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Field Full of Folk
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Field Full of Folk
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Cat Symbol Analysis |
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Castle on the Hill
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The neighborhood cat that torments the rats represents a tyrannical ruler and the danger of unbridled power. The cat’s behavior means that the rats live in perpetual fear, mirroring the impact of a tyrannical ruler on his powerless subjects. Although the rats want to reclaim some of their independence by tying a bell to the cat’s neck—so that they can avoid the cat when they hear it approaching—none of the rats are brave enough to be the one to fasten the bell to the cat’s collar. This echoes the way that oppressive rulers breed feelings of helplessness and cowardliness among their subjects, forcing them to stick to the status quo.