Final answer:
The first-person narration in 'The Black Cat' provides insight into the narrator's reasoning and feelings but falls under the unreliability of the narrator. The narrative represents his perspective and emotional state, which often rationalizes his actions by externalizing blame.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first-person point of view in Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat influences the text's meaning by providing an intimate glimpse into the narrator's thoughts and feelings. We see the story through his perspective, thus understanding his actions and rationale in the story. However, it is crucial to remember he is an unreliable narrator; his explanations might not represent the objective truth. For example, his demon-like fury and departure from his original soul show his mental state's intensity, not necessarily that he was possessed by a demon. He rationalizes cruel treatment toward the cat as being driven by something beyond his control, instead of accepting personal responsibility for his actions.
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