Cat in the Rain: A Short Story by Ernest Hemingway

Cat in the Rain is a story that was published in 1925. The story touches upon different themes such as loveless marriage, sadness, and fertility through symbols such as the cat and the rain. It is said that Hemingway wrote the story as a tribute to his then-pregnant wife, who wanted a cat but couldn't get one because of their problems.

Summary

The story follows an American couple staying at a hotel in Italy. It is raining outside and they saw a tortoise-shell cat trying to stay dry. The woman wants to get the cat inside and her husband offers to get it for her. She says she can get the cat by herself and gets out of the room. On her way, she sees the hotel keeper whom she likes and talks to him. She then goes after the cat. A maid, sent by the hotel keeper, approaches her with an umbrella as she goes outside. Together they go to where the cat was but can't find it. The American woman returns to her room and tells her husband she couldn't find the cat. Then, she starts talking about growing her short hair longer and everything she wants. Her husband responds by telling her to shut up and read something. The story ends with the maid coming to their room with a cat, saying the hotel keeper sent it to the woman.

Symbolism

Cat in the Rain is a story with heavy symbolism. Although it has easy grammar and can be read without trouble, it has many layers to understand. Let's analyze the symbolism of the story.

Tortoise-shell Cat: Tortoise-shell cats are mostly female because of their genetics and in the story, the cat is described as a female. This can be a symbol of femininity. Throughout the story, it can be seen that the woman is sympathizing with the cat. This is because the woman sees herself trapped in a loveless marriage, just like the cat in the rain. It can also symbolize the woman's desire to love and be loved innocence, and a baby. Tortoise-shell cats are also a symbol of luck.

The War Monument: The War Monument shows the setting. The story was published in 1925, after World War I. It also symbolizes the destruction the war brought to people.

Rain: The rain symbolizes sadness and the loveless marriage. It looks like a sad symbol, but the rain cleans the air and makes the crops grow, which could symbolize a new beginning.

Hotel Room: The hotel room symbolizes how trapped the woman feels in the marriage. This can also be understood from the couple being American while visiting Italy, having no one but each other.

The Hotel-keeper Sending the Cat to the Woman: This symbolizes the love the woman desired would be only fulfilled by a man other than her husband. Another interpretation would be that she wouldn't have a baby with her current husband and needs to be with another man if she wants to have a baby.

Short Hair: In the story, the woman has short hair, which was very popular in the 1920s, when the story was published. She wants to grow her hair, which can be associated with femininity and fertility. This symbolizes the woman's desire to be more feminine and, maybe, have a baby.

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