Beginning of Essay
“More likely the cat was just unlucky” (l. 1-2). In this narrative poem “”, by Alastair Reid, he gives a dissertation on cats and dogs. Cats are adventurous and dogs do not take chances. Reid uses symbols Have you ever heard the saying “ killed the cat ....

Middle of Essay
.... the other symbol used for people, are the ones afraid to break the monotony of their everyday lives consisting of “doggy circles where well-smelt baskets, suitable wives, good lunches are the order of things, and where prevails much wagging of incurious heads and tails.” (ll. 11-14). They refuse to take chances because of possible detrimental outcomes that could alter their lives. “Nevertheless, to be curious is dangerous enough.” (ll. 6-7). Reid uses the poetic device, allegory, to convey a moral to the readers of this poem. He emphasizes the principles of the cats to demonstrate that people should not conform to a simple life just because ....