Study Guide for Edgar Allan Poe's The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket

Plot Summary

The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket is a novel by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1838. The novel tells the story of a young man named Arthur Gordon Pym who goes on a whaling voyage to the South Seas. The voyage quickly turns into a nightmare, as the ship is attacked by pirates, and Pym and his crew are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Pym and his companions must then fight for survival against the elements, cannibals, and other dangers.

Study Guide for Edgar Allan Poe's The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket

by Vivian Ice

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1178 KB
Print length	:	16 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The novel is full of suspense and adventure, and it has been praised for its vivid imagery and its psychological insights. However, the novel is also controversial, as it contains graphic descriptions of violence and death. Some critics have accused Poe of sensationalism, while others have defended the novel as a powerful exploration of the human psyche.

Character Analysis

Arthur Gordon Pym is the protagonist of the novel. He is a young man who is eager to explore the world and to make his fortune. However, Pym is also naive and impulsive, and he often makes mistakes that put himself and his companions in danger.

Other important characters in the novel include:

• Augustus Barnard: Pym's cousin and the captain of the whaling ship Grampus.
• Dirk Peters: A sailor who is Pym's friend and confidant.
• Richard Parker: A cabin boy who is Pym's servant.
• Tsalemon: A native of an island in the South Seas who joins Pym's crew.
• Nu-Nu: Tsalemon's sister, who is also a member of Pym's crew.

Themes

The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket explores a number of themes, including:

• The dangers of exploration
• The importance of friendship
• The power of the human will
• The nature of reality

The novel also contains a number of symbols, such as:

• The ship: The ship represents the dangers of exploration and the fragility of human life.
• The island: The island represents the unknown and the challenges that lie ahead.
• The whirlpool: The whirlpool represents the power of nature and the inevitability of death.

The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket is a complex and challenging novel that has been interpreted in many different ways. The novel is a powerful exploration of the human psyche, and it is a classic of American literature.

Study Guide for Edgar Allan Poe's The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket

by Vivian Ice

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1178 KB
Print length	:	16 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE