# Edgar Poe's Romance explained — An Antarctic Mystery > Chapter companion for An Antarctic Mystery by Jules Verne. ## What happens Jeorling provides a detailed summary of Edgar Allan Poe's novel 'The Adventures of Arthur Gordon Pym', recounting Pym's early life, his friendship with Augustus Barnard, their disastrous voyage on the Ariel, Pym's secret embarkation on the Grampus, the mutiny led by the cook, the role of Dirk Peters, and the subsequent journey of the Jane towards the Antarctic, including encounters at Tsalal Island. ## Themes in this chapter ### Truth vs. Fiction Jeorling questions the veracity of Poe's narrative, noting that only Len Guy believes it to be real, and contrasts plausible early events with increasingly fantastical later ones. ### Exploration and Discovery The chapter recounts Pym's voyages to the Antarctic, including the discovery of Tsalal Island and its unique features, highlighting the theme of geographical exploration. ### Survival and Endurance Pym endures extreme conditions in the hold of the Grampus—without light, water, or food—and survives a mutiny, a mad dog attack, and other perils. ### The Supernatural and Providence The narrative includes fantastical elements such as a bear on an ice fragment, a sea without icebergs, and the mysterious properties of Tsalal's streams, suggesting a supernatural or providential dimension. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. Jeorling Narrates the summary of Edgar Poe's romance, expressing skepticism about its authenticity. ### Arthur Gordon Pym Protagonist of Poe's novel; born at Nantucket, befriends Augustus Barnard, embarks secretly on the Grampus, and later sails on the Jane towards the Antarctic. ### Augustus Barnard Son of Captain Barnard, friend of Arthur Pym, accompanies him on the Ariel and Grampus, and later communicates with Pym via a note tied to Tiger. ### Dirk Peters Half-breed sailing-master on the Grampus; intervenes to save Augustus Barnard during the mutiny and later accompanies Pym on the Jane. ### Captain Len Guy Mentioned as having gone to Illinois to look for Dirk Peters, linking the novel to the current narrative. ### Tiger The dog belonging to Arthur Pym; carries a note from Augustus to Pym and is initially thought to be mad but is later found to be suffering from thirst. ### William Guy Captain of the Jane; leads the expedition to Tsalal Island and negotiates with Too-Wit for bêche-de-mer. ### Too-Wit Chief of the natives on Tsalal Island; allows Captain William Guy to build sheds and later escorts the visitors to Klock-Klock. ## Key lines > In this chapter I have to give a brief summary of Edgar Poe’s romance, which was published at Richmond under the title of The Adventures of Arthur Gordon Pym. Jeorling announces that he will summarize Poe's novel about Arthur Gordon Pym. _Introduction to the chapter's purpose._ > But indeed, among the multitude of Poe’s readers, was there ever one, with the sole exception of Len Guy, who believed them to be real? Jeorling doubts that any reader besides Len Guy considers Pym's adventures factual. _Highlights the theme of truth versus fiction._ > The story is told by the principal personage. Arthur Pym states in the preface that on his return from his voyage to the Antarctic seas he met, among the Virginian gentlemen who took an interest in geographical discoveries, Edgar Poe... Pym claims to have met Edgar Poe after his Antarctic voyage and authorized the publication of his story as fiction. _Explains the framing device of Poe's novel._ > Arthur Gordon Pym was born at Nantucket, where he attended the Bedford School until he was sixteen years old. Pym grew up in Nantucket and went to Bedford School. _Provides background on Pym's early life._ > Thus it was that the association of these youths gave rise to Pym’s irresistible vocation to adventurous voyaging, and to the instinct that especially attracted him towards the high zones of the Antarctic region. Pym's friendship with Augustus Barnard sparked his passion for Antarctic exploration. _Explains Pym's motivation for voyaging._ > The first exploit of Augustus Barnard and Arthur Pym was an excursion on board a little sloop, the Ariel, a two-decked boat which belonged to the Pyms. Pym and Barnard's first adventure was a trip on Pym's sloop, the Ariel. _Describes the initial adventure._ > One evening the two youths, both being very tipsy, embarked secretly, in cold October weather, and boldly set sail in a strong breeze from the southwest. The two boys, drunk, secretly set sail on a cold