The Cat Inside is a late publication by Beat Generation member William Burroughs. The novella is an autobiographical account of living with cats. It explores the ordinary details of cat lives, as well as their joyful triumphs and moving tragedies. Burroughs conveys his message through the use of lucid dream episodes and discussions of the mythological history of felines. Near the end of the narrative, the author contemplates the future of cats and other animal species in a world wrought with environmental problems. Ultimately, the text highlights the importance of cats to continued human existence.
The book was first published as a limited edition by Grenfell Press in 1986. Only a few dozen copies were initially produced. V…
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Citation: Weidner, Chad. "The Cat Inside". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 15 July 2011 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=1360, accessed 08 October 2024.]