Answer and Explanation:
This question refers to the short story "The Black Cat", by author Edgar Allan Poe.
Interestingly the narrator capitalizes certain nouns such as fiend, intemperance, gin, rum, alcohol and horror.
Why do you suppose he does this?
Nouns are supposed to only be capitalized when they are proper nouns, that is, when they name something or someone specific. In a sense, a proper noun would be more important than a common noun since the latter refers to something more general, unspecified.
<u>Thus, we can infer that the narrator capitalizes "fiend, intemperance, gin, rum, alcohol and horror" to attribute importance to these nouns. They are now referring to something specific. In a way, the narrator is personifying those nouns, making them as important as people. In other words, those nouns probably play an important role in the narrator's life; they most likely influence him, which is why he capitalizes them.</u>
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What does the capitalization show about the narrator's state of mind?
<u>It shows that he is out of control, most likely insane. He seems to perceive intemperance, alcohol, and horror as powerful things, capable of influencing his behavior and decisions. He gives those nouns importance as if to blame them for his murderous actions.</u>