October night. _Details the reckless beginning of the Ariel voyage._ > The Ariel, aided by the ebb tide, had already lost sight of land when a violent storm arose. A storm hit after they lost sight of land. _Sets up the crisis of the Ariel adventure._ > Then came a great ship which passed over the Ariel as the Ariel would have passed a floating feather. A large ship collided with the Ariel, crushing it. _Describes the collision with the Penguin._ > At length, thanks to the second officer of the Penguin, from New London, which arrived on the scene of the catastrophe, the comrades were picked with life all but extinct, and taken back to Nantucket. The Penguin's second officer rescued Pym and Barnard and returned them to Nantucket. _Resolution of the Ariel incident._ > This adventure, to which I cannot deny an appearance veracity, was an ingenious preparation for the chapters that were to follow, and indeed, up to the day on which Pym penetrates into the polar circle, the narrative might conceivably be regarded as authentic. Jeorling admits the early part of the story seems plausible, but doubts the later Antarctic events. _Jeorling's commentary on the story's credibility._ > But, beyond the polar circle, above the austral icebergs, it is quite another thing, and, if the author’s work be not one of pure imagination, I am⁠—well, of any other nationality than my own. Jeorling insists that the events beyond the polar circle are purely imaginary. _Emphasizes the shift to fantastical elements._ > Eight months after the affair of the Ariel⁠—June, 1827⁠—the brig Grampus was fitted out by the house of Lloyd and Vredenburg for whaling in the southern seas. In June 1827, the Grampus was prepared for a whaling voyage. _Introduces the Grampus expedition._ > This brig was an old, ill-repaired craft, and Mr. Barnard, the father of Augustus, was its skipper. The Grampus was an old, poorly maintained ship captained by Augustus's father. _Describes the condition of the Grampus._ > His son, who was to accompany him on the voyage, strongly urged Arthur to go with him, and the latter would have asked nothing better, but he knew that his family, and especially his mother, would never consent to let him go. Augustus urged Pym to join the voyage, but Pym knew his mother would forbid it. _Explains Pym's dilemma._ > He announced that he had been invited to pass a few days with a friend at New Bedford, took leave of his parents and left his home. Pym lied to his parents about visiting a friend in New Bedford. _Pym's deception to join the Grampus._ > Forty-eight hours before the brig was to sail, he slipped on board unperceived, and got into a hiding-place which had been prepared for him unknown alike to Mr. Barnard and the crew. Pym secretly boarded the Grampus and hid in a prepared compartment. _Pym's secret embarkation._ > The cabin occupied by Augustus communicated by a trapdoor with the hold of the Grampus, which was crowded with barrels, bales, and the innumerable components of a cargo. Augustus's cabin had a trapdoor leading to the cluttered hold. _Describes the hiding place._ > Through the trapdoor Arthur Pym reached his hiding-place, which was a huge wooden chest with Pym hid in a large wooden chest accessed via the trapdoor. _Details Pym's specific hiding spot._ > light, he succeeded in rubbing the paper with a little phosphorus⁠—(the details given in Edgar Poe’s narrative are curiously minute at this point)⁠—and then by the glimmer that lasted less than a second he discerned just seven words at the end of a sentence. Pym used phosphorus to briefly illuminate a note and read seven words. _Pym's method of reading the note._ > Terrifying words these were: blood⁠—remain hidden⁠—life depends on it. The note warned Pym to stay hidden, mentioning blood. _Content of the warning note._ > What did these words mean? Let us consider the situation of Arthur Pym, at the bottom of the ship’s hold, between the boards of a chest, without light, without water, with only ardent liquor to quench his thirst! Jeorling reflects on Pym's dire situation in the dark hold with only liquor. _Highlights Pym's suffering._ > And this warning to remain hidden, preceded by the word “blood”⁠—that supreme word, king of words, so full of mystery, of suffering, of terror! The word 'blood' in the note evokes mystery and terror. _Jeorling's dramatic interpretation._ > Had there been strife on board the Grampus? Had the brig been attacked by pirates? Had the crew mutinied? Jeorling speculates about possible violence on the Grampus. _Questions