The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym
by Edgar Allan Poe
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket is the only complete novel written by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. The work relates the tale of the young Arthur Gordon Pym who stows away aboard a whaling ship called Grampus. Various adventures and misadventures befall Pym including shipwreck, mutiny, and cannibalism before he is saved by the crew of the Jane Guy. Aboard this vessel, Pym and a sailor named Dirk Peters continue their adventures further south. Docking on land, they encounter hostile black-skinned natives before escaping back to the ocean. The novel ends abruptly as Pym and Peters continue towards the South Pole.
Source: Poe, E. A. (1903). The Narrative of Gordon Pym.New York, NY: P.F. Collier and Son.
- Introduction
- Introduction to the the text.
- Chapter 1
- A sudden and violent storm interrupts Pym's sailing trip.
- Chapter 2
- In the pursuit of greater sailing adventures, Pym and Augustus decide to become stowaways.
- Chapter 3
- While in hiding upon ship, Pym receives a strange and ominous message.
- Chapter 4
- Augustus tells Pym of the mutiny aboard ship.
- Chapter 5
- Dirk Peters continues to provide assistance to Augustus and Pym.
- Chapter 6
- Pym describes his experiences on ship with the mutinous crew in charge.
- Chapter 7
- Peters, Pym, and Augustus devise a plan for taking back the ship.
- Chapter 8
- In the midst of a storm, Peters, Pym, and Augustus attempt to take control of the ship.
- Chapter 9
- With the intensity of the storm increasing, the four men lash themselves to the hull in order to survive.
- Chapter 10
- While adrift at sea, Pym and the remaining crew prematurely celebrate their rescue.
- Chapter 11
- With no provisions available to them, the groups hungers continues to grow. Parker makes a grim suggestion.
- Chapter 12
- The remaining crew considers Parker's suggestion, eventually drawing lots to make the fateful decision.
- Chapter 13
- The party takes a drastic measure in the face of starvation. Augustus succumbs to his wounds.
- Chapter 14
- Pym and Peters join the crew of the Jane Guy.
- Chapter 15
- Taking advantage of his new situation, Pym takes an interest in the areas wildlife.
- Chapter 16
- At the suggestion of Pym, the captain of the Jane Guy heads south.
- Chapter 17
- The Jane Guy continues its journey south.
- Chapter 18
- The Jane Guy finally encounters land. The crew embarks inland to explore the island.
- Chapter 19
- The chief and the ship's captain engage in trade. The Jane Guy plans its departure from the island.
- Chapter 20
- With the departure of the Jane Guy at hand, the natives let their true intentions be known.
- Chapter 21
- As the only survivors of the massacre, Pym and Peters take refuge on the island.
- Chapter 22
- Pym and Peters observe the behaviors of the natives, all the while still in hiding.
- Chapter 23
- Pym and Peters continue to search for a means of escape from the island.
- Chapter 24
- Having not eaten for weeks, Pym and Peters take drastic action in escaping the island.
- Chapter 25
- Pym, Peters, and the native proceed south, eventually encountering a very strange mist.