The Adventures of Captain Hatteras · Chapter
XVI: Northern Arcadia explained
On May 29th, the sun does not set for the first time, marking the beginning of continuous daylight.
What happens
On May 29th, the sun does not set for the first time, marking the beginning of continuous daylight. The doctor observes a magnificent halo and notes the arrival of birds. As snow melts, the landscape transforms, and the doctor plants seeds, discovering natural sorrel. The temperature rises to 57°F by June 15th, and the ice begins to break. A trip to Johnson Island is made, and Hatteras explores the lands beyond Cape Washington. The launch is being built by Bell and Johnson. On June 17th, Hatteras, the doctor, and Altamont embark on a hunting trip to the east. They encounter Arctic hares, ptarmigan, and reindeer that show no fear, indicating they have never seen humans. The doctor advocates for kindness and refrains from shooting, naming the valley 'Northern Arcadia.' They spend the night in a rock cleft without killing any animals.
Themes in this chapter
Exploration and Discovery
The chapter details the explorers' observations of the arctic spring, the melting ice, and the naming of Johnson Island, as well as the hunting trip to explore eastern lands.
The Sublime and Dangerous Nature
The arctic landscape is depicted as both beautiful and harsh, with the sun's halo, melting ice, avalanches, and the transformation of the land.
Friendship and Companionship
The doctor, Hatteras, and Altamont share a harmonious hunting trip, with the doctor's gentle approach to animals and the camaraderie among the group.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Clawbonny
Observes the halo, plants seeds, notes natural sorrel, advocates for kindness to animals, names the valley 'Northern Arcadia'.
- John Hatteras
Explores lands beyond Cape Washington, participates in the hunting trip, agrees to let the hares live.
- Altamont
Uses Indian hunting technique for reindeer, participates in the hunting trip, shows hunter's instincts but refrains from shooting.
- Bell
Works on building the launch with Johnson.
- Johnson
Works on building the launch; Johnson Island is named after him.
- Duke
Accompanies the hunters on the trip, fraternizes with the animals.
Key passages
“On May 29th, for the first time, the sun did not set; it merely touched the horizon and then rose at once; the day was twenty-four hours long.”
On May 29th, the sun remained above the horizon for the entire day, marking the start of the polar day.
Describes the beginning of continuous daylight in the Arctic summer.
“The doctor then resumed his planting; he had plenty of seed; besides, he was surprised to see a sort of sorrel growing naturally between the dried rocks, and he wondered at the force of nature which demanded so little in order to manifest itself.”
The doctor continued planting seeds and was amazed to find wild sorrel growing among the rocks, marveling at nature's resilience.
Highlights the doctor's scientific curiosity and the sparse but tenacious arctic flora.
“The whole day was passed in this Northern Arcadia, as the doctor named the valley, with the consent of his companions; and that evening, after a supper which had not cost the life of a single inhabitant of the country, the three hunters went to sleep in a cleft of a rock which was admirably adapted for a shelter.”
The day was spent in what the doctor called 'Northern Arcadia,' a valley where no animals were killed, and the hunters slept in a natural rock shelter.
Emphasizes the idyllic and peaceful nature of the valley, contrasting with the usual harshness of the Arctic.
