1.

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 October 7, 1849) wa an A!er"can #oet, $ort%
tory wr"ter, ed"tor and l"terary cr"t"c, and " con"dered #art o& t$e A!er"can 'o!ant"c
(o)e!ent. *et +nown &or $" tale o& !ytery and t$e !acabre, Poe wa one o& t$e earl"et
A!er"can #ract"t"oner o& t$e $ort tory and " con"dered t$e "n)entor o& t$e detect")e%&"ct"on
genre. ,e " &urt$er cred"ted w"t$ contr"but"ng to t$e e!erg"ng genre o& c"ence &"ct"on. ,e wa
t$e &"rt well%+nown A!er"can wr"ter to try to earn a l")"ng t$roug$ wr"t"ng alone, reult"ng "n a
&"nanc"ally d"&&"cult l"&e and career.
*orn a Edgar Poe "n *oton, (aac$uett, Poe- #arent d"ed w$en $e wa young. Poe
wa ta+en "n by Jo$n and .rance Allan, o& '"c$!ond, /"rg"n"a, but t$ey ne)er &or!ally ado#ted
$"!. A&ter #end"ng a $ort #er"od at t$e 0n")er"ty o& /"rg"n"a and br"e&ly atte!#t"ng a !"l"tary
career, Poe and t$e Allan #arted way. Poe- #ubl"$"ng career began $u!bly, w"t$ an
anony!ou collect"on o& #oe!, Tamerlane and Other Poems (1817), cred"ted only to 2a
*oton"an2.
Poe w"tc$ed $" &ocu to #roe and #ent t$e ne3t e)eral year wor+"ng &or l"terary
4ournal and #er"od"cal, beco!"ng +nown &or $" own tyle o& l"terary cr"t"c"!. ," wor+ &orced
$"! to !o)e between e)eral c"t"e, "nclud"ng *alt"!ore, P$"ladel#$"a, Pennyl)an"a and 5ew
6or+ 7"ty. 8n *alt"!ore "n 189:, $e !arr"ed /"rg"n"a 7le!!, $" 19%year%old cou"n. 8n January
184:, Poe #ubl"$ed $" #oe! 2;$e 'a)en2 to "ntant ucce. ," w"&e d"ed o& tuberculo" two
year later. ,e began #lann"ng to #roduce $" own 4ournal, The Penn (later rena!ed The Stylus),
t$oug$ $e d"ed be&ore "t could be #roduced. On October 7, 1849, at age 40, Poe d"ed "n
*alt"!ore< t$e caue o& $" deat$ " un+nown and $a been attr"buted to alco$ol, bra"n
conget"on, c$olera, drug, $eart d"eae, rab"e, u"c"de, tuberculo", and ot$er agent.
Poe and $" wor+ "n&luenced l"terature "n t$e 0n"ted =tate and around t$e world, a well
a "n #ec"al">ed &"eld, uc$ a co!ology and cry#togra#$y. Poe and $" wor+ a##ear
t$roug$out #o#ular culture "n l"terature, !u"c, &"l!, and tele)""on. A nu!ber o& $" $o!e are
ded"cated !ueu! today.
Genres
Poe- bet +nown &"ct"on wor+ are ?ot$"c, a genre $e &ollowed to a##eae t$e #ubl"c
tate.
@7AB
," !ot recurr"ng t$e!e deal w"t$ Cuet"on o& deat$, "nclud"ng "t #$y"cal "gn, t$e
e&&ect o& deco!#o"t"on, concern o& #re!ature bur"al, t$e rean"!at"on o& t$e dead, and
!ourn"ng. (any o& $" wor+ are generally con"dered #art o& t$e dar+ ro!ant"c"! genre, a
l"terary react"on to trancendental"! w$"c$ Poe trongly d"l"+ed. ,e re&erred to &ollower o& t$e
!o)e!ent a 2.rog#ond"an2 a&ter t$e #ond on *oton 7o!!on. and r"d"culed t$e"r wr"t"ng a
2!eta#$or%run2, la#"ng "nto 2obcur"ty &or obcur"ty- a+e2 or 2!yt"c"! &or !yt"c"!-
a+e.2 Poe once wrote "n a letter to ;$o!a ,olley 7$")er t$at $e d"d not d"l"+e
;rancendental"t, 2only t$e #retender and o#$"t a!ong t$e!.2
*eyond $orror, Poe alo wrote at"re, $u!or tale, and $oa3e. .or co!"c e&&ect, $e ued
"rony and lud"crou e3tra)agance, o&ten "n an atte!#t to l"berate t$e reader &ro! cultural
con&or!"ty. 8n &act, 2(et>engerte"n2, t$e &"rt tory t$at Poe " +nown to $a)e #ubl"$ed, and $"
&"rt &oray "nto $orror, wa or"g"nally "ntended a a burleCue at"r">"ng t$e #o#ular genre. Poe
alo re"n)ented c"ence &"ct"on, re#ond"ng "n $" wr"t"ng to e!erg"ng tec$nolog"e uc$ a $ot a"r
balloon "n 2;$e *alloon%,oa32.
@
Poe wrote !uc$ o& $" wor+ u"ng t$e!e #ec"&"cally catered &or !a !ar+et tate. ;o
t$at end, $" &"ct"on o&ten "ncluded ele!ent o& #o#ular #eudoc"ence uc$ a #$renology and
#$y"ogno!y.
Literary theory
Poe- wr"t"ng re&lect $" l"terary t$eor"e, w$"c$ $e #reented "n $" cr"t"c"! and alo "n
eay uc$ a 2;$e Poet"c Pr"nc"#le2. ,e d"l"+ed d"dact"c"! and allegory t$oug$ $e bel"e)ed
1
t$at !ean"ng "n l"terature $ould be an undercurrent 4ut beneat$ t$e ur&ace. Dor+ w"t$ ob)"ou
!ean"ng, $e wrote, ceae to be art. ,e bel"e)ed t$at Cual"ty wor+ $ould be br"e& and &ocu on a
#ec"&"c "ngle e&&ect. ;o t$at end, $e bel"e)ed t$at t$e wr"ter $ould care&ully calculate e)ery
ent"!ent and "dea. 8n 2;$e P$"loo#$y o& 7o!#o"t"on2, an eay "n w$"c$ Poe decr"be $"
!et$od "n wr"t"ng 2;$e 'a)en2, $e cla"! to $a)e tr"ctly &ollowed t$" !et$od. 8t $a been
Cuet"oned, $owe)er, "& $e really &ollowed t$" yte!. ;. =. El"ot a"dE 28t " d"&&"cult &or u to
read t$at eay w"t$out re&lect"ng t$at "& Poe #lotted out $" #oe! w"t$ uc$ calculat"on, $e !"g$t
$a)e ta+en a l"ttle !ore #a"n o)er "tE t$e reult $ardly doe cred"t to t$e !et$od.2 *"ogra#$er
Joe#$ Dood Frutc$ decr"bed t$e eay a 2a rat$er $"g$ly "ngen"ou e3erc"e "n t$e art o&
rat"onal">at"on2.
Literary influence
Gur"ng $" l"&et"!e, Poe wa !otly recogn">ed a a l"terary cr"t"c. .ellow cr"t"c Ja!e
'uell Howell called $"! 2t$e !ot d"cr"!"nat"ng, #$"loo#$"cal, and &earle cr"t"c u#on
"!ag"nat")e wor+ w$o $a wr"tten "n A!er"ca2, t$oug$ $e Cuet"oned "& $e occa"onally ued
#ru"c ac"d "ntead o& "n+. Poe wa alo +nown a a wr"ter o& &"ct"on and beca!e one o& t$e &"rt
A!er"can aut$or o& t$e 19t$ century to beco!e !ore #o#ular "n Euro#e t$an "n t$e 0n"ted
=tate. Poe " #art"cularly re#ected "n .rance, "n #art due to early tranlat"on by 7$arle
*audela"re. *audela"re- tranlat"on Cu"c+ly beca!e de&"n"t")e rend"t"on o& Poe- wor+
t$roug$out Euro#e.
Poe- early detect")e &"ct"on tale tarr"ng t$e &"ct"t"ou 7. Augute Gu#"n la"d t$e
groundwor+ &or &uture detect")e "n l"terature. ="r Art$ur 7onan Goyle a"d, 2Eac$ @o& Poe-
detect")e tor"eB " a root &ro! w$"c$ a w$ole l"terature $a de)elo#ed.... D$ere wa t$e
detect")e tory unt"l Poe breat$ed t$e breat$ o& l"&e "nto "tI2 ;$e (ytery Dr"ter o& A!er"ca
$a)e na!ed t$e"r award &or e3cellence "n t$e genre t$e 2Edgar2. Poe- wor+ alo "n&luenced
c"ence &"ct"on, notably Jule /erne, w$o wrote a eCuel to Poe- no)el The Narrative of Arthur
Gordon Pym of Nantucket called The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym, Le sphinx des glaces.
=c"ence &"ct"on aut$or ,. ?. Dell noted, 2Pym tell w$at a )ery "ntell"gent !"nd could "!ag"ne
about t$e out$ #olar reg"on a century ago.2
H"+e !any &a!ou art"t, Poe- wor+ $a)e #awned "nnu!erable "!"tator. One
"nteret"ng trend a!ong "!"tator o& Poe, $owe)er, $a been cla"! by cla"r)oyant or #yc$"c to
be 2c$annel"ng2 #oe! &ro! Poe- #"r"t beyond t$e gra)e. One o& t$e !ot notable o& t$ee wa
H">>"e Goten, w$o "n 18A9 #ubl"$ed Poems from the nner Life, "n w$"c$ $e cla"!ed to $a)e
2rece")ed2 new co!#o"t"on by Poe- #"r"t. ;$e co!#o"t"on were re%wor+"ng o& &a!ou Poe
#oe! uc$ a 2;$e *ell2, but w$"c$ re&lected a new, #o"t")e outloo+.
E)en o, Poe $a not rece")ed only #ra"e. D"ll"a! *utler 6eat wa generally cr"t"cal o&
Poe, call"ng $"! 2)ulgar2. ;rancendental"t 'al#$ Daldo E!eron reacted to 2;$e 'a)en2 by
ay"ng, 28 ee not$"ng "n "t2 and der"")ely re&erred to Poe a 2t$e 4"ngle !an2. Aldou ,u3ley
wrote t$at Poe- wr"t"ng 2&all "nto )ulgar"ty2 by be"ng 2too #oet"cal2 % t$e eCu")alent o& wear"ng
a d"a!ond r"ng on e)ery &"nger.
2The Tell-Tale Heart2 " a $ort tory by Edgar Allan Poe &"rt #ubl"$ed "n 1849. 8t
&ollow an unna!ed narrator w$o "n"t on $" an"ty a&ter !urder"ng an old !an w"t$ a 2)ulture
eye2. ;$e !urder " care&ully calculated, and t$e !urderer $"de t$e body by cutt"ng "t "nto
#"ece and $"d"ng "t under t$e &loorboard. 0lt"!ately t$e narrator- gu"lt !an"&et "tel& "n t$e
$alluc"nat"on t$at t$e !an- $eart " t"ll beat"ng under t$e &loorboard.
