Character guide

Arthur Gordon Pym

major

Also known as Arthur Pym, Gordon, Arthur, Mr. Pym

The narrator and protagonist, a young adventurer from Nantucket.

Augustus Barnard

major

Also known as Augustus

Pym's close friend and son of Captain Barnard, who involves him in adventures.

Dirk Peters

major

Also known as Peters

A fierce and loyal half-breed sailor who becomes Pym's ally.

Tiger

supporting

Pym's loyal Newfoundland dog who aids him during the stowaway ordeal.

Richard Parker

supporting

Also known as Parker

A mutineer and later a desperate survivor on the wrecked Grampus.

Captain Guy

supporting

Commander of the Jane Guy, who leads the expedition to the Antarctic.

Wilson Allen

minor

Also known as Wilson, Allen, ⸻ Wilson, Wilson Allen

A sailor on the Grampus who joins the mutiny.

Too-wit

supporting

Also known as Too - wit

Chief of the native islanders encountered on Tsalal.

Nu-Nu

minor

Also known as Nu - Nu

A native captive who accompanies Pym and Peters on their final voyage.

Jane Guy

minor

Also known as XIV The Jane Guy, The Jane Guy, the Jane Guy, the Jane

The sealing ship that carries Pym to the Antarctic.

Henderson

minor

Also known as Mr. Henderson

First mate of the Jane Guy who leads a rescue party.

Captain Barnard

supporting

Augustus's father and captain of the Grampus, later marooned.

Captain Benjamin Morrell

minor

Also known as Captain Morrell

Historical explorer mentioned in the preface and notes.

Jones

minor

Also known as ⸻ Jones

A sailor on the Grampus who participates in the mutiny.

Captain Patten

minor

Captain of the ship that rescues Pym and Peters after the Grampus wreck.

Mr. Poe

minor

Editor of the Southern Literary Messenger who publishes Pym's narrative.

Hartman Rogers

minor

Also known as Rogers

A mutineer on the Grampus who is killed during the counter-mutiny.

Mr. Barnard

minor

Augustus's father, also referred to as Captain Barnard.

Grampus

minor

Also known as the Grampus, The Grampus

The ship on which Pym stows away and later mutinies occur.

Block

minor

Also known as Captain Block

Captain of the Penguin, who rescues Pym from the Ariel.

Ariel

minor

Also known as The Ariel, the Ariel

The small sailboat Pym and Augustus take on their first adventure.

Glass

minor

A sailor on the Jane Guy who is killed by natives on Tsalal.

Captain Cook

minor

Also known as Cook

Historical explorer referenced in the narrative's Antarctic passages.

Kreutzenstern

minor

Also known as Captains Kreutzenstern

Historical explorer mentioned in the notes on Antarctic geography.

Greely

minor

Also known as ⸻ Greely

A sailor on the Grampus who dies during the mutiny.

Captain James Weddell

minor

Also known as Weddel, Weddell, Captain James Weddel, Captain James Weddell

Historical explorer referenced in the Antarctic sections.