Themes and message

Fantasy versus reality

The short story “Cat Person” by Kristen Roupenian explores the theme of fantasy versus reality. The theme is illustrated by Margot, who creates an ideal image of Robert in her mind. Although she is not attracted to him, she allows herself to fantasize about him: 

she did think that Robert was cute. Not so cute that she would have, say, gone up to him at a party, but cute enough that she could have drummed up an imaginary crush on him if he’d sat across from her during a dull class.

From this moment on, Margot creates a fantasy in which Robert adores her, and she has the power to hurt him and to comfort him: 

She was starting to think that she understood him—how sensitive he was, how easily he could be wounded—and that made her feel closer to him, and also powerful, because once she knew how to hurt him she also ...