8t " unclear w$at relat"on$"#, "& any, t$e old !an and $" !urderer $are. 8t $a been
uggeted t$at t$e old !an " a &at$er &"gure or, #er$a#, t$at $" )ulture eye re#reent o!e ort
o& )e"led ecret. ;$e a!b"gu"ty and lac+ o& deta"l about t$e two !a"n c$aracter tand "n tar+
contrat to t$e #ec"&"c #lot deta"l lead"ng u# to t$e !urder.
2
2;$e ;ell%;ale ,eart2 " a &"rt%#eron narrat")e o& an unna!ed narrator w$o "n"t $e "
ane but u&&er"ng &ro! a d"eae w$"c$ caue 2o)er%acutene o& t$e ene.2 ;$e old !an w"t$
w$o! $e l")e $a a clouded, #ale, blue 2)ulture%l"+e2 eye w$"c$ o d"tree t$e narrator t$at
$e #lot to !urder t$e old !an. ;$e narrator "n"t t$at $" care&ul #rec""on "n co!!"tt"ng t$e
!urder $ow t$at $e cannot #o"bly be "nane. .or e)en n"g$t, t$e narrator o#en t$e door o&
t$e old !an- roo!, a #roce w$"c$ ta+e $"! a &ull $our. ,owe)er, t$e old !an- )ulture eye "
alway cloed, !a+"ng "t "!#o"ble to do t$e deed.
On t$e e"g$t$ n"g$t, t$e old !an awa+en and "t u# "n $" bed w$"le t$e narrator
#er&or! $" n"g$tly r"tual. ;$e narrator doe not draw bac+ and, a&ter o!e t"!e, dec"de to
o#en $" lantern. A "ngle ray o& l"g$t $"ne out and land #rec"ely on t$e old !an- eye,
re)eal"ng t$at "t " w"de o#en. ;$"n+"ng $e $ear t$e old !an- $eartbeat beat"ng unuually
loudly &ro! terror, t$e narrator dec"de to tr"+e, !ot$er"ng t$e old !an w"t$ $" own bed. ;$e
narrator #roceed to c$o# u# t$e body and conceal t$e #"ece under t$e &loorboard. ;$e
narrator !a+e certa"n to $"de all "gn o& t$e cr"!e. E)en o, t$e old !an- crea! dur"ng t$e
n"g$t caue a ne"g$bor to call t$e #ol"ce. ;$e narrator "n)"te t$e t$ree o&&"cer to loo+ around,
con&"dent t$at t$ey w"ll not &"nd any e)"dence o& t$e !urder. ;$e narrator br"ng c$a"r &or t$e!
and t$ey "t "n t$e old !an- roo!, r"g$t on t$e )ery #ot w$ere t$e body wa concealed, yet
t$ey u#ect not$"ng, a t$e narrator $a a #leaant and eay !anner about $"!.
;$e narrator, $owe)er, beg"n to $ear a &a"nt no"e. A t$e no"e grow louder, t$e
narrator co!e to t$e conclu"on t$at "t " t$e $eartbeat o& t$e old !an co!"ng &ro! under t$e
&loorboard. ;$e ound "ncreae, t$oug$ t$e o&&"cer ee! to #ay no attent"on to "t. =$oc+ed by
t$e contant beat"ng o& t$e $eart and a &eel"ng t$at t$e o&&"cer !ut be aware o& t$e ound, t$e
narrator con&ee to +"ll"ng t$e old !an and tell t$e! to tear u# t$e &loorboard to re)eal t$e
body
Analy"
2;$e ;ell%;ale ,eart2 tart in medias res, "n t$e !"ddle o& an e)ent. ;$e o#en"ng " an
"n%#rogre con)erat"on between t$e narrator and anot$er #eron w$o " not "dent"&"ed "n any
way. 8t " #eculated t$at t$e narrator " con&e"ng to a #r"on warden, 4udge, new#a#er re#orter,
doctor or #yc$"atr"t ;$" #ar+ t$e narrator- need to e3#la"n $"!el& "n great deta"l. D$at
&ollow " a tudy o& terror but, !ore #ec"&"cally, t$e !e!ory o& terror a t$e narrator " relat"ng
e)ent &ro! t$e #at. ;$e &"rt word o& t$e tory, 2;rueJ2, " an ad!""on o& $" gu"lt. ;$"
"ntroduct"on alo er)e to "!!ed"ately grab t$e reader- attent"on and #ull $"! "nto t$e tory.
.ro! t$ere, e)ery word contr"bute to t$e #ur#oe o& !o)"ng t$e tory &orward, #o"bly !a+"ng
2;$e ;ell%;ale ,eart2 t$e bet e3a!#le o& Poe- t$eor"e on a #er&ect $ort tory.
;$e tory " dr")en not by t$e narrator- "n"tence u#on $" innocence but by
"n"tence on $" sanity. ;$", $owe)er, " el&%detruct")e becaue "n atte!#t"ng to #ro)e $"
an"ty $e &ully ad!"t $e " gu"lty o& !urder. ," den"al o& "nan"ty " baed on $" yte!"c
act"on and #rec""onKa rat"onal e3#lanat"on &or "rrat"onal be$a)"or. ;$" rat"onal"ty, $owe)er, "
under!"ned by $" lac+ o& !ot")at"on (2Ob4ect t$ere wa none. Pa"on t$ere wa none.2).
Ge#"te t$", $e ay t$e "dea o& !urder, 2$aunted !e day and n"g$t.2 ;$e tory- &"nal cene,
$owe)er, " a reult o& t$e narrator- &eel"ng o& gu"lt. H"+e !any c$aracter "n t$e ?ot$"c
trad"t"on, $" ner)e d"ctate $" true nature. Ge#"te $" bet e&&ort at de&end"ng $"!el&, t$e
narrator- 2o)er acutene o& t$e ene,2 w$"c$ $el# $"! $ear t$e $eart beat"ng "n t$e
&loorboard, " actually e)"dence t$at $e " truly !ad. 'eader dur"ng Poe- t"!e would $a)e been
e#ec"ally "ntereted a!"dt t$e contro)ery o)er t$e "nan"ty de&ene "n t$e 1840.
;$e narrator cla"! to $a)e a d"eae w$"c$ caue $y#eren"t")"ty "n $" ene. A
"!"lar !ot"& " ued &or 'oder"c+ 0$er "n 2;$e .all o& t$e ,oue o& 0$er2 (1899) and "n 2;$e
7olloCuy o& (ono and 0na2 (1841).
@9B
8t " unclear, $owe)er, "& t$e narrator actually $a )ery
acute ene or "& $e " !erely "!ag"n"ng t$"ng. 8& $" cond"t"on " bel"e)ed to be true, w$at $e
3
$ear at t$e end o& t$e tory !ay not be t$e old !an- $eart but deat$ watc$ beetle. ;$e narrator
&"rt ad!"t to $ear"ng deat$ watc$e "n t$e wall a&ter tartl"ng t$e old !an &ro! $" lee#.
Accord"ng to u#ert"t"on, deat$ watc$e are a "gn o& "!#end"ng deat$. One )ar"ety o& deat$
watc$ beetle ra# "t $ead aga"nt ur&ace, #reu!ably a #art o& a !at"ng r"tual, w$"le ot$er
e!"t a t"c+"ng ound. ,enry Ga)"d ;$oreau $ad uggeted "n 1898 t$at t$e deat$ watc$ beetle
ound "!"lar to a $eartbeat. Alternat")ely, "& t$e $eart beat"ng " really a #roduct o& t$e narrator-
"!ag"nat"on, "t " t$at uncontrolled "!ag"nat"on t$at lead to $" own detruct"on.
;$e relat"on$"# between t$e old !an and t$e narrator " a!b"guou, a " t$e"r na!e,
t$e"r occu#at"on, or w$ere t$ey l")e. 8n &act, t$at a!b"gu"ty add to t$e tale a an "ron"c counter
to t$e tr"ct attent"on to deta"l "n t$e #lot. ;$e narrator !ay be a er)ant o& t$e old !an- or, a "
!ore o&ten au!ed, $" on. 8n t$at cae, t$e 2)ulture2 eye o& t$e old !an " y!bol">"ng
#arental ur)e"llance and #o"bly t$e #aternal #r"nc"#le o& r"g$t and wrong. ;$e !urder o& t$e
eye, t$en, " a re!o)al o& conc"ence. ;$e eye !ay alo re#reent ecrecy, aga"n #lay"ng on t$e
a!b"guou lac+ o& deta"l about t$e !an or t$e narrator. Only w$en t$e eye " &"nally &ound o#en
on t$e &"nal n"g$t, #enetrat"ng t$e )e"l o& ecrecy, t$at t$e !urder " carr"ed out. 'egardle, t$e"r
relat"on$"# " "nc"dental< t$e &ocu o& t$e tory " t$e #er)ere c$e!e to co!!"t t$e #er&ect
cr"!e.
.or!er 0n"ted =tate Poet Haureate '"c$ard D"lbur $a uggeted t$at t$e tale " an
allegor"cal re#reentat"on o& Poe- #oe! 2;o =c"ence.2 ;$e #oe! $ow t$e truggle between
"!ag"nat"on and c"ence. 8n 2;$e ;ell%;ale ,eart,2 t$e old !an re#reent t$e c"ent"&"c rat"onal
!"nd w$"le t$e narrator " t$e "!ag"nat")e.
The Fall of the House of Usher
Po)et"rea Lnce#e cu o"rea unu" narator nenu!"t la caa #r"etenulu" Mu d"n co#"lMr"e,
'oder"c+ 0$er, de la care #r"!"e o cr"oare Lntr%o #arte Lnde#MrtatM a Mr"" " Ln care aceta e
#lNngea de o boalM " L" cerea a4utorul. Ge " Poe a cr" aceatM #o)et"re Lna"nte de "n)entarea
t""n e" #"$olog"ce !oderne, "!#to!ele lu" 'oder"c+ #ot &" decr"e #otr")"t ter!"nolog"e" e".
Acetea "nclud o &or!M de u#raLncMrcare en>or"alM cunocutM ub nu!ele de $"#erete>"e
($"#eren"b"l"tate la lu!"nM, unete, !"rour" " gutur"), "#o$ondr"e (o #reocu#are e3ce")M au
o gr"4M cu #r")"re la #re>en a une" bol" gra)e) " an3"etate acutM. Ete de>)Mlu"t &a#tul cM ora
gea!MnM a lu" 'oder"c+, (adel"ne, ete " ea bolna)M " cade Ln trane catale#t"ce ae!MnMtoare
cu !oartea. 5aratorul ete "!#re"onat de #"ctur"le lu" 'oder"c+ " LncearcM M%l Ln)eeleacM
c"t"nd L!#reunM cu el " acultNndu%" co!#o>" ""le !u>"cale "!#ro)">ate la c$"tarM. 'oder"c+
cNntM 2Palatul bNntu"t2, a#o" L" #une naratorulu" cM el crede &a#tul cM locu"n a Ln care trM"e te ete
"! "toare, " cM acete "! ur" #ro)"n d"n co!b"na "a de >"dMr"e " de )egeta "e care o Lncon4oarM.
'oder"c+ Ll "n&or!ea>M !a" tNr>"u #e narator cM ora lu" a !ur"t " "n"tM ca ea M &"e
Ln!or!NntatM t"!# de douM M#tM!Nn" Lntr%o cr"#tM (!or!Nnt de &a!"l"e) Ln caM Lna"nte de a &"
Lngro#atM de&"n"t"). 5aratorul Ll a4utM #e 'oder"c+ M #unM tru#ul Ln !or!Nnt " ober)M cM
(adel"ne are obra4"" ro>, a a cu! au unele #eroane du#M !oarte. E" o Lnc$"d acolo, dar Ln
M#tM!Nna ur!Mtoare 'oder"c+ " naratorul "!t o tare de ag"ta "e Ln cre tere &MrM n"c" un !ot")
a#arent. Ontr%o noa#te Lnce#e o &urtunM. 'oder"c+ )"ne Ln dor!"tor naratorulu", care ete "tuat
c$"ar deau#ra cr"#te", " dec$"de &ereatra cMtre &urtunM. El ober)M cM $ele teul d"n 4urul cae"
#are M trMluceacM Ln Lntuner"c, a a cu! era re#re>entat Ln #"ctur"le lu" 'oder"c+ 0$er, de " nu
e3"tM n"c"un &ulger.
5aratorul LncearcM M%l cal!e>e #e 'oder"c+ c"t"ndu%" cu )oce tare The !ad Trist, un
ro!an de#re un ca)aler #e nu!e Et$elred care #arge u a c$"l"e" unu" #utn"c, Lntr%o Lncercare
de a cM#a de &urtuna care e a#ro#"e, doar #entru a gM" un #alat de aur #M>"t de un dragon. El
gMe te, de ae!enea, agM at #e #erete un cut trMluc"tor de ara!M #e care ete cr"M o legendME
4
cM cel care uc"de balaurul cNt"gM cutul. 7u o lo)"turM de bu>dugan, Et$elred uc"de balaurul, care
!oare cu un tr"gMt acu "t, " e duce M "a cutul, care cade #e #odea cu un >go!ot Lngro>"tor.
Pe !MurM ce naratorul c"te te de#re "ntrarea cu &or a a ca)alerulu" Ln c$"l"e, e aud
unete de crM#Mtur" " #arger" unde)a Ln caM. Atunc" cNnd dragonul ete decr" ca urlNnd #e
!oarte, e aude d"n nou un unet a#ru " #relung Ln caM. 7Nnd el e re&erM la cutul care cade de
#e #erete, o re)erbera "e !etal"cM " goalM #oate &" au>"tM. 'oder"c+ de)"ne tot !a" "ter"c "
e3cla!M Ln cele d"n ur!M cM acete unete unt &Mcute de ora lu", care era, de &a#t, Ln )"a M,
atunc" cNnd a &ot Lngro#atM " cM 'oder"c+ t"a cM ea era Ln )"a M. 0 a dor!"torulu" ete a#o"
u&latM ca de un )Nnt #entru a )edea cM Ln #atele e" e a&la (adel"ne. Ea e #rMbu e te greo"
#ete &ratele e" " a!Nndo" cad !or " #e #odea. 5aratorul &uge a#o" d"n caM ", #e !MurM ce &ace
acet lucru, ober)M un &ulger de lu!"nM &McNndu%l M e u"te Lna#o" la 7aa 0$er, la t"!# #entru
a )edea cu! ea e ru#e Ln douM, &rag!entele cu&undNndu%e Ln $ele teu .
The Fall of the House of Usher2 " a $ort tory wr"tten by Edgar Allan Poe. ;$e tory
wa &"rt #ubl"$ed "n "urton#s Gentleman#s !aga$ine "n =e#te!ber 1899.
;$e tale o#en w"t$ t$e unna!ed narrator arr")"ng at t$e $oue o& $" &r"end, 'oder"c+
0$er, $a)"ng rece")ed a letter &ro! $"! "n a d"tant #art o& t$e country co!#la"n"ng o& an "llne
and a+"ng &or $" co!&ort. Alt$oug$ Poe wrote t$" $ort tory be&ore t$e "n)ent"on o& !odern
#yc$olog"cal c"ence, 0$er- y!#to! can be decr"bed accord"ng to "t ter!"nology. ;$ey
"nclude $y#eret$e"a (e3tre!e $y#eren"t")"ty to l"g$t, ound, !ell, and tate),
$y#oc$ondr"a, and acute an3"ety. 8t " re)ealed t$at 0$er- tw"n "ter, (adel"ne, " alo "ll,
u&&er"ng &ro! catale#y. ;$e narrator " "!#reed w"t$ 0$er- #a"nt"ng, and atte!#t to c$eer
$"! by read"ng w"t$ $"! and l"ten"ng to $" "!#ro)"ed !u"cal co!#o"t"on on t$e gu"tar.
0$er "ng 2;$e ,aunted Palace2, t$en tell t$e narrator t$at $e bel"e)e t$e $oue $e l")e "n to
be ent"ent, and t$at t$" ent"ence ar"e &ro! t$e arrange!ent o& t$e !aonry and )egetat"on
urround"ng "t.
0$er later "n&or! t$e narrator t$at $" "ter $a d"ed and "n"t t$at $e be ento!bed
&or two wee+ "n a )ault "n t$e $oue be&ore be"ng #er!anently bur"ed. ;$ey "nter $er, but o)er
t$e ne3t wee+ bot$ 0$er and t$e narrator &"nd t$e!el)e beco!"ng "ncrea"ngly ag"tated &or no
a##arent reaon. A tor! beg"n. 0$er co!e to t$e narrator- bedroo!, w$"c$ " "tuated
d"rectly abo)e t$e )ault, and t$row o#en $" w"ndow to t$e tor!. ,e not"ce t$at t$e bog
urround"ng t$e $oue ee! to glow "n t$e dar+, a "t glowed "n 'oder"c+ 0$er- #a"nt"ng,
alt$oug$ t$ere " no l"g$tn"ng.
;$e narrator atte!#t to cal! 0$er by read"ng aloud The !ad Trist, a no)el "n)ol)"ng a
+n"g$t na!ed Et$elred w$o brea+ "nto a $er!"t- dwell"ng "n an atte!#t to eca#e an
a##roac$"ng tor!, only to &"nd a #alace o& gold guarded by a dragon. ,e alo &"nd $ang"ng on
t$e wall a $"eld o& $"n"ng bra o& w$"c$ " wr"tten a legendE t$at t$e one w$o lay t$e dragon
w"n t$e $"eld. D"t$ a tro+e o& $" !ace, Et$elred &ell t$e dragon, w$o d"e w"t$ a #"erc"ng
$r"e+, and #roceed to ta+e t$e $"eld, w$"c$ &all to t$e &loor w"t$ an unner)"ng clatter.
A t$e narrator read o& t$e +n"g$t- &orc"ble entry "nto t$e dwell"ng, crac+"ng and r"##"ng
ound are $eard o!ew$ere "n t$e $oue. D$en t$e dragon " decr"bed a $r"e+"ng a "t d"e, a
$r"e+ " $eard, aga"n w"t$"n t$e $oue. A $e relate t$e $"eld &all"ng &ro! o&& t$e wall, a
re)erberat"on, !etall"c and $ollow, can be $eard. 0$er beco!e "ncrea"ngly $yter"cal, and
e)entually e3cla"! t$at t$ee ound are be"ng !ade by $" "ter, w$o wa "n &act al")e w$en
$e wa ento!bed and t$at 0$er +new t$at $e wa al")e. ;$e bedroo! door " t$en blown o#en
to re)eal (adel"ne tand"ng t$ere. =$e &all )"olently "n deat$ u#on $er brot$er, w$o d"e o& $"
own terror. ;$e narrator t$en &lee t$e $oue, and, a $e doe o, not"ce a &la$ o& l"g$t cau"ng
$"! to loo+ bac+ u#on t$e ,oue o& 0$er, "n t"!e to watc$ "t brea+ "n two, t$e &rag!ent
"n+"ng "nto t$e tarn.
5
2;$e .all o& t$e ,oue o& 0$er2 " con"dered t$e bet e3a!#le o& Poe- 2total"ty2, w$ere
e)ery ele!ent and deta"l " related and rele)ant.
The theme of the crumbling, $aunted catle " a +ey &eature o& ,orace Dal#ole- %astle
of Otranto, a late 18t$ 7entury no)el w$"c$ largely contr"buted "n de&"n"ng t$e ?ot$"c genre. *ut
Poe- )er"on o& ?ot$"c l"terature " a b"aed one becaue "t " &unda!entally $y#erbol"c %% $orror
" $ere o "ntene t$at "t )erge on t$e groteCue. 'o!ant"c"! " re#reented "n t$e a!e way,
&or t$e c$aracter o& 0$er br"ng t$e tereoty#e o& t$e 'o!ant"c #oet to "t e3tre!e. 0$er
cloely ree!ble t$e beda>>led, !elanc$oly gen"u w$o " $aunted by deat$ and !adne.
,owe)er, $e "n#"re awe a well a re#ul"on, ow"ng to $" cor#e%l"+e a##earance. ,e " e)en,
to a certa"n e3tent, a co!"c c$aracter. 8ndeed, $e " bot$ a ubl"!e !u"c"an and wr"ter a well a
a $o#ele drug add"ct. ,e " ee!"ngly "n lo)e w"t$ $" own "ter, w$o! $e "rre#on"bly bur"e
e)en t$oug$ $e +now $e " catale#t"c.
2;$e .all o& t$e ,oue o& 0$er2 $ow Poe- ab"l"ty to create an e!ot"onal tone "n $"
wor+, #ec"&"cally &eel"ng o& &ear, doo!, and gu"lt. ;$ee e!ot"on center on 'oder"c+ 0$er
w$o, l"+e !any Poe c$aracter, u&&er &ro! an unna!ed d"eae. H"+e t$e narrator "n 2;$e ;ell%
;ale ,eart2, $" d"eae caue $" $y#eract")e ene. ;$e "llne !an"&et #$y"cally but "
baed "n 'oder"c+- !ental or e)en !oral tate. ,e " "c+, "t " uggeted, becaue $e expects to
be "c+ baed on $" &a!"ly- $"tory o& "llne and ", t$ere&ore, eent"ally a $y#oc$ondr"ac.
="!"larly, $e bur"e $" "ter al")e becaue $e expects to bury $er al")e, creat"ng $" own el&%
&ul&"ll"ng #ro#$ecy.
;$e ,oue o& 0$er, "tel& doubly re&err"ng bot$ to t$e actual tructure and t$e &a!"ly,
#lay a "gn"&"cant role "n t$e tory. 8t " t$e &"rt 2c$aracter2 t$at t$e narrator "ntroduce to t$e
reader, #reented w"t$ a $u!an">ed decr"#t"onE "t w"ndow are decr"bed a 2eye%l"+e2 tw"ce "n
t$e &"rt #aragra#$. ;$e &"ure t$at de)elo# "n "t "de " y!bol"c o& t$e decay o& t$e 0$er
&a!"ly and t$e $oue 2d"e2 along w"t$ t$e two 0$er "bl"ng. ;$" connect"on wa e!#$a">ed
"n 'oder"c+- #oe! 2;$e ,aunted Palace2 w$"c$ ee! to be a d"rect re&erence to t$e $oue t$at
&ore$adow doo!.
