Symbols

Hemingway's use of symbolism in "Cat in the Rain" adds depth and complexity to the narrative, allowing readers to infer deeper meanings from seemingly mundane elements. Two key symbols in the story are the war monument and the rainy Italian setting.

The war monument, briefly mentioned in the story, is a typical reference for Hemingway and serves as a reminder of the lingering consequences of World War I. This symbol connects the story to the broader context of Hemingway's post-war writings and the theme of displacement that runs through much of his work.

Highlight: The presence of the war monument subtly links the story to themes of loss, displacement, and the aftermath of conflict, which were central to Hemingway's post-war writings.

The rainy Italian setting creates a gloomy, dark atmosphere that reflects the emotional state of the characters, particularly the American wife. This setting is typical of Hemingway's style and serves multiple purposes:

1. It establishes a melancholic mood that permeates the entire story.
2. It emphasizes the characters' status as foreigners in an unfamiliar environment.
3. The rain itself becomes a symbol of the wife's discontent and desire for change.

Example: The wife's empathy for the "poor kitty out in the rain" can be seen as a projection of her own feelings of vulnerability and displacement in a foreign country.

The Italian setting also holds personal significance for Hemingway, who served in the Italian Army during World War I. This biographical connection adds another layer of meaning to the story, tying it to Hemingway's own experiences of war and its aftermath.

These symbols contribute to the story's exploration of themes such as alienation, marital discord, and the search for meaning in a post-war world. They exemplify Hemingway's iceberg theory by suggesting deeper meanings beneath the surface of the narrative.

Narrative Perspective

Hemingway employs a third-person selective omniscient narrative perspective in "Cat in the Rain". This narrative choice allows the reader to gain insight into the thoughts and feelings of the American wife while maintaining a degree of distance from the other characters.

The narrator provides access to the wife's inner world, revealing her likes, dislikes, and emotional state. For example, lines 40-44 show the wife's positive feelings towards the hotel keeper, providing crucial insight into her character and the dynamics of her relationships.

Highlight: The selective omniscient perspective allows Hemingway to focus on the wife's perspective while still maintaining an objective tone in the narration.

This narrative approach is particularly effective in supporting Hemingway's iceberg theory, as it allows him to hint at deeper emotional currents without explicitly stating them. The limited access to other characters' thoughts leaves room for interpretation and adds to the story's underlying tension.

It's worth noting that a first-person narrative would have created a more personal and potentially biased account of events. By choosing a third-person perspective, Hemingway maintains a level of objectivity while still providing intimate access to the protagonist's inner world.

Example: The narrator's focus on the wife's thoughts about the hotel keeper (lines 37-44) suggests her dissatisfaction with her husband without explicitly stating it, exemplifying Hemingway's subtle approach to character development.

Relationships

The relationships depicted in "Cat in the Rain" are central to understanding the story's themes and the emotional landscape of the characters. Hemingway uses these relationships to explore ideas of marital discord, cultural displacement, and unfulfilled desires.

The marriage between the American wife and her husband George is portrayed as distant and unloving. George is characterized as thoughtless and uncaring, as evidenced by his dismissive responses to his wife's desires (lines 87, 112, 120). The wife, in contrast, craves more affection and attention (line 105), highlighting the emotional disconnect between the couple.

Quote: "'Oh, shut up and get something to read,' George said. He was reading again." This interaction (lines 112-113) succinctly demonstrates the lack of emotional connection and communication in their relationship.

In contrast to her relationship with George, the wife seems to have a more positive connection with the hotel keeper. She praises him (lines 40-44), and he demonstrates thoughtfulness towards her by sending an umbrella when she goes out in the rain and later sending the maid with a cat (lines 52, 128). This juxtaposition serves to further emphasize the wife's dissatisfaction with her marriage.

Highlight: The contrast between the wife's interactions with her husband and the hotel keeper underscores her emotional needs and the lack of fulfillment in her marriage.

These relationship dynamics contribute significantly to the story's exploration of loneliness, cultural displacement, and the search for connection in a foreign environment. They also exemplify Hemingway's iceberg theory, as the true nature of these relationships is largely implied rather than explicitly stated.