about the ship's situation._ > Arthur Pym lay stretched upon his mattress, incapable of thought, in a sort of lethargy; suddenly he became aware of a singular sound, a kind of continuous whistling breathing. Pym, in a lethargic state, heard a whistling breathing sound. _Pym's encounter with Tiger._ > It was Tiger, panting, Tiger with eyes that glared in the midst of the darkness, Tiger with gnashing teeth⁠—Tiger gone mad. Tiger the dog appeared mad, with glaring eyes and gnashing teeth. _Description of Tiger's apparent madness._ > Another moment and the dog had sprung upon Arthur Pym, who, wound up to the highest pitch of horror, recovered sufficient strength to ward off his fangs, and wrapping around him a blanket which Tiger had torn with his white teeth, he slipped out of the chest, and shut the sliding side upon the snapping and struggling brute. Pym fought off Tiger and trapped him inside the chest. _Pym's escape from the dog._ > Arthur Pym contrived to slip through the stowage of the hold, but his head swam, and, falling against a bale, he let his knife drop from his hand. Pym stumbled through the hold, dizzy, and dropped his knife. _Pym's weakened state._ > Just as he felt himself breathing his last sigh he heard his name pronounced, and a bottle of water was held to his lips. As Pym was about to die, someone called his name and gave him water. _Rescue by Augustus._ > He swallowed the whole of its contents, and experienced the most exquisite of pleasures. Pym drank the water and felt immense relief. _Pym's relief after drinking._ > A few minutes later, Augustus Barnard, seated with his comrade in a corner of the hold, told him all that had occurred on board the brig. Augustus explained the events on the Grampus to Pym. _Augustus's account of the mutiny._ > Up to this point, I repeat, the story is admissible, but we have not yet come to the events which “surpass all probability by their marvellousness.” Jeorling reiterates that the story is plausible so far, but warns of more incredible events. _Jeorling's skepticism._ > The crew of the Grampus numbered thirty-six men, including the Barnards, father and son. The Grampus had a crew of 36, including the Barnards. _Crew size._ > After the brig had put to sea on the 20th of June, Augustus Barnard had made several attempts to rejoin Arthur Pym in his hiding place, but in vain. Augustus tried but failed to reach Pym after the Grampus sailed. _Augustus's failed attempts._ > On the third day a mutiny broke out on board, headed by the ship’s cook, a negro like our Endicott; but he, let me say at once, would never have thought of heading a mutiny. A mutiny led by the cook occurred on the third day, but Jeorling notes Endicott would never do such a thing. _Mutiny on the Grampus._ > Numerous incidents are related in the romance⁠—the massacre of most of the sailors who remained faithful to Captain Barnard, then the turning adrift of the captain and four of those men in a small whaler’s boat when the ship was abreast of the Bermudas. The mutineers killed loyal sailors and set Captain Barnard and four others adrift near Bermuda. _Fate of Captain Barnard._ > These unfortunate persons were never heard of again. The castaways were never seen again. _Disappearance of the captain._ > Augustus Barnard would not have been spared, but for the intervention of the sailing-master of the Grampus. Augustus was spared only because the sailing-master intervened. _Augustus's survival._ > This sailing-master was a half-breed named Dirk Peters, and was the person whom Captain Len Guy had gone to look for in Illinois! The sailing-master was Dirk Peters, the same man Captain Len Guy sought in Illinois. _Identifies Dirk Peters._ > The Grampus then took a southeast course under the command of the mate, who intended to pursue the occupation of piracy in the southern seas. The mate took command and sailed southeast to engage in piracy. _Mutineers' plan._ > These events having taken place, Augustus Barnard would again have joined Arthur Pym, but he had been shut up in the forecastle in irons, and told by the ship’s cook that he would not be allowed to come out until “the brig should be no longer a brig.” Augustus was chained in the forecastle and told he would remain until the brig ceased to exist. _Augustus's imprisonment._ > Nevertheless, a few days afterwards, Augustus contrived to get rid of his fetters, to cut through the thin partition between him and the hold, and, followed by Tiger, he tried to reach his friend’s hiding place. Augustus freed himself, cut