H. =#rague de 7a!#, "n $" Lovecraft& A "iography @#.14A&B, wrote t$at 2@aBccord"ng to
t$e late @Poe e3#ertB ;$o!a O. (abbott, @,. P.B Ho)ecra&t, "n -=u#ernatural ,orror,- ol)ed a
#roble! "n t$e "nter#retat"on o& Poe2 by argu"ng t$at 2'oder"c+ 0$er, $" "ter (adel"ne, and
t$e $oue all $ared one co!!on oul2. ;$e e3#l"c"t #yc$olog"cal d"!en"on o& t$" tale $a
#ro!#ted !any cr"t"c to analy>e "t a a decr"#t"on o& t$e $u!an #yc$e, co!#ar"ng, &or
"ntance, t$e ,oue to t$e unconc"ou, and "t central crac+ to t$e #eronal"ty #l"t w$"c$ "
called G"oc"at")e "dent"ty d"order. (ental d"order " alo e)o+ed t$roug$ t$e t$e!e o&
!elanc$oly, #o"ble "ncet and )a!#"r"!. An "ncetuou relat"on$"# between 'oder"c+ and
(adel"ne " not e3#l"c"tly tated, but ee! "!#l"ed by t$e trange attac$!ent between t$e two.
Major themes
;$e do##elgPnger t$e!e, #ro!"nent "n uc$ wor+ o& Poe a 2D"ll"a! D"lon2, a##ear
a well "n 2;$e .all o& t$e ,oue o& 0$er2. ;$e re&lect"on o& t$e $oue "n t$e tarn " decr"bed "n
t$e o#en"ng #aragra#$, and 2a tr"+"ng "!"l"tude between t$e brot$er and "ter2 " !ent"oned
w$en (adel"ne 2d"e2.
Poe ue t$e t$e!e o& t$e deat$ and reurrect"on o& a wo!an $ere a well a "n
2H"ge"a2 and 2(orella.2
;$e t$e!e o& !ental "llne " e3#lored "n t$" wor+, a "t " "n nu!erou ot$er
tale uc$ a 2*eren"ce2.
8nter!ent w$"le al")e " alo e3#lored "n 2;$e Pre!ature *ur"al2 and 2;$e 7a+
o& A!ont"llado2.
;$ere are alo )ar"ou ?ot$"c ele!ent, uc$ a t$e decre#"t catle and tarn,
w$oe "gn o& decay re&lect t$e !ental cond"t"on o& 0$er, w$"c$ " ra#"dly deter"orat"ng.
6
Allusions and references
;$e o#en"ng e#"gra#$ Cuote 2He 'e&u2 (1891) by t$e .renc$ ongwr"ter P"erre%
Jean de *Qranger (1780%18:7), tranlated to Engl"$ a 2$" $eart " a u#ended lute, a oon
a "t " touc$ed, "t reound2. *Qranger- or"g"nal te3t read 2!on c'ur2 (!y $eart) and not
2Son c'ur2 ($"R$er $eart).
;$e narrator decr"be 0$er- !u"cal co!#o"t"on a re!"nd"ng $"! o& 2t$e
w"ld a"r o& t$e lat walt> o& /on Deber2. Poe $ere re&er to a #o#ular #"ano wor+ o& $" t"!e
%% w$"c$, t$oug$ go"ng by t$e t"tle 2Deber- Hat Dalt>2 wa actually co!#oed by 7arl
?ottl"eb 'e""ger (179818:9).
@AB
A co#y o& t$e !u"c by 'e""ger wa &ound a!ong
Deber- #a#er u#on $" deat$ "n 181A and "t wa !"ta+enly attr"buted to Deber.
H"terary "gn"&"cance and cr"t"c"!
2;$e .all o& t$e ,oue o& 0$er2 " con"dered Poe- !ot &a!ou wor+.
@7B
;$" $"g$ly
unettl"ng !acabre wor+ " con"dered a t$e !ater#"ece o& Anglo%=a3on ?ot$"c l"terature.
8ndeed, a "n !any o& $" tale, Poe borrow !uc$ &ro! t$e ?ot$"c trad"t"on. =t"ll, a ?. '.
;$o!on wr"te "n $" 8ntroduct"on to Great Short (orks of )dgar Allan Poe@# 9AB, 2t$e tale $a
long been $a"led a a !ater#"ece o& ?ot$"c $orror< "t " alo a !ater#"ece o& dra!at"c "rony and
tructural y!bol"!.2
8n &act, 2;$e .all o& t$e ,oue o& 0$er2 $a been cr"t"c">ed &or be"ng too &or!ula"c. Poe
wa cr"t"c">ed &or &ollow"ng $" own #attern etabl"$ed "n wor+ l"+e 2(orella2 and 2H"ge"a2
u"ng toc+ c$aracter "n toc+ cene and toc+ "tuat"on. 'e#et"t")e t$e!e l"+e an
un"dent"&"able d"eae, !adne, and reurrect"on are alo cr"t"c">ed.
Poe- "n#"rat"on &or t$e tory !ay be baed u#on e)ent o& t$e 0$er ,oue, located on
*oton- Hew" D$ar&. A t$at tory goe, a a"lor and t$e young w"&e o& t$e older owner were
caug$t and ento!bed "n t$e"r tryt"ng #ot by $er $uband. D$en t$e 0$er ,oue wa torn
down "n 1800, two bod"e were &ound e!braced "n a ca)"ty "n t$e cellar
7
2 The !carlet Letter
"athaniel Ha#thorne
$onte%t
5at$an"el ,awt$orne wa born "n =ale!, (aac$uett, "n 1804. ," &a!"ly decended
&ro! t$e earl"et ettler o& t$e (aac$uett *ay 7olony< a!ong $" &orebear wa Jo$n
,at$orne (,awt$orne added t$e SwT to $" na!e w$en $e began to wr"te), one o& t$e 4udge at
t$e 1A91 =ale! w"tc$ tr"al. ;$roug$out $" l"&e, ,awt$orne wa bot$ &ac"nated and d"turbed
by $" +"n$"# w"t$ Jo$n ,at$orne. 'a"ed by a w"dowed !ot$er, ,awt$orne attended *owdo"n
7ollege "n (a"ne, w$ere $e !et two #eo#le w$o were to $a)e great "!#act u#on $" l"&eE ,enry
Dadwort$ Hong%&ellow, w$o would later beco!e a &a!ou #oet, and .ran+l"n P"erce, w$o
would later beco!e #re"dent o& t$e 0n"ted =tate.
A&ter college ,awt$orne tr"ed $" $and at wr"t"ng, #roduc"ng $"tor"cal +etc$e and an
anony!ou no)el, *ansha+e, t$at deta"led $" college day rat$er e!barra"ngly. ,awt$orne
alo $eld #o"t"on a an ed"tor and a a cuto! ur)eyor dur"ng t$" #er"od. ," grow"ng
relat"on$"# w"t$ t$e "ntellectual c"rcle t$at "ncluded 'al#$ Daldo E!eron and (argaret .uller
led $"! to abandon $" cuto! #ot &or t$e uto#"an e3#er"!ent at *roo+ .ar!, a co!!une
de"gned to #ro!ote econo!"c el&%u&&"c"ency and trancendental"t #r"nc"#le.
;rancendental"! wa a rel"g"ou and #$"loo#$"cal !o)e!ent o& t$e early n"neteent$ century
t$at wa ded"cated to t$e bel"e& t$at d")"n"ty !an"&et "tel& e)eryw$ere, #art"cularly "n t$e
natural world. 8t alo ad)ocated a #eronal">ed, d"rect relat"on$"# w"t$ t$e d")"ne "n #lace o&
&or!al">ed, tructured rel"g"on. ;$" econd trancendental "dea " #r")"leged "n The Scarlet
Letter,
A&ter !arry"ng &ellow trancendental"t =o#$"a Peabody "n 1841, ,awt$orne le&t *roo+
.ar! and !o)ed "nto t$e Old (ane, a $o!e "n 7oncord w$ere E!eron $ad once l")ed. 8n
184A $e #ubl"$ed !osses from an Old !anse, a collect"on o& eay and tor"e, !any o& w$"c$
are about early A!er"ca. !osses from an Old !anse earned ,awt$orne t$e attent"on o& t$e
l"terary etabl"$!ent becaue A!er"ca wa try"ng to etabl"$ a cultural "nde#endence to
co!#le!ent "t #ol"t"cal "nde#endence, and ,awt$orneU collect"on o& tor"e d"#layed bot$ a
tyl"t"c &re$ne and an "nteret "n A!er"can ub4ect !atter. ,er!an (el)"lle, a!ong ot$er,
$a"led ,awt$orne a t$e SA!er"can =$a+e#eare.T
8n 184: ,awt$orne aga"n went to wor+ a a cuto! ur)eyor, t$" t"!e, l"+e t$e narrator
o& The Scarlet Letter, at a #ot "n =ale!. 8n 18:0, a&ter $a)"ng lot t$e 4ob, $e #ubl"$ed The
Scarlet Letter to ent$u"at"c, "& not w"de#read, accla"!. ," ot$er !a4or no)el "nclude The
-ouse of the Seven Ga.les (18:1), The "lithedale /omance (18:1), and The !ar.le *aun
8
(18A0). 8n 18:9 ,awt$orneU college &r"end .ran+l"n P"erce, &or w$o! $e $ad wr"tten a ca!#a"gn
b"ogra#$y and w$o $ad "nce beco!e #re"dent, a##o"nted ,awt$orne a 0n"ted =tate conul.
;$e wr"ter #ent t$e ne3t "3 year "n Euro#e. ,e d"ed "n 18A4, a &ew year a&ter return"ng to
A!er"ca.
;$e !a4or"ty o& ,awt$orneU wor+ ta+e A!er"caU Pur"tan #at a "t ub4ect, but The
Scarlet Letter ue t$e !ater"al to greatet e&&ect. ;$e Pur"tan were a grou# o& rel"g"ou
re&or!er w$o arr")ed "n (aac$uett "n t$e 1A90 under t$e leader$"# o& Jo$n D"nt$ro#
(w$oe deat$ " recounted "n t$e no)el). ;$e rel"g"ou ect wa +nown &or "t "ntolerance o&
d"ent"ng "dea and l"&etyle. 8n The Scarlet Letter, ,awt$orne ue t$e re#re")e, aut$or"tar"an
Pur"tan oc"ety a an analogue &or $u!an+"nd "n general. ;$e Pur"tan ett"ng alo enable $"! to
#ortray t$e $u!an oul under e3tre!e #reure. ,eter, G"!!edale, and 7$"ll"ngwort$, w$"le
unCuet"onably #art o& t$e Pur"tan oc"ety "n w$"c$ t$ey l")e, alo re&lect un")eral e3#er"ence.
