Primarily, it has to do with color. No other big cat that's naturally black that I know of, and black obviously fits the noir/horror color scheme to a tee.
Your comment might also touch on the zookeeper's rant on the panther as an evil beast of the Apocalypse, "like unto a leopard" (which gets the phrase rightly, but cheats a bit by omitting the rest of the description which goes on to say that "his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion" (Rev 13:2)). The zookeeper's moralistic interpretation of what is after all just a wild animal mirrors Oliver's (and everyone else's) misreading of Irena, who, as they finally have to admit, "never lies to them."
Oh okay that makes sense. I was not sure if there was a deeper meaning, but it makes sense to choose a panther simply because of the size and color of the beast.
I agree the use of a panther is because of the color. Black is considered dark, evil, mysterious. All the traits we are meant to see in Irena. As to other cats not liking her is a typical reaction most all cats have to other cats, unlike dogs that may be a little timid at first, but generally are eager to play and be friendly.
While we were watching Cat People the question you raise about why Panther was specifically chosen did not cross my mind but that really make sense because even in Irena's appartment the figurine of black Panther was in her appartment. A good question.
Primarily, it has to do with color. No other big cat that's naturally black that I know of, and black obviously fits the noir/horror color scheme to a tee.
ReplyDeleteYour comment might also touch on the zookeeper's rant on the panther as an evil beast of the Apocalypse, "like unto a leopard" (which gets the phrase rightly, but cheats a bit by omitting the rest of the description which goes on to say that "his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion" (Rev 13:2)). The zookeeper's moralistic interpretation of what is after all just a wild animal mirrors Oliver's (and everyone else's) misreading of Irena, who, as they finally have to admit, "never lies to them."
Oh okay that makes sense. I was not sure if there was a deeper meaning, but it makes sense to choose a panther simply because of the size and color of the beast.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little confused as to why cats don't like her if she is descended from cat people? I would have thought they would be...friendlier...
ReplyDeleteI agree the use of a panther is because of the color. Black is considered dark, evil, mysterious. All the traits we are meant to see in Irena. As to other cats not liking her is a typical reaction most all cats have to other cats, unlike dogs that may be a little timid at first, but generally are eager to play and be friendly.
ReplyDeleteWhile we were watching Cat People the question you raise about why Panther was specifically chosen did not cross my mind but that really make sense because even in Irena's appartment the figurine of black Panther was in her appartment. A good question.
ReplyDelete