Hemingway).” The Hemingway Review 14.1 (1994): 72-79.
6. Felty, Darren. “Spatial Confinement in Hemingway’s” Cat in the Rain”.” Studies in Short Fiction 34.3 (1997): 363-363.
7. Breuer, Horst. “Past and Present in “Cat in the Rain” and “Old Man at the Bridge”.” Journal of the Short Story in English. Les Cahiers de la nouvelle 49 (2007): 99-108.
8. https://biblioklept.org/2014/02/11/cat-in-the-rain-ernest-hemingway/
9. https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904R23.pdf

Representative Quotations from “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway

Quotation	Context	Theorization
“I’m going down and get that kitty.”	American wife sees a cat under a table outside and wants to rescue it.	The wife’s desire to save the cat represents her need for connection and companionship.
“Don’t get wet.”	Husband warns wife about the rain.	The husband’s detachment and lack of emotional support are evident in his brief and practical response.
“Il piove.”	Wife comments on the rain to the hotel owner.	The wife’s use of Italian shows her attempt to connect with the hotel owner and the local culture.
“Si, si, Signora, brutto tempo.”	Hotel owner responds to the wife’s comment about the rain.	The hotel owner’s dignified and serious demeanor impresses the wife, who appreciates his respect and kindness.
“You must not get wet.”	Maid offers to hold an umbrella for the wife.	The maid’s concern for the wife’s well-being contrasts with the husband’s indifference.
“There was a cat.”	Wife explains to the maid why she went outside.	The wife’s repetition of her desire for a cat emphasizes her emotional investment in this desire.
“A cat in the rain?”	Maid laughs at the wife’s desire to rescue a cat in the rain.	The maid’s laughter highlights the wife’s naivety and the absurdity of her desire.
“I wanted it so much.”	Wife expresses her disappointment at not finding the cat.	The wife’s emotional intensity and sense of loss reveal her deep-seated desire for connection and companionship.
“I want a kitty to sit on my lap and purr when I stroke her.”	Wife expresses her desires to George.	The wife’s desire for a cat represents her longing for comfort, companionship, and a sense of purpose.