What Idea Do You Get About American Society from the Relationship of the Couple in “Cat in the Rain”?

Answer

What idea do you get about American society from the relationship of the couple in “Cat in the Rain”?

Or, Write an essay on the theme of alienation in “Cat in the Rain.” 

Ernest Hemingway’s (1899-1961) short story “Cat in the Rain” (1925) presents a thought-provoking exploration of alienation. Through the relationship of the American couple, the story portrays how people can feel disconnected from their closest companions in American society. The theme of alienation is central to the wife’s experiences. In the short story, we see the American wife’s emotional isolation, her longing for connection, and her struggle to find fulfillment.

The Setting Reflects Alienation: The story begins on a rainy day in a small Italian town. The American couple is staying at a hotel that overlooks a public garden, a sea, and a war monument. However, the rainy weather creates a sense of emptiness. It is raining outside, and nobody is in sight. The narrator describes the scene:

It was raining…. The motor cars were gone from the square by the war monument.

This bleak setting mirrors the emotional isolation of the wife. The surroundings are empty, much like her relationship with her husband. The couple is also alienated as foreigners in Italy. It further amplifies their loneliness.

The Wife’s Emotional Isolation: The wife’s alienation is most evident in her relationship with her husband, George. He is absorbed in reading and shows little interest in her feelings. When she expresses her desire to rescue the cat, George offers to fetch it at first. However, he really does not mean it and quickly returns to his book. His indifference highlights the emotional distance between them.

Even when the wife shares her desires for change, such as growing her hair long or wanting a baby, George responds coldly. He tells her to “shut up and get something to read.” His lack of empathy leaves the wife feeling lonely and unimportant.

The Cat as a Symbol of Desire: The cat becomes a symbol of the wife’s deep longing for companionship and emotional intimacy. She says,

I want to have a kitty to sit on my lap and purr when I stroke her.

This simple desire represents her need for affection, which she does not receive from her husband. The cat also symbolizes her feminine desire to have a baby. When the cat disappears, the wife’s disappointment highlights her unfulfilled longing.

The Hotel-Keeper’s Politeness: The hotelkeeper briefly provides a contrast to the wife’s alienation. The American wife appreciates his behavior and thinks,

She liked the way he wanted to serve her.

However, this connection is shallow and formal. Even this interaction does not ease her sense of isolation.

To wrap up, in “Cat in the Rain,” Hemingway masterfully captures the theme of alienation through the relationship of the American couple. The rainy setting, the husband’s indifference, and the wife’s longing for the cat emphasize her isolation and unfulfilled desires. The story shows how emotional disconnection can persist even in close relationships.