# VI explained — The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket

> Chapter companion for The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket by Edgar Allan Poe.

## What happens

Pym remains hidden in the hold of the Grampus, sustained by Augustus. Tiger recovers from his strange illness. The mate releases Augustus on parole, and Pym learns of the mutineers' plans through Dirk Peters, who shows unexpected kindness. A journal records the next eight days, including the loss of two men overboard and the shifting allegiances among the crew. Pym and Augustus consider enlisting Peters to help them retake the brig.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Moral Decay

Pym and Augustus struggle to survive in the hold while the mutineers descend into violence and drunkenness, with two men lost overboard.

### Deception and Unreliable Narration

Peters feigns intoxication to conceal his true intentions, and Pym and Augustus must constantly deceive the crew to remain hidden.

### Mutiny and Rebellion

The mutineers' internal conflicts are detailed, with shifting allegiances and violent quarrels, as Pym and Augustus plot to retake the brig.

## Character check-ins

### Arthur Gordon Pym

Remains hidden in the hold, sharing Augustus's provisions and observing the crew's movements.

### Augustus Barnard

Released by the mate on parole; obtains permission to move about the brig and supplies Pym with food and water.

### Dirk Peters

Shows kindness to Augustus, converses about Pacific exploration, and feigns drunkenness; Pym and Augustus consider recruiting him.

### Tiger

Recovers from his illness, drinks water eagerly, and is moved with Pym and Augustus to the hiding place near the bulkhead.

### Richard Parker

Listed among the mate's party during the journal entries.

## Key lines

> I could not sufficiently rejoice that I had persisted in bringing him with me from the box.

Pym is glad he insisted on bringing Tiger along from the box.

_Highlights Pym's attachment to Tiger and the dog's importance to his survival._

> The whole number of persons on board was now thirteen, to wit: Dirk Peters; Seymour, the black cook; ⸻ Jones; ⸻ Greely, Hartman Rogers, and William Allen, all of the cook’s party; the mate, whose name I never learned; Absalom Hicks; ⸻ Wilson; John Hunt; and Richard Parker, of the mate’s party—besides Augustus and myself.

Pym lists the thirteen people now on the Grampus, including the mutineers' factions.

_Provides a clear census of the crew after the mutiny and losses._

> A proper stowage cannot be accomplished in a careless manner, and many most disastrous accidents, even within the limits of my own experience, have arisen from neglect or ignorance in this particular.

Pym emphasizes that careless stowage leads to dangerous accidents at sea.

_Reflects Pym's digression on seamanship and the Grampus's poor stowage._

## Links

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