On one such occasion, the narrator notes that Pluto is trying to hide from him because he is in such a violent state of mind as a result, the narrator grabs Pluto abruptly and, when the startled cat bites his hand, he stabs its eye with a penknife, blinding it. The narrator then began to drink alcohol heavily and stay out during the nighttime, staggering home very late. As time went on, however, this changed and he became prey to certain wicked human emotions as "Intemperance" and "Perverseness," and these feelings of excess and cruelty began to consume him. The man and his cat built a close bond that was nurtured for years, and the fact that not even his wife feeds the cat suggests this. Our friendship lasted, in this manner, for several years" Poe, pg. It was even with difficulty that I could prevent him from following me through the streets. I alone fed him, and he attended me wherever I went about the house. These creatures included "birds, gold-fish, a fine dog, rabbits, a small monkey, and a cat." In regard to the cat, " Pluto - this was the cat's name - was my favorite pet and playmate. He married a woman who shared this same good natured attitude for all living things, and she brings many animals into the house because they share this in common. Now, the columns are once again vivid, black cats peer down from the wall, and replicas of the original effigies sit stoically near the door.The narrator, declaring that he will die tomorrow, describes himself as a caring and loving man, who from the earliest days of his youth was mocked by others for his timidity and concern for all living things. It wasn’t until 1996, when the building came under new ownership, that its former grandeur was restored. Its signature decor was stripped away, and the two iconic cats that once sat outside the door were shipped off and separated. In the early 1960s, the building was converted into office spaces. A chariot race was even staged nearby.īut the factory’s Egyptian flair didn’t last for long. Performance from the opera Aida paraded around the building and other actors donned themed garb to set the mood. Sand was dumped on the pavement outside to make onlookers feel as though they’d been swept away to the desert. Based on its original plans, the building was meant to take the shape of a temple to the goddess.Įven the factory’s grand opening was packed with Egyptian revival extravagance. Vibrant Egyptian-style columns were erected outside the building’s exterior and two regal cat effigies meant to symbolize the goddess Bastet guarded its entrance. The company adopted a black cat as its logo, and kept this nod to its humble roots even after its grand Egyptian revival-style factory was unveiled in the 1920s.Īt the time people around the world were captivated by stories of ancient Egypt, thanks to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The Carreras Tobacco Company got its start in the 19th century as a small shop known for the local cat who frequently enjoyed napping in its window. Two enormous cat statues man the door like feline guards ready to inspect anyone who attempts to enter. The faces of black cats line the wall, their yellow eyes constantly staring at the street. Walk by this old cigarette factory, and you can’t help but feel like you’re being watched.
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