Travel Essays · Character

The Arethusa

A personified ship or boat featured in a narrative episode.

minor

Also known as the undaunted Arethusa

The Arethusa's tie to Mr. Commissary is one of the pressures that moves Travel Essays—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

One of the historic vessels that was sold along with the Cigarette after the barge project failed.

In the storyTo Sir Walter Grindlay Simpson, Bart.Open this moment free

The Arethusa first appears in 0000 an inland voyage.

With Mr. Commissary (professional): Mr. Commissary interacts frequently with The Arethusa, likely in an official or administrative capacity. With The Cigarette (friendship): The Arethusa and The Cigarette share a companionable relationship, possibly as fellow travelers or allies.

See The Arethusa in To Sir Walter Grindlay Simpson, Bart.Book page

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Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how The Arethusa sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Canal Journey Characters
Extended Cast of Travels and History
Scottish and French Figures

+5 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This passage marks the dramatic climax because it reverses the narrator’s initial expectation of confrontation…

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Relationships

Mr. Commissary
professional · ambivalent
The Cigarette
friendship · positive

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See The Arethusa in an inland voyage

In the story

The Arethusa appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

To Sir Walter Grindlay Simpson, Bart.
One of the historic vessels that was sold along with the Cigarette after the barge project failed.
Preface to the First Edition
Implied as the companion who accompanied the author on the travels described in the book.
Antwerp to Boom
Follows the Cigarette into the Scheldt.
On the Willebroek Canal
One of the two canoes used by the travelers, carrying provisions for lunch.
The Royal Sport Nautique
One of the two canoeists; he addresses the young boating lads and struggles to hide his ignorance of racing during conversation.
At Maubeuge
The narrator's companion, who is repeatedly singled out by officials and mistaken for a spy despite being a British subject.
At Landrecies
Also grows sleepy and returns to the hotel with the Cigarette.
Epilogue to An Inland Voyage
The lean, ill-dressed traveler who carries Charles of Orléans' works, is mistaken for a pornographic peddler and a beggar, and is arrested at Châtillon-sur-Loire.
Steerage Types
Referenced as the ship on which the steerage passengers travel.
San Francisco
Not directly mentioned; not included.

Chapter companion notes

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See The Arethusa in To Sir Walter Grindlay Simpson, Bart.