This commented bibliography asks for the origin of Edgar Allan Poe's idea of the hollow earth which he describes in his only novel: "Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym". It's subdivided in four parts: 1. Related material in Poe's own writing, 2. Poe's indebtedness to previous literature, 3. Poe's sources for the maritime occurrences, descriptions of islands, accounts of previous voyages of discovery in Arthur Gordon Pym, 4. Poe's sources for the events on Tsalal, especially the black-white antagonism, and for the South Pole cataract.
Table of Contents
I. Related material in Poe's own writing
II. Poe's indebtedness to previous literature
III. Poe's sources for the maritime occurrences, descriptions of islands, accounts of previous voyages of discovery in A.G.Pym
IV. Poe's sources for the events on Tsalal, especially the black-white antagonism, and for the South Pole cataract
Objectives and Research Focus
This academic bibliography aims to systematically identify and document the literary, historical, and scientific sources that influenced Edgar Allan Poe in the composition of his novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym. The research seeks to trace how Poe integrated various travelogues, geographical theories, and contemporary narratives into his fictional framework.
- Examination of Poe's earlier literary works as thematic precursors.
- Investigation of the influence of established authors and maritime literature on Poe's narrative style.
- Analysis of specific non-fiction accounts regarding polar exploration and island discoveries.
- Exploration of the cultural and socio-political inspirations behind the Tsalal episodes and the representation of race.
Excerpt from the Book
III. Poe's sources for the maritime occurrences, descriptions of islands, accounts of previous voyages of discovery in A.G.Pym
George E. Woodberry, in Poe's Works, ed. Stedman and Woodberry, Chicago, 1899, vol. V, pp. 355 -5 , demonstrates Poe's indebtedness to Captain Benjamin Morrell's A Narrative of Four Voyages, to the South Sea, North and South Pacific Ocean, Chinese Sea, Ethiopic and Southern Atlantic Ocean, Indian and Antarctic Ocean. From the Year 1822 to 1831. Comprising Critical Surveys of Coasts and Islands, with Sailing Directions. And an Account of Some New and Valuable Discoveries, including the Massacre Islands, Where Thirteen of the Author's Crew were Massacred and Eaten by Cannibals. To which is prefixed a Brief Sketch of the Author's Early Life, New York: J.&J.Harper, 1832. According to Woodberry, Poe takes from Merrell descriptions of the islands of Kerguelen, Tristan da Cunha, the Aurora Islands, and of the catching of bèche-de-mer.
Robert Lee Rhea "Some Observations on Poe's Origins", Texas Studies in English, 10 (1930), pp.135 - 46, shows that Poe uses in his narrative some 700 words out of J.N. Reynolds's Address on the Subject of a Surveying Exploring Expedition to the Pacific Ocean and the South Seas. Delivered in the Hall of Representatives on the Evening of April, 3, 1836. With Correspondence and Documents, New York: Harper und Brothers, 1837 (Poe had reviewed the address in the Southern Literary Messenger of January, 1837, where he speaks very highly of it: cf. Complete Works , Virginia edition, vol. IX, 306-314).
Summary of Chapters
I. Related material in Poe's own writing: This chapter highlights recurring motifs in Poe's earlier tales, such as whirlpools and polar voids, which foreshadow the narrative elements in Pym.
II. Poe's indebtedness to previous literature: This section details Poe's familiarity with classic literary works and Coleridge's poetry, establishing his broader intellectual background.
III. Poe's sources for the maritime occurrences, descriptions of islands, accounts of previous voyages of discovery in A.G.Pym: This chapter lists the various travelogues and expedition reports that provided the factual, maritime, and geographical basis for Pym's voyage.
IV. Poe's sources for the events on Tsalal, especially the black-white antagonism, and for the South Pole cataract: This final section examines the sources for the final, more allegorical segments of the novel, including theories of the hollow earth and racial dynamics.
Keywords
Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Gordon Pym, Literary sources, Maritime literature, Polar exploration, Hollow earth theory, J.N. Reynolds, Benjamin Morrell, Symzonia, Travelogue, Tsalal, Racial antagonism, Bibliography, 19th-century literature, Narrative influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this study?
The work serves as a bibliographic guide to identify the specific texts, authors, and theories that Edgar Allan Poe utilized as source material for his only complete novel.
Which fields of literature are central to this analysis?
The analysis focuses on maritime adventure literature, 19th-century exploration reports, utopian fiction, and contemporary travel narratives.
What is the main research question regarding Poe's writing process?
The study explores how Poe synthesized diverse, non-fiction accounts of maritime disasters and geographical theories into his fictional narrative.
What methodological approach does the author use?
The author employs a comparative bibliographic method, cross-referencing specific passages in Pym with contemporary travelogues and scientific accounts.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers Poe's earlier literary precursors, the influence of literary classics, specific maritime and polar voyage sources, and the inspiration behind the enigmatic Tsalal episodes.
Which keywords best characterize this bibliography?
Keywords include Poe, source study, maritime fiction, polar geography, and historical influence.
How did Poe's review of J.N. Reynolds's address influence the novel?
Poe drew extensively from Reynolds's address, incorporating approximately 700 words into his own narrative regarding South Sea discoveries and specific maritime terminology.
What is the significance of "Symzonia" in this context?
J.O. Bailey argues that the Utopian novel "Symzonia" served as a primary structural source for Pym, particularly regarding the concept of the hollow earth and internal civilizations.
How does the author explain the black-white antagonism in the Tsalal episodes?
The author references interpretations by scholars like Sidney Kaplan and Mozelle Scaff Allen, who attribute these themes to Poe's personal racial dread or influences from Voltaire.
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- Reiner Ruft (Autor:in), 1973, Poe's Sources for his Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym. A commented Bibliography, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/511394
