Branliest 20 points

"the black cat" is an example of

american reform literature
american realist literature
american transcendentalist literature
american gothic literature

American Gothic Literature.

Explanation:

Gothic literature most primarily focus on the dark side of human nature. American Gothic literature also deals with the same theme, with Edgar Allen Poe most prominent among the famous writers. His works mainly deal with themes that are based on death, grief, the supernatural elements, with plots that shows murders, remorse but from the grave, and the physical and mental torture of somebody or someone in the story.

The story of "The Black Cat" by Poe is also a part of this American Gothic literature. it deals with the theme of murder, where the narrator and murderer tells us of his actions that led to his current condition. He killed his beloved cat Pluto, imagined that he saw his 'silhouette' on a wall after his house burned down and then unintentionally killed his wife in his attempt to hurt his new cat. Moreover, the cat who was buried live along with the dead woman in one of the walls as a cover-up of his murderous act, came back to haunt him and revealed his secret. Thus, he was arrested and sentenced to death.