What was the name of the cat in the Pet Sematary? - briefly
The cat in the Pet Sematary is named Church. This feline character is a central figure in Stephen King's novel and its subsequent film adaptations.
What was the name of the cat in the Pet Sematary? - in detail
The cat in the 1983 novel "Pet Sematary" by Stephen King, and its 1989 film adaptation, is named Church. Church is a central figure in the story, belonging to the Creed family, who moves to a remote house in Ludlow, Maine. The cat's name is significant as it is a reference to the local pet cemetery, known as the "Pet Sematary," where the Creed family's pet is later buried.
Church is a large, orange tabby cat, and his name is a play on words, as "Church" can also refer to a place of worship, adding a layer of irony given the events that unfold in the narrative. The cat's demise and subsequent resurrection are pivotal moments in the story, driving the plot forward and contributing to the novel's themes of life, death, and the consequences of interfering with natural order.
In the novel, Church's death occurs when he is struck by a truck on the busy road near the Creed family's home. Louis Creed, the family's father and a physician, is devastated by the loss. Later, Jud Crandall, a neighbor, reveals the existence of the ancient Micmac burial ground behind the Pet Sematary. This ground is said to have the power to bring the dead back to life, albeit with disturbing consequences. Louis, driven by grief, buries Church in the Micmac ground, and the cat returns to life, but it is clear that Church is not the same. His behavior becomes aggressive and malevolent, reflecting the darker side of his resurrection.
The film adaptation closely follows the novel, with Church's character portrayed similarly. The cat's name and his fate serve as a harbinger of the darker events to come, emphasizing the novel's exploration of the supernatural and the dangers of tampering with the natural cycle of life and death. Church's transformation after his resurrection underscores the horror and moral dilemmas faced by the characters, making him an enduring symbol in the narrative.