My Dear Jonathan.

I had to write a letter in english class based on the perspective of the wife from Edgar Allen Poe's "The Black Cat"....I hope you enjoy it :)

August 3, 1843

Dearest Adella,

          I’m so sorry that I haven’t written in awhile. Things have been tough so I’ve just haven’t had any time. I believe the last time you wrote, we spoke of your husband and your beautiful baby girl. But I think now is the time to speak of my dear Jonathan.

          I don’t understand my husband. We used to be so in love, but now he seems so distant, so disconnected from the world. He used to be so charming, lovable, and care-free. I married him for these qualities. Everyday seemed so right with him, when I was with him, the sun shined a little brighter and the birds chirped a little louder. He was always a perfect gentleman; holding open doors and guiding me around mud puddles. Oh! What a romantic he was! He’d take me on moonlit walks to the stream and hand-pick the most beautiful bouquets for me. I swear that man would scour the ocean just to find me the perfect sea-shell! I was so completely and utterly enjoyed when on one of our nightly strolls he knelt down on one knee, took my hand and said, “My darling, you are my only love, my soul mate, and on this beautiful night stroll, in this lovely park where we first laid eyes on each other, I would like to take your hand in marriage, I only hope that you feel the same way.” And of course, looking at this perfect gentleman in the moonlight who had loved and cherished me like I was some kind of angel sent down from the heavens themselves, I replied, “Yes, my love, I have and always will feel the same way.” But all of that changed.

          The first year was wonderful, we bought a home together. Money wasn’t exceptional, but we had enough to get us by. We owned a number of pets, birds, gold-fish, a fine dog, rabbits, a small monkey, and a cat. He loved all the animals, but the cat was by far his favorite. The cat’s name was Pluto; he was a beautiful creature, all black. Pluto would always follow him everywhere; he would even follow him around the streets! My husband was always playing with him and was the only one who would feed him. I would sometimes joke about the fact that black cats were said to be witches in disguise, just harmless teasing, of course. He would always be home at a decent hour, I would have dinner prepared, and we would sit and talk about our day, like any normal, married couple. Then, he started drinking.

          Each day he grew worse and worse, getting more irritable and moody, less patient. He would start coming home later and later, he neglected and ill-used the animals, except for Pluto of course. He even offered me personal violence and yelled at me using intemperate language. It was a horrible time, but I had hope for him, I thought he would get better, but he only got worse. One night he came home, intoxicated as always, he tried to get the cat, but Pluto bit him, so he seized him and cut his eye out! I cowered in my bed chamber in fear, what if he ever got mad at me; he could remove my eye just like he did to poor Pluto! Or even worse. I didn’t even want to think about the possibilities!

          Things got a little bit better after that; he seemed to feel bad about what he had done. He tried to please the cat, but he would run away from him. He’d lost his best friend, his favorite companion. Because of this he became severely depressed, he grieved every day, he seemed, almost shocked almost scared that he had inflicted such a wound out of pure anger. Then, yesterday morning I arose to see our poor Pluto hanging from the limb of a tree, noose around his neck. I knew immediately that he must’ve done it. Must’ve been drunk once again, but I had no way of knowing. But one thought still haunts me… How could he have done this to something he loves so dearly! Even if he was possibly drunk, how could he commit such a terrible deed! And if he could do it to Pluto, then he could possibly do it to….NO! I don’t even want to pen such horrible thoughts!

          As if things couldn’t get any worse, our house burst into flames that same night. We were lucky to even make it out alive! Now we are struggling to find a place to live. I just don’t know what to do. My dearest sister, I need help, I honestly don’t know what to do with my life anymore. I’m living in pain and suffering, I need advice, please write back as quickly as possible. I need your kind words of love and care to make it through another day with this abusive man and horrible life. I miss you and I love you with all my heart.

                             

 

   With Love,

            Constance 

Author's Note

tell me what you think about it :)