Final answer:
In the story 'Black Cat', the narrator blames his crimes on the influence of hereditary evil and his own dark nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the short story 'Black Cat', the narrator blames his crimes on the influence of his hereditary evil and the dark side of his own nature.
The narrator believes that he inherited the vices and sins of his father and ancestors, which tainted him with the evil of his entire race. He feels that this hereditary evil is responsible for the crimes he commits. The narrator also acknowledges his own personal flaws and the darker aspects of his own character, such as anger, greed, and deceit, which contribute to his criminal actions.