,awt$orne #ea+ #ec"&"cally to A!er"can "ue, but $e c"rcu!)ent t$e aet$et"c and t$e!at"c
l"!"tat"on t$at !"g$t acco!#any uc$ a &ocu. ," un")eral"ty and $" dra!at"c &la"r $a)e
enured $" #lace "n t$e l"terary canon.
Gene&a 'i a(ari)ia romanului Traduceri rom*ne'ti
Litera staco0ie ete ro!anul care%l conacrM #e ,awt$orne Ln l"teratura un")eralM,
aducNndu%" acetu"a &a"!a !ond"alM LncM de la a#ar"V"e. Autorul LW" LnoVeWte ro!anul cu o
"ntroducere % o Xc$"VMT, cu! o nu!eWte el % de#re caa )M!"" d"n orMWelul natal, =ale!. Ontregul
de!er cautM nu doar M >ugrM)eacM n"Wte #erona4e W" !odul lor de )"aVM, c" W" M autent"&"ce
#o)etea #re>entatM, Ln H"tera taco4"e % autorul au!Nndu%W" tatutul de Xredactor au doar cu
&oarte #uV"n !a" !ult decNt redactor al une"a d"ntre cele !a" #rol"3e #o)et"r"U.
,awt$orne e3#l"cM el LnuW" gene>a ro!anulu". .uncV"onNnd ca "n#ector de )a!M t"!#
de tre" an", autorul gMeWte LntN!#lMtor, cotoc"nd #r"n n"Wte $NrVoage, un #ac$et Ln)el"t Lntr%o
bucatM de #erga!ent )ec$" W" LngMlben"t. Pac$etul conV"nea #r"ntre altele W" o bucatM de #ota)
roWu, &oarte u>at, cu ur!e de broder"e de aur, Ln &or!a l"tere" A. O bucatM de $Nrt"e !urdarM
gM"tM L!#reunM cu Xl"tera taco4"eT deluWeWte en"g!a acete" l"tere. At&el, $Nrt"a cu#r"ndea
a!Mnunte d"n )"aVa W" &a#tele une" anu!e ,eter Prynne, care trM"e Ln #er"oada de Lnce#ut a
colon"e" (aac$uett. PMrM"nd )a!a, ca ur!are a une" Xre)oluV""T Ln #lan #ol"t"c, autorul
#urcede la cr"erea "tor"e" &"ct")e a l"tere" taco4"" gM"te #r"ntre )ec$"tur".
+e&umat literar , comentariu literar
;e!a &unda!entalM a ro!anulu" o cont"tu"e #Mcatul. (a" !ult decNt cau>ele cMder"" Ln
#Mcat, cartea aratM e&ectele LncMlcMr"" leg"lor !orale ce tructurea>M or"ce oc"etate, cu atNt !a"
!ult oc"etatea #ur"tanM d"n A!er"ca &NrW"tulu" de ecol 17. Get"nele #rotagon"Wt"lor unt #ue
Lntr%o ecuaV"e a #Mcatulu", aceta cont"tu"nd l"!"ta #e care o!ul nu o #oate trancende, or"cNt de
LncleWtatM ar &" con&runtarea cu ea. Ge a"c", d"n aceatM "!#o"b"l"tate a o!ulu" de a trangrea
l"!"ta "nt"tu"tM #r"n legea !oralM, ">)orMWte trag"cul, care do!"nM det"nele #rotagon"Wt"lor.
OnlMnVu"rea ete tr"ctM, #Mcatul &""nd ur!at "ne)"tab"l de rM#lata a % #edea#a.
,eter Prynne, ero"na acetu" ro!an, e a&lM Ln #otura de &e!e"e adulterM, conda!natM
de oc"etate M #oarte #e #"e#t l"tera A. On dec$"derea ro!anulu" o gM"! #e ,eter gata M
#MWeacM d"ncoace de #oarta Lnc$"or"", #urtNnd #e #"e#t e!nul Lnt"nMr"" % l"tera A, brodatM cu &"r
de aur de ea LnMW", cu neLntrecutM !M"etr"e, #e o bucatM de #Nn>M taco4"e. Ea ete #uM la tNl#ul
"n&a!"e", LndurNnd #r")"r"le a#re W" neLndu#lecate ale !ulV"!"". Y"nNnd Ln braVe e!nul
neLndo"eln"c al adulterulu", un co#"l de tre" lun", ,eter re&u>M M d")ulge nu!ele tatMlu" co#"lulu"
Mu, cu toate "n"tenVele o&"c"al"tMV"lor oraWulu" % autor"tMV" nu doar #ubl"ce, c" W" !oraleE
gu)ernatorul *ell"ng$a!, re)erendul Jo$n D"lon W" re)erendul Art$ur G"!!endale. 8nc"dentul
ca#MtM #ro#orV"" enor!e, #MrNnd cM autor"tMV"le cereWt" W" cele #M!Nntene %au adunat #re a o
4udeca #e b"ata &e!e"e care, #un ele, a cedat LnuW" d"a)olulu".
9
PuM la tNl#ul "n&a!"e", ,eter Ln&runtM o#rob"ul #ubl"c #r"ntr%o at"tud"ne nob"lM W"
e!eaVM. 'ot"ndu%W" #r")"r"le au#ra !ulV"!"" L!#"etr"te Lntr%o r"g"d"tate obrM, ea deco#erM
&"gura oVulu" e", #e care Ll re)ede du#M tre" an" de de#MrV"re. Obo"t de cMlMtor"", #etrecNnd un
t"!# con"derab"l Ln V"nutur"le Mlbat"ce unde %a L!#MrtMW"t d"n Wt""nVa )rac"lor "nd"en", 'oger
7$"ll"ngwort$ dec"de M e tab"leacM Ln oraWul #ur"tan, con)"ngNnd%o #e oV"a a, ,eter, M nu%"
d")ulge ade)Mrata "dent"tate. *ogata a Ln)MVMturM L" #er!"te M e reco!ande ca doctor. Ge a"c"
Lna"nte el LW" )a canal">a toate e&ortur"le Ln d"recV"a unu" "ngur VelE gM"rea )"no)atulu", a celu"
care "%a edu oV"a, W" rM>bunarea. GeW" ,eter LW" #M>eWte ta"na cu LncM#MVNnare, el ete con)"n
cM totul #oate &" cunocut cu cond"V"a ca dor"nVa de a cunoaWte M &"e u&"c"ent de !are W" #r"4"n"tM
#e LnVele#c"une, #e ober)aV"e luc"dM, #e raV"ona!ent.
AlegNnd M nu #MrMeacM oc"etatea care%" aWe>ae t"g!atul #e #"e#t, c" d"!#otr")M, M
Lndure #NnM la ca#Mt otrac">area Ln Nnul acele"aW" co!un"tMV", #entru ,eter )a Lnce#e un
#arcur #l"n de u&er"nVM, la ca#Mtul cMru"a ea )a de)en" o &""nVM !a" bunM W" !a" LnVelea#tM.
PoedNnd talentul deoeb"t de a coae, ea W"%l )a #une Ln lu4ba co!un"tMV"", cNWt"gNndu%W" at&el
e3"tenVa. 7a ur!are a #Mcatulu" #entru care oa!en"" o #ede#"erM atNt de a#ru. Gu!ne>eu L"
dMru"e lu" ,eter un #runc &er!ecMtor, o &et"VM #e care o bote>ae Pearl.
7"rcu!tanVele Ln care &uee >M!"l"tM #Mreau M e re&lecte au#ra caracterulu" co#"le",
ea dNnd do)adM &oarte de)re!e de dNr>en"e, #"r"t co!bat"), LncrNncenare L!#otr")a nedre#tMV"lor
care l" e &Mceau e" W" !a!e" e". Acete trMMtur" au contr"bu"t la crearea Ln oc$"" oa!en"lor a une"
"!ag"n" a lu" Pearl ca &""cM a LnuW" d"a)olulu". AWa e &ace cM, la tre" an" de la co!"terea
del"ctulu", aceleaW" autor"tMV" LncearcM M%" !ulgM lu" ,eter co#"lul, M o #r")e>e de un"ca e"
WanM de !Nntu"re. E3"tM LnM W" a#MrMtor" a" &e!e"". Pledoar"a Ln &a)oarea e" o V"ne LnuW"
re)erendul G"!!endale, aceta &""nd #r"!ul !o!ent Ln care Lnce#e! M u#ectM! rolul 4ucat
de #reot Ln traged"a lu" ,eter. A&lat la #NndM, 'oger 7$"ll"ngwort$ #are M LnVeleagM ce %a
LntN!#lat W" el de)"ne, Lncet%Lncet, o ade)MratM Lntruc$"#are a d"a)olulu" )NnNnd u&lete cM>ute.
E&ortur"le ale e concentrea>M d"n acet !o!ent au#ra cNWt"gMr"" u&letulu" #reotulu" W"
conda!nMr"" acetu"a la Lntuner"cul )eWn"c.
7a ur!are a #ledoar"e" #reotulu", lu" ,eter " e laM Ln gr"4M co#"lul, care #entru ea
Lnea!nM u#re!a &er"c"re W" totodatM u#re!a #edea#M #entru #Mcatul e". GMru"ndu%e contant
#entru b"nele e!en"lor, !unc"nd cu abnegaV"e, dNnd do)adM de genero>"tate W" !"lM, ,eter LW"
tran&or!M l"tera de #e #"e#t Lntr%un "!bol al )ocaV"e", a&"r!Nndu%W" u#er"or"tatea !oralM. Ea are
totuW" Lndo"el" cu #r")"re la 4uteVea dec">"e" luate Ln trecut, de a nu de>)Mlu" nu!ele tatMlu"
co#"lulu" Mu. con"derNnd%o acu! o l"#M de leal"tate, "ncer"tate W" cura4. Pentru a%W" Lndre#ta
)ec$ea greWealM, ea dec"de !a" LntN" M%" co!un"ce #reotulu" "dent"tatea ade)MratM a lu"
7$"ll"ngwort$ care, a&lat de atNta )re!e Ln #rea4!a a, reuW"e, &MrM Wt""nVa acetu"a, M%l L!#"ngM
#e calea #"er>an"e".
Gu#M !Mrtur""re, legMnNndu%e o curtM )re!e cu dulcea "lu>"e a l"bertMV"", ,eter W"
#reotul Art$ur G"!!endale $otMrMc M &ugM L!#reunM Ln bMtrNna Angl"e, ocot"nd cM nu!a"
acolo W"%ar #utea Lnte!e"a un cM!"n W" ar #utea trM" &er"c"V". Gar, MnMtatea, deo#otr")M cea
tru#eacM W" cea #"r"tualM, &""ndu%" Wubre>"tM, #reotul nu #oate Ln &"nal M dea cur acetor #lanur".
On c$"!b, el "a dec">"a de a e de!aca "ngur W" de a acce#ta dec$" t"g!atul ruW"n"" #urtat Ln
acun atNta t"!#. El LW" al)ea>M at&el u&letul. O!#l"n"ndu%W" totodatM det"nul, #entru cM Ln
curNnd )a !ur".