through a partition, and tried to reach Pym with Tiger. _Augustus's escape attempt._ > He could not succeed, but the dog had scented Arthur Pym, and this suggested to Augustus the idea of fastening a note to Tiger’s neck bearing the words: “I scrawl this with blood⁠—remain hidden⁠—your life depends on it⁠—” Unable to reach Pym, Augustus tied a warning note to Tiger's neck. _Delivery of the note via Tiger._ > This note, as we have already learned, Arthur Pym had received. Pym had received the note earlier. _Confirms receipt._ > Augustus added that discord reigned among the mutineers. Some wanted to take the Grampus towards the Cape Verde Islands; others, and Dirk Peters was of this number, were bent on sailing to the Pacific Isles. The mutineers disagreed on their destination, with some favoring Cape Verde and others the Pacific. _Discord among mutineers._ > Tiger was not mad. He was only suffering from terrible thirst, and soon recovered when it was relieved. Tiger was not rabid but merely thirsty, and recovered after drinking. _Explanation of Tiger's behavior._ > of the British Navy, who did not get beyond the seventy-fourth parallel in 1822. A British naval officer failed to go beyond the 74th parallel in 1822. _Historical reference to polar exploration._ > But the achievement of the Jane, although difficult of belief, is trifling in comparison with the succeeding incidents which Arthur Pym, or rather Edgar Poe, relates with simple earnestness. The Jane's feat is minor compared to later incredible events in Poe's story. _Jeorling's commentary on the narrative's escalation._ > In fact he entertained no doubt of reaching the pole itself. Pym was confident of reaching the South Pole. _Pym's ambition._ > In the first place, not a single iceberg is to be seen on this fantastic sea. The polar sea had no icebergs. _Fantastical element._ > Innumerable flocks of birds skim its surface, among them is a pelican which is shot. Birds, including a pelican, were shot on the sea. _Wildlife in the polar sea._ > On a floating piece of ice is a bear of the Arctic species and of gigantic size. A giant Arctic bear was seen on an ice floe. _Unusual sighting._ > At last land is signalled. It is an island of a league in circumference, to which the name of Bennet Islet was given, in honour of the captain’s partner in the ownership of the Jane. Land was sighted and named Bennet Islet after the captain's partner. _Discovery of Bennet Islet._ > Naturally, in proportion as the schooner sailed southwards the variation of the compass became less, while the temperature became milder, with a sky always clear and a uniform northerly breeze. As they sailed south, the compass variation decreased, temperatures rose, and the sky remained clear with a steady north wind. _Unusual polar conditions._ > Needless to add that in that latitude and in the month of January there was no darkness. There was continuous daylight in January at that latitude. _Midnight sun._ > The Jane pursued her adventurous course, until, on the 18th of January, land was sighted in latitude 83° 20′ and longitude 43° 5′. On January 18, land was sighted at 83°20′S, 43°5′W. _Coordinates of Tsalal._ > This proved to be an island belonging to a numerous group scattered about in a westerly direction. The land was an island in a western archipelago. _Archipelago description._ > The schooner approached and anchored off the shore. The Jane anchored near the island. _Anchoring._ > Arms were placed in the boats, and Arthur Pym got into one of the latter with Dirk Peters. Armed boats were launched, with Pym and Peters in one. _Preparation for landing._ > The men rowed shorewards, but were stopped by four canoes carrying armed men, “new men” the narrative calls them. Four canoes with armed natives intercepted the boats. _First contact with natives._ > These men showed no hostile intentions, but cried out continuously “anamoo” and “lamalama.” The natives shouted 'anamoo' and 'lamalama' without hostility. _Native greeting._ > When the canoes were alongside the schooner, the chief, Too-Wit, was permitted to go on board with twenty of his companions. Chief Too-Wit and 20 natives boarded the Jane. _Chief boards ship._ > There was profound astonishment on their part then, for they took the ship for a living creature, and lavished caresses on the rigging, the masts, and the bulwarks. The natives thought the ship was alive and caressed its parts. _Native reaction to the ship._ > Steered between the reefs by these natives, she crossed a bay with a bottom of black sand, and