The speaker is an unnamed observer who tries to intensely study and grasp the essence of the black cat. He attempts to penetrate the cat's nature through intense visual focus but finds his strongest gaze completely absorbed by its dark fur. As he continues his observation, he experiences a sudden reversal of power, feeling deeply diminished when the animal finally acknowledges him.

The black cat is a mysterious, highly self-contained animal with striking amber eyes. She possesses a deep, lightless coat that swallows all human attention and glances without showing any reaction. Aloof and deeply indifferent, she retains the looks of others inside her memory, observing them internally like a sullen audience before turning her gaze outward.

The raving madman is an institutionalized figure who charges howling into the darkness of his environment. He pounds on the padded wall of his cell, finding that the wall eventually absorbs his inchoate rage and calms his mind. He appears in the text as an extended simile to explain how the cat handles human attention.