7u! e3"tenVa lu" 7$"ll"ngwort$ &uee alto"tM #recu! aceea a unu" #ara>"t #e cea a
#reotulu", du#M !oartea lu" G"!!endale &""nVa lu" de)"ne d"n ce Ln ce !a" ecMtu"tM de energ"e W"
de )lagM, !ur"nd Ln curt t"!#. ;oatM a)erea le re)"ne #r"n teta!ent lu" ,eter W" &""ce" e".
*ene&"c""nd de aceatM a)ere !ater"alM, #recu! W" de cea #"r"tualM cNWt"gatM #r"n u&er"nVM, cele
douM )or #MrM" =ale!ul, #re a%W" cro" un det"n co de ub en"nul l"tere" taco4"". (ulV" an" !a"
10
tNr>"u ,eter e Lntoarce, #re a%W" gM" #ro#r"a #o)ete tran&or!atM Ln legendM. AWadar, traeul
trMbMtut de ,eter. ca W" de #reot de alt&el, ete un traeu al rede!#V"un"", un traeu la ca#Mtul
cMru"a ce" do" dobNndec al)area u&letelor lor. GeW" autorul nu LW" arogM rolul de 4udecMtor, legea
"!anentM a acetu" un")er u!bru ete una !oralM, con&or! cMre"a Ln lu!e nu e3"tM nuanVe de
gr", c" nu!a" alb au negru.

The Scarlet Letter o#en w"t$ a long #rea!ble about $ow t$e boo+ ca!e to be wr"tten.
;$e na!ele narrator wa t$e ur)eyor o& t$e cuto!$oue "n =ale!, (aac$uett. 8n t$e
cuto!$oueU att"c, $e d"co)ered a nu!ber o& docu!ent, a!ong t$e! a !anucr"#t t$at wa
bundled w"t$ a carlet, gold%e!bro"dered #atc$ o& clot$ "n t$e $a#e o& an SA.T ;$e !anucr"#t,
t$e wor+ o& a #at ur)eyor, deta"led e)ent t$at occurred o!e two $undred year be&ore t$e
narratorU t"!e. D$en t$e narrator lot $" cuto! #ot, $e dec"ded to wr"te a &"ct"onal account
o& t$e e)ent recorded "n t$e !anucr"#t. The Scarlet Letter " t$e &"nal #roduct.
;$e tory beg"n "n e)enteent$%century *oton, t$en a Pur"tan ettle!ent. A young
wo!an, ,eter Prynne, " led &ro! t$e town #r"on w"t$ $er "n&ant daug$ter, Pearl, "n $er ar!
and t$e carlet letter SAT on $er breat. A !an "n t$e crowd tell an elderly onloo+er t$at ,eter
" be"ng #un"$ed &or adultery. ,eterU $uband, a c$olar !uc$ older t$an $e ", ent $er a$ead
to A!er"ca, but $e ne)er arr")ed "n *oton. ;$e conenu " t$at $e $a been lot at ea. D$"le
wa"t"ng &or $er $uband, ,eter $a a##arently $ad an a&&a"r, a $e $a g")en b"rt$ to a c$"ld.
=$e w"ll not re)eal $er lo)erU "dent"ty, $owe)er, and t$e carlet letter, along w"t$ $er #ubl"c
$a!"ng, " $er #un"$!ent &or $er "n and $er ecrecy. On t$" day ,eter " led to t$e town
ca&&old and $arangued by t$e town &at$er, but $e aga"n re&ue to "dent"&y $er c$"ldU &at$er.
;$e elderly onloo+er " ,eterU !""ng $uband, w$o " now #ract"c"ng !ed"c"ne and
call"ng $"!el& 'oger 7$"ll"ngwort$. ,e ettle "n *oton, "ntent on re)enge. ,e re)eal $" true
"dent"ty to no one but ,eter, w$o! $e $a worn to ecrecy. =e)eral year #a. ,eter u##ort
$erel& by wor+"ng a a ea!tre, and Pearl grow "nto a w"ll&ul, "!#"$ c$"ld. =$unned by t$e
co!!un"ty, t$ey l")e "n a !all cottage on t$e out+"rt o& *oton. 7o!!un"ty o&&"c"al atte!#t
to ta+e Pearl away &ro! ,eter, but, w"t$ t$e $el# o& Art$ur G"!!edale, a young and eloCuent
!"n"ter, t$e !ot$er and daug$ter !anage to tay toget$er. G"!!edale, $owe)er, a##ear to be
wat"ng away and u&&er &ro! !yter"ou $eart trouble, ee!"ngly caued by #yc$olog"cal
d"tre. 7$"ll"ngwort$ attac$e $"!el& to t$e a"l"ng !"n"ter and e)entually !o)e "n w"t$ $"!
o t$at $e can #ro)"de $" #at"ent w"t$ round%t$e%cloc+ care. 7$"ll"ngwort$ alo u#ect t$at
t$ere !ay be a connect"on between t$e !"n"terU tor!ent and ,eterU ecret, and $e beg"n to
tet G"!!edale to ee w$at $e can learn. One a&ternoon, w$"le t$e !"n"ter lee#,
7$"ll"ngwort$ d"co)er a !ar+ on t$e !anU breat (t$e deta"l o& w$"c$ are +e#t &ro! t$e
reader), w$"c$ con)"nce $"! t$at $" u#"c"on are correct.
G"!!edaleU #yc$olog"cal angu"$ dee#en, and $e "n)ent new torture &or $"!el&. 8n
t$e !eant"!e, ,eterU c$ar"table deed and Cu"et $u!"l"ty $a)e earned $er a re#r"e)e &ro! t$e
corn o& t$e co!!un"ty. One n"g$t, w$en Pearl " about e)en year old, $e and $er !ot$er are
return"ng $o!e &ro! a )""t to a deat$bed w$en t$ey encounter G"!!edale ato# t$e town
ca&&old, try"ng to #un"$ $"!el& &or $" "n. ,eter and Pearl 4o"n $"!, and t$e t$ree l"n+ $and.
G"!!edale re&ue PearlU reCuet t$at $e ac+nowledge $er #ubl"cly t$e ne3t day, and a !eteor
!ar+ a dull red SAT "n t$e n"g$t +y. ,eter can ee t$at t$e !"n"terU cond"t"on " woren"ng,
and $e reol)e to "nter)ene. =$e goe to 7$"ll"ngwort$ and a+ $"! to to# add"ng to
G"!!edaleU el&%tor!ent. 7$"ll"ngwort$ re&ue.
,eter arrange an encounter w"t$ G"!!edale "n t$e &oret becaue $e " aware t$at
7$"ll"ngwort$ $a #robably gueed t$at $e #lan to re)eal $" "dent"ty to G"!!edale. ;$e
&or!er lo)er dec"de to &lee to Euro#e, w$ere t$ey can l")e w"t$ Pearl a a &a!"ly. ;$ey w"ll ta+e
11
a $"# a"l"ng &ro! *oton "n &our day. *ot$ &eel a ene o& releae, and ,eter re!o)e $er
carlet letter and let down $er $a"r. Pearl, #lay"ng nearby, doe not recogn">e $er !ot$er w"t$out
t$e letter. ;$e day be&ore t$e $"# " to a"l, t$e town#eo#le gat$er &or a $ol"day and
G"!!edale #reac$e $" !ot eloCuent er!on e)er. (eanw$"le, ,eter $a learned t$at
7$"ll"ngwort$ +now o& t$e"r #lan and $a boo+ed #aage on t$e a!e $"#. G"!!edale,
lea)"ng t$e c$urc$ a&ter $" er!on, ee ,eter and Pearl tand"ng be&ore t$e town ca&&old. ,e
"!#ul")ely !ount t$e ca&&old w"t$ $" lo)er and $" daug$ter, and con&ee #ubl"cly,
e3#o"ng a carlet letter eared "nto t$e &le$ o& $" c$et. ,e &all dead, a Pearl +"e $"!.
.rutrated "n $" re)enge, 7$"ll"ngwort$ d"e a year later. ,eter and Pearl lea)e *oton,
and no one +now w$at $a $a##ened to t$e!. (any year later, ,eter return alone, t"ll
wear"ng t$e carlet letter, to l")e "n $er old cottage and reu!e $er c$ar"table wor+. =$e rece")e
occa"onal letter &ro! Pearl, w$o $a !arr"ed a Euro#ean ar"tocrat and etabl"$ed a &a!"ly o&
$er own. D$en ,eter d"e, $e " bur"ed ne3t to G"!!edale. ;$e two $are a "ngle to!btone,
w$"c$ bear a carlet SA.T
$haracter List
Z
Hester Prynne % ,eter " t$e boo+U #rotagon"t and t$e wearer o& t$e carlet letter t$at
g")e t$e boo+ "t t"tle. ;$e letter, a #atc$ o& &abr"c "n t$e $a#e o& an SA,T "gn"&"e t$at ,eter "
an Sadulterer.T A a young wo!an, ,eter !arr"ed an elderly c$olar, 7$"ll"ngwort$, w$o ent
$er a$ead to A!er"ca to l")e but ne)er &ollowed $er. D$"le wa"t"ng &or $"!, $e $ad an a&&a"r
w"t$ a Pur"tan !"n"ter na!ed G"!!edale, a&ter w$"c$ $e ga)e b"rt$ to Pearl. ,eter "
#a"onate but alo trongK$e endure year o& $a!e and corn. =$e eCual bot$ $er $uband
and $er lo)er "n $er "ntell"gence and t$oug$t&ulne. ,er al"enat"on #ut $er "n t$e #o"t"on to
!a+e acute ober)at"on about $er co!!un"ty, #art"cularly about "t treat!ent o& wo!en.
Pearl % ,eterU "lleg"t"!ate daug$ter Pearl " a young g"rl w"t$ a !oody, !"c$"e)ou
#"r"t and an ab"l"ty to #erce")e t$"ng t$at ot$er do not. .or e3a!#le, $e Cu"c+ly d"cern t$e
trut$ about $er !ot$er and G"!!edale. ;$e town#eo#le ay t$at $e barely ee! $u!an and
#read ru!or t$at $er un+nown &at$er " actually t$e Ge)"l. =$e " w"e &ar beyond $er year,
&reCuently engag"ng "n "ron"c #lay $a)"ng to do w"t$ $er !ot$erU carlet letter.
+oger $hilling#orth % S'oger 7$"ll"ngwort$T " actually ,eterU $uband "n d"gu"e.
,e " !uc$ older t$an $e " and $ad ent $er to A!er"ca w$"le $e ettled $" a&&a"r "n Euro#e.
*ecaue $e " ca#tured by 5at")e A!er"can, $e arr")e "n *oton belatedly and &"nd ,eter and
$er "lleg"t"!ate c$"ld be"ng d"#layed on t$e ca&&old. ,e lut &or re)enge, and t$u dec"de to
tay "n *oton de#"te $" w"&eU betrayal and d"grace. ,e " a c$olar and ue $" +nowledge to
d"gu"e $"!el& a a doctor, "ntent on d"co)er"ng and tor!ent"ng ,eterU anony!ou lo)er.