cast anchor within a mile of the beach. Natives guided the ship through reefs to anchor near a black-sand beach. _Navigation to anchorage._ > Then William Guy, leaving the hostages on board, stepped ashore amid the rocks. Captain William Guy went ashore, leaving hostages on the ship. _Captain goes ashore._ > If Arthur Pym is to be believed, this was Tsalal Island! Pym claimed this was Tsalal Island. _Identification of Tsalal._ > Its trees resembled none of the species in any other zone of our planet. The island's trees were unlike any known species. _Unique flora._ > The composition of the rocks revealed a stratification unknown to modern mineralogists. The rock strata were unfamiliar to mineralogists. _Unique geology._ > Over the bed of the streams ran a liquid substance without any appearance of limpidity, streaked with distinct veins, which did not reunite by immediate cohesion when they were parted by the blade of a knife! Streams contained a non-transparent, veined liquid that did not rejoin when cut. _Mysterious liquid._ > Klock-Klock, which we are obliged to describe as the chief “town” of the island, consisted of wretched huts entirely formed of black skins; it possessed domestic animals resembling the common pig, a sort of sheep with a black fleece, twenty kinds of fowls, tame albatross, ducks, and large turtles in great numbers. Klock-Klock was a town of black-skin huts with pigs, black-fleeced sheep, fowl, albatross, ducks, and turtles. _Description of Klock-Klock._ > On arriving at Klock-Klock, Captain William Guy and his companions found a population⁠—which Arthur Pym estimated at ten thousand souls, men, women, and children⁠—if not to be feared, at least to be kept at a distance, so noisy and demonstrative were they. The population of Klock-Klock was about 10,000, noisy and demonstrative. _Population size._ > Finally, after a long halt at the hut of Too-Wit, the strangers returned to the shore, where the “bêche-de-mer”⁠—the favourite food of the Chinese⁠—would provide enormous cargoes; for the succulent mollusk is more abundant there than in any other part of the austral regions. After visiting Too-Wit's hut, the party returned to shore where bêche-de-mer was abundant. _Bêche-de-mer resource._ > Captain William Guy immediately endeavoured to come to an understanding with Too-Wit on this matter, requesting him to authorize the construction of sheds in which some of the men of the Jane might prepare the bêche-de-mer, while the schooner should hold on her course towards the Pole. Captain Guy negotiated with Too-Wit to build sheds for processing bêche-de-mer while the ship continued toward the Pole. _Negotiation with Too-Wit._ > Too-Wit accepted this proposal willingly, and made a bargain by which the natives were to give their labour in the gathering-in of the precious mollusk. Too-Wit agreed and arranged for native labor to collect the mollusk. _Agreement reached._ > At the end of a month, the sheds being finished, three men were told off to remain at Tsalal. After a month, sheds were built and three men stayed on Tsalal. _Sheds completed._ > The natives had not given the strangers cause to entertain the slightest suspicion of them. The natives had not aroused any suspicion. _Apparent trust._ > Before leaving the place, Captain William Guy wished to return once more to the village of Klock-Klock, having, from prudent motives, left six men on board, the guns charged, the bulwark nettings in their place, the anchor hanging at the forepeak⁠—in a word, all in readiness to oppose an approach of the natives. Captain Guy decided to revisit Klock-Klock, leaving the ship prepared for defense. _Precautions before departure._ > Too-Wit, escorted by a hundred warriors, came out to meet the visitors. Too-Wit met them with 100 warriors. _Escort by warriors._ > Captain William Guy and his men, although the place was propitious to an ambuscade, walked in close order, each pressing upon the other. The party walked in tight formation despite the risk of ambush. _Cautious march._ > On the right, a little in advance, were Arthur Pym, Dirk Peters, and a sailor named Allen. Pym, Peters, and sailor Allen walked slightly ahead on the right. _Positions in the group._ > Having reached a They arrived at a point... _Incomplete excerpt._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_antarctic_mystery_se/chapters/v-edgar-poe-s-romance - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_antarctic_mystery_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/an_antarctic_mystery_se/chapters