What does the cat represent in the novel, African Passions?

The cat in this story symbolizes the relationship of Teresa and Armando. Teresa found the cat in the streets on the same day that she and Armando moved into their apartment, which marked the beginning of their living together. Both characters appear to have feelings for the cat, although it is Teresa who feeds it and must retrieve the dead cat from the alley below when the gods push the cat out of the window.