The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket · Chapters

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Chapter 1
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket
Arthur Gordon Pym recounts his early life and adventures, beginning with a near-fatal night voyage on the Ariel with his friend Augustus Barnard, followed by his secret stowaway on the Grampus, the brutal mutiny aboard the ship, and his eventual rescue by the Jane Guy. The narrative details survival at sea, including cannibalism, and culminates in a mysterious journey to the Antarctic where Pym encounters strange phenomena and a shrouded human figure.
Chapter 2
Chapter I
Arthur Gordon Pym recounts his early friendship with Augustus Barnard and their reckless nighttime voyage on the Ariel. Augustus, heavily intoxicated, loses control of the boat during a storm, leading to a collision with the whaling ship Penguin. Pym and Augustus are rescued after a harrowing ordeal, and they later conceal the true nature of the accident from their families.
Chapter 3
II
Pym's passion for the sea is rekindled after the Ariel disaster, and he conspires with Augustus to stow away on the Grampus. He endures a harrowing confinement in the hold, suffering from thirst, illness, and terrifying dreams, before attempting to escape.
Chapter 4
III
Pym, trapped in the hold of the Grampus, discovers a note from Augustus but struggles to read it due to lack of light. After a failed attempt with phosphorus, he finds the note torn and, with Tiger's help, retrieves the pieces. He finally reads a fragmentary warning: 'blood—your life depends upon lying close.' Despairing and suffering from thirst, fever, and the dog's strange behavior, Pym abandons plans to escape or call for help.
Chapter 5
IV
Augustus recounts the events following his last visit to Pym in the hold. He was unable to return for several days due to the bustle on board. When he finally descended, he found Pym in a deep, prolonged sleep caused by the fumes of old fish-oil. Before he could wake him, a mutiny erupted on deck. Augustus witnessed the first mate and seven crew members, including the cook, attack and bind Captain Barnard. The mutineers then systematically executed twenty-two loyal crew members by axing them and throwing them overboard. The remaining four prisoners and Augustus were spared due to a drunken dispute among the mutineers, during which the half-Indian Dirk Peters opposed the cook's bloodlust. The captives were set adrift in a small boat without provisions or navigation. Augustus was later discovered trying to reach Pym and was put in irons, but his attempt ultimately led to Pym's eventual rescue.

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The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket

Chapter I

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