7$"ll"ngwort$ " el&%aborbed and bot$ #$y"cally and #yc$olog"cally !ontrou. ," "ngle%
!"nded #uru"t o& retr"but"on re)eal $"! to be t$e !ot !ale)olent c$aracter "n t$e no)el.
+e-erend Arthur .immesdale % G"!!edale " a young !an w$o ac$"e)ed &a!e "n
England a a t$eolog"an and t$en e!"grated to A!er"ca. 8n a !o!ent o& wea+ne, $e and ,eter
beca!e lo)er. Alt$oug$ $e w"ll not con&e "t #ubl"cly, $e " t$e &at$er o& $er c$"ld. ,e deal
w"t$ $" gu"lt by tor!ent"ng $"!el& #$y"cally and #yc$olog"cally, de)elo#"ng a $eart cond"t"on
a a reult. G"!!edale " an "ntell"gent and e!ot"onal !an, and $" er!on are t$u
!ater#"ece o& eloCuence and #erua")ene. ," co!!"t!ent to $" congregat"on are "n
contant con&l"ct w"t$ $" &eel"ng o& "n&ulne and need to con&e.
Go-ernor /ellingham % ?o)ernor *ell"ng$a! " a wealt$y, elderly gentle!an w$o
#end !uc$ o& $" t"!e conult"ng w"t$ t$e ot$er town &at$er. Ge#"te $" role a go)ernor o& a
&ledgl"ng A!er"can oc"ety, $e )ery !uc$ ree!ble a trad"t"onal Engl"$ ar"tocrat. *ell"ng$a!
12
tend to tr"ctly ad$ere to t$e rule, but $e " ea"ly wayed by G"!!edaleU eloCuence. ,e
re!a"n bl"nd to t$e !"be$a)"or ta+"ng #lace "n $" own $oueE $" "ter, ("tre ,"bb"n, " a
w"tc$.
Mistress Hi00ins % ("tre ,"bb"n " a w"dow w$o l")e w"t$ $er brot$er, ?o)ernor
*ell"ng$a!, "n a lu3ur"ou !an"on. =$e " co!!only +nown to be a w"tc$ w$o )enture "nto t$e
&oret at n"g$t to r"de w"t$ t$e S*lac+ (an.T ,er a##earance at #ubl"c occa"on re!"nd t$e
reader o& t$e $y#ocr"y and $"dden e)"l "n Pur"tan oc"ety.
+e-erend Mr 1ohn 2ilson % *otonU elder clergy!an, 'e)erend D"lon " c$olarly
yet grand&at$erly. ,e " a tereoty#"cal Pur"tan &at$er, a l"terary )er"on o& t$e t"&&, tar+ly
#a"nted #ortra"t o& A!er"can #atr"arc$. H"+e ?o)ernor *ell"ng$a!, D"lon &ollow t$e
co!!un"tyU rule tr"ctly but can be wayed by G"!!edaleU eloCuence. 0nl"+e G"!!edale,
$" 4un"or colleague, D"lon #reac$e $ell&"re and da!nat"on and ad)ocate $ar$ #un"$!ent o&
"nner.
"arrator % ;$e unna!ed narrator wor+ a t$e ur)eyor o& t$e =ale! 7uto!%,oue
o!e two $undred year a&ter t$e no)elU e)ent ta+e #lace. ,e d"co)er an old !anucr"#t "n
t$e bu"ld"ngU att"c t$at tell t$e tory o& ,eter Prynne< w$en $e loe $" 4ob, $e dec"de to wr"te
a &"ct"onal treat!ent o& t$e narrat")e. ;$e narrator " a rat$er $"g$%trung !an, w$oe Pur"tan
ancetry !a+e $"! &eel gu"lty about $" wr"t"ng career. ,e wr"te becaue $e " "ntereted "n
A!er"can $"tory and becaue $e bel"e)e t$at A!er"ca need to better undertand "t rel"g"ou
and !oral $er"tage.
Themes3 Motifs 4 !ym0ols
Z
="n, Fnowledge, and t$e ,u!an 7ond"t"on
="n and +nowledge are l"n+ed "n t$e Judeo%7$r"t"an trad"t"on. ;$e *"ble beg"n w"t$ t$e
tory o& Ada! and E)e, w$o were e3#elled &ro! t$e ?arden o& Eden &or eat"ng &ro! t$e tree o&
+nowledge o& good and e)"l. A a reult o& t$e"r +nowledge, Ada! and E)e are !ade aware o&
t$e"r $u!anne, t$at w$"c$ e#arate t$e! &ro! t$e d")"ne and &ro! ot$er creature. Once
e3#elled &ro! t$e ?arden o& Eden, t$ey are &orced to to"l and to #rocreateKtwo SlaborT t$at
ee! to de&"ne t$e $u!an cond"t"on. ;$e e3#er"ence o& ,eter and G"!!edale recall t$e tory
o& Ada! and E)e becaue, "n bot$ cae, "n reult "n e3#ul"on and u&&er"ng. *ut "t alo reult
"n +nowledgeK#ec"&"cally, "n +nowledge o& w$at "t !ean to be $u!an. .or ,eter, t$e carlet
letter &unct"on a S$er #a#ort "nto reg"on w$ere ot$er wo!en dared not tread,T lead"ng $er to
S#eculateT about $er oc"ety and $erel& !ore SboldlyT t$an anyone ele "n 5ew England. A &or
G"!!edale, t$e SburdenT o& $" "n g")e $"! Sy!#at$"e o "nt"!ate w"t$ t$e "n&ul
brot$er$ood o& !an+"nd, o t$at $" $eart )"brate@B "n un"on w"t$ t$e"r.T ," eloCuent and
#ower&ul er!on der")e &ro! t$" ene o& e!#at$y. ,eter and G"!!edale conte!#late t$e"r
own "n&ulne on a da"ly ba" and try to reconc"le "t w"t$ t$e"r l")ed e3#er"ence. ;$e Pur"tan
elder, on t$e ot$er $and, "n"t on ee"ng eart$ly e3#er"ence a !erely an obtacle on t$e #at$ to
$ea)en. ;$u, t$ey )"ew "n a a t$reat to t$e co!!un"ty t$at $ould be #un"$ed and
u##reed. ;$e"r anwer to ,eterU "n " to otrac">e $er. 6et, Pur"tan oc"ety " tagnant, w$"le
,eter and G"!!edaleU e3#er"ence $ow t$at a tate o& "n&ulne can lead to #eronal
growt$, y!#at$y, and undertand"ng o& ot$er. Parado3"cally, t$ee Cual"t"e are $own to be
"nco!#at"ble w"t$ a tate o& #ur"ty.
;$e 5ature o& E)"l
;$e c$aracter "n t$e no)el &reCuently debate t$e "dent"ty o& t$e S*lac+ (an,T t$e
e!bod"!ent o& e)"l. O)er t$e coure o& t$e no)el, t$e S*lac+ (anT " aoc"ated w"t$
G"!!edale, 7$"ll"ngwort$, and ("tre ,"bb"n, and l"ttle Pearl " t$oug$t by o!e to be t$e
Ge)"lU c$"ld. ;$e c$aracter alo try to root out t$e caue o& e)"lE d"d 7$"ll"ngwort$U
13
el&"$ne "n !arry"ng ,eter &orce $er to t$e Se)"lT $e co!!"tted "n G"!!edaleU ar!I 8
,eter and G"!!edaleU deed re#on"ble &or 7$"ll"ngwort$U tran&or!at"on "nto a !ale)olent
be"ngI ;$" con&u"on o)er t$e nature and caue o& e)"l re)eal t$e #roble! w"t$ t$e Pur"tan
conce#t"on o& "n. ;$e boo+ argue t$at true e)"l ar"e &ro! t$e cloe relat"on$"# between $ate
and lo)e. A t$e narrator #o"nt out "n t$e no)elU conclud"ng c$a#ter, bot$ e!ot"on de#end
u#on Sa $"g$ degree o& "nt"!acy and $eart%+nowledge< eac$ render one "nd")"dual de#endent . . .
u#on anot$er.T E)"l " not &ound "n ,eter and G"!!edaleU lo)e!a+"ng, nor e)en "n t$e cruel
"gnorance o& t$e Pur"tan &at$er. E)"l, "n "t !ot #o"onou &or!, " &ound "n t$e care&ully
#lotted and #rec"ely a"!ed re)enge o& 7$"ll"ngwort$, w$oe lo)e $a been #er)erted. Per$a#
Pearl " not ent"rely wrong w$en $e t$"n+ G"!!edale " t$e S*lac+ (an,T becaue $er &at$er,
too, $a #er)erted $" lo)e. G"!!edale, w$o $ould lo)e Pearl, w"ll not e)en #ubl"cly
ac+nowledge $er. ," cruel den"al o& lo)e to $" own c$"ld !ay be een a &urt$er #er#etrat"ng
e)"l.
8dent"ty and =oc"ety
A&ter ,eter " #ubl"cly $a!ed and &orced by t$e #eo#le o& *oton to wear a badge o&
$u!"l"at"on, $er unw"ll"ngne to lea)e t$e town !ay ee! #u>>l"ng. =$e " not #$y"cally
"!#r"oned, and lea)"ng t$e (aac$uett *ay 7olony would allow $er to re!o)e t$e carlet
letter and reu!e a nor!al l"&e. =ur#r""ngly, ,eter react w"t$ d"!ay w$en 7$"ll"ngwort$ tell
$er t$at t$e town &at$er are con"der"ng lett"ng $er re!o)e t$e letter. ,eterU be$a)"or "
#re!"ed on $er de"re to deter!"ne $er own "dent"ty rat$er t$an to allow ot$er to deter!"ne "t
&or $er. ;o $er, runn"ng away or re!o)"ng t$e letter would be an ac+nowledg!ent o& oc"etyU
#ower o)er $erE $e would be ad!"tt"ng t$at t$e letter " a !ar+ o& $a!e and o!et$"ng &ro!
w$"c$ $e de"re to eca#e. 8ntead, ,eter tay, re&"gur"ng t$e carlet letter a a y!bol o& $er
own e3#er"ence and c$aracter. ,er #at "n " a #art o& w$o $e "< to #retend t$at "t ne)er
$a##ened would !ean deny"ng a #art o& $erel&. ;$u, ,eter )ery deter!"nedly "ntegrate $er
"n "nto $er l"&e.
G"!!edale alo truggle aga"nt a oc"ally deter!"ned "dent"ty. A t$e co!!un"tyU
!"n"ter, $e " !ore y!bol t$an $u!an be"ng. E3ce#t &or 7$"ll"ngwort$, t$oe around t$e
!"n"ter w"ll&ully "gnore $" ob)"ou angu"$, !""nter#ret"ng "t a $ol"ne. 0n&ortunately,
G"!!edale ne)er &ully recogn">e t$e trut$ o& w$at ,eter $a learnedE t$at "nd")"dual"ty and
trengt$ are ga"ned by Cu"et el&%aert"on and by a recon&"gurat"on, not a re4ect"on, o& oneU
a"gned "dent"ty.
Motifs
7")"l">at"on /eru t$e D"lderne
8n The Scarlet Letter, t$e town and t$e urround"ng &oret re#reent o##o"ng be$a)"oral
yte!. ;$e town re#reent c")"l">at"on, a rule%bound #ace w$ere e)eryt$"ng one doe " on
d"#lay and w$ere trangre"on are Cu"c+ly #un"$ed. ;$e &oret, on t$e ot$er $and, " a #ace
o& natural rat$er t$an $u!an aut$or"ty. 8n t$e &oret, oc"etyU rule do not a##ly, and alternate
"dent"t"e can be au!ed. D$"le t$" allow &or !"be$a)"orK ("tre ,"bb"nU !"dn"g$t
r"de, &or e3a!#leK"t alo #er!"t greater $onety and an eca#e &ro! t$e re#re"on o& *oton.
D$en ,eter and G"!!edale !eet "n t$e wood, &or a &ew !o!ent, t$ey beco!e $a##y young
lo)er once aga"n. ,eterU cottage, w$"c$, "gn"&"cantly, " located on t$e out+"rt o& town and
at t$e edge o& t$e &oret, e!bod"e bot$ order. 8t " $er #lace o& e3"le, w$"c$ t"e "t to t$e
aut$or"tar"an town, but becaue "t l"e a#art &ro! t$e ettle!ent, "t " a #lace w$ere $e can create
&or $erel& a l"&e o& relat")e #eace.
5"g$t /eru Gay
*y e!#$a">"ng t$e alternat"on between unl"g$t and dar+ne, t$e no)el organ">e t$e
#lotU e)ent "nto two categor"eE t$oe w$"c$ are oc"ally acce#table, and t$oe w$"c$ !ut ta+e
#lace co)ertly. Gayl"g$t e3#oe an "nd")"dualU act")"t"e and !a+e $"! or $er )ulnerable to
14
#un"$!ent. 5"g$t, on t$e ot$er $and, conceal and enable act")"t"e t$at would not be #o"ble
or tolerated dur"ng t$e dayK&or "ntance, G"!!edaleU encounter w"t$ ,eter and Pearl on t$e
ca&&old. ;$ee not"on o& )""b"l"ty )eru conceal!ent are l"n+ed to two o& t$e boo+U larger
t$e!eKt$e t$e!e o& "nner )eru oc"ally a"gned "dent"ty and o& outer a##earance )eru
"nternal tate. 5"g$t " t$e t"!e w$en "nner nature can !an"&et t$e!el)e. Gur"ng t$e day,
"nter"or"ty " once aga"n $"dden &ro! #ubl"c )"ew, and ecret re!a"n ecret.
E)ocat")e 5a!e
;$e na!e "n t$" no)el o&ten ee! to beg to be "nter#reted allegor"cally. 7$"ll"ngwort$ "
cold and "n$u!an and t$u br"ng a Sc$"llT to ,eterU and G"!!edaleU l")e. SPrynneT r$y!e
w"t$ S"n,T w$"le SG"!!edaleT ugget Sd"!neTKwea+ne, "ndeter!"nacy, lac+ o& "n"g$t,
and lac+ o& w"ll, all o& w$"c$ c$aracter">e t$e young !"n"ter. ;$e na!e SPearlT e)o+e a b"bl"cal
allegor"cal de)"ceKt$e S#earl o& great #r"ceT t$at " al)at"on. ;$" yte! o& na!"ng lend a
#ro&und"ty to t$e tory, l"n+"ng "t to ot$er allegor"cal wor+ o& l"terature uc$ a The Pilgrim1s
Progress and to #ort"on o& t$e *"ble. 8t alo al"gn t$e no)el w"t$ #o#ular &or! o& narrat")e
uc$ a &a"ry tale.
Symbols
;$e =carlet Hetter
;$e carlet letter " !eant to be a y!bol o& $a!e, but "ntead "t beco!e a #ower&ul
y!bol o& "dent"ty to ,eter. ;$e letterU !ean"ng $"&t a t"!e #ae. Or"g"nally "ntended to
!ar+ ,eter a an adulterer, t$e SAT e)entually co!e to tand &or SAble.T ."nally, "t beco!e
"ndeter!"nateE t$e 5at")e A!er"can w$o co!e to watc$ t$e Elect"on Gay #ageant t$"n+ "t !ar+
$er a a #eron o& "!#ortance and tatu. H"+e Pearl, t$e letter &unct"on a a #$y"cal re!"nder o&
,eterU a&&a"r w"t$ G"!!edale. *ut, co!#ared w"t$ a $u!an c$"ld, t$e letter ee!
"n"gn"&"cant, and t$u $el# to #o"nt out t$e ult"!ate !ean"nglene o& t$e co!!un"tyU
yte! o& 4udg!ent and #un"$!ent. ;$e c$"ld $a been ent &ro! ?od, or at leat &ro! nature,
but t$e letter " !erely a $u!an contr")ance. Add"t"onally, t$e "ntab"l"ty o& t$e letterU a##arent
!ean"ng call "nto Cuet"on oc"etyU ab"l"ty to ue y!bol &or "deolog"cal re"n&orce!ent. (ore
o&ten t$an not, a y!bol beco!e a &ocal #o"nt &or cr"t"cal analy" and debate.
;$e (eteor
A G"!!edale tand on t$e ca&&old w"t$ ,eter and Pearl "n 7$a#ter 11, a !eteor
trace out an SAT "n t$e n"g$t +y. ;o G"!!edale, t$e !eteor "!#l"e t$at $e $ould wear a
!ar+ o& $a!e 4ut a ,eter doe. ;$e !eteor " "nter#reted d"&&erently by t$e ret o& t$e
co!!un"ty, w$"c$ t$"n+ t$at "t tand &or SAngelT and !ar+ ?o)ernor D"nt$ro#U entry "nto
$ea)en. *ut SAngelT " an aw+ward read"ng o& t$e y!bol. ;$e Pur"tan co!!only loo+ed to
y!bol to con&"r! d")"ne ent"!ent. 8n t$" narrat")e, $owe)er, y!bol are ta+en to !ean
w$at t$e be$older want t$e! to !ean. ;$e "nc"dent w"t$ t$e !eteor ob)"ouly $"g$l"g$t and
e3e!#l"&"e two d"&&erent ue o& y!bolE Pur"tan and l"terary.
Pearl
Alt$oug$ Pearl " a co!#le3 c$aracter, $er #r"!ary &unct"on w"t$"n t$e no)el " a a
y!bol. Pearl " a ort o& l")"ng )er"on o& $er !ot$erU carlet letter. =$e " t$e #$y"cal
coneCuence o& e3ual "n and t$e "nd"cator o& a trangre"on. 6et, e)en a a re!"nder o&
,eterU S"n,T Pearl " !ore t$an a !ere #un"$!ent to $er !ot$erE $e " alo a ble"ng. =$e
re#reent not only S"nT but alo t$e )"tal #"r"t and #a"on t$at engendered t$at "n. ;$u,
PearlU e3"tence g")e $er !ot$er reaon to l")e, bolter"ng $er #"r"t w$en $e " te!#ted to
g")e u#. 8t " only a&ter G"!!edale " re)ealed to be PearlU &at$er t$at Pearl can beco!e &ully
S$u!an.T 0nt"l t$en, $e &unct"on "n a y!bol"c ca#ac"ty a t$e re!"nder o& an unol)ed
!ytery.
15
5 Mo0y-.ic6
Herman Mel-ille
$onte%t
,er!an (el)"lle wa born "n 5ew 6or+ 7"ty "n 1819, t$e t$"rd o& e"g$t c$"ldren born to
(ar"a ?ane)oort (el)"lle and Allan (el)"lle, a #ro#erou "!#orter o& &ore"gn good. D$en
t$e &a!"ly bu"ne &a"led at t$e end o& t$e 1810, t$e (el)"lle relocated to Albany "n an atte!#t
to re)")e t$e"r &ortune. A tr"ng o& &urt$er bad luc+ and o)erwor+, $owe)er, dro)e $" &at$er to
an early gra)e, and t$e young (el)"lle wa &orced to tart wor+"ng "n a ban+ at t$e age o&
t$"rteen.
A&ter a &ew !ore year o& &or!al educat"on, (el)"lle le&t c$ool at e"g$teen to beco!e an
ele!entary c$ool teac$er. ;$" career wa abru#tly cut $ort and &ollowed by a br"e& tenure a a
new#a#er re#orter. 'unn"ng out o& alternat")e on land, (el)"lle !ade $" &"rt ea )oyage at
n"neteen, a a !erc$ant a"lor on a $"# bound &or H")er#ool, England. ,e returned to A!er"ca
t$e ne3t u!!er to ee+ $" &ortune "n t$e Det. A&ter ettl"ng br"e&ly "n 8ll"no", $e went bac+
eat "n t$e &ace o& cont"nu"ng &"nanc"al d"&&"cult"e.
."nally, dr")en to de#erat"on at twenty%one, (el)"lle co!!"tted to a w$al"ng )oyage o&
"nde&"n"te det"nat"on and cale on board a $"# called t$e Acushnet, ;$" 4ourney too+ $"!
around t$e cont"nent o& =out$ A!er"ca, acro t$e Pac"&"c Ocean, and to t$e =out$ =ea, w$ere
$e abandoned $"# w"t$ a &ellow a"lor "n t$e u!!er o& 1841, e"g$teen !ont$ a&ter ett"ng out
16
&ro! 5ew 6or+. ;$e two !en &ound t$e!el)e "n t$e (arCuea 8land, w$ere t$ey
acc"dentally wandered "nto t$e co!#any o& a tr"be o& cann"bal. Ha!ed w"t$ a bad leg, (el)"lle
beca!e e#arated &ro! $" co!#an"on and #ent a !ont$ alone "n t$e co!#any o& t$e nat")e.
;$" e3#er"ence later &or!ed t$e core o& $" &"rt no)el, Typee& A Peep at Polynesian Life,
#ubl"$ed "n 184A. An "ndeter!"nate !"3ture o& &act and &"ct"on, (el)"lleU &anc"&ul tra)el
narrat")e re!a"ned t$e !ot #o#ular and ucce&ul o& $" wor+ dur"ng $" l"&et"!e.
H"&e a!ong t$ee nat")e and ot$er e3ot"c e3#er"ence abroad #ro)"ded (el)"lle w"t$
endle l"terary conce"t. Ar!ed w"t$ t$e )olu!"nou +nowledge obta"ned &ro! contant read"ng
w$"le at ea, (el)"lle wrote a er"e o& no)el deta"l"ng $" ad)enture and $" #$"loo#$y o& l"&e.
Typee wa &ollowed by Omoo (1847) and !ardi and a 2oyage Thither (1849), two !ore no)el
about $" Polyne"an e3#er"ence. /ed.urn, alo #ubl"$ed "n 1849, " a &"ct"onal">ed account o&
(el)"lleU &"rt )oyage to H")er#ool. ," ne3t no)el, (hite34acket5 or The (orld in a !an3of3
(ar, #ubl"$ed "n 18:0, " a general">ed and allegor"cal account o& l"&e at ea aboard a war$"#.
;$roug$ t$e len o& l"terary $"tory, t$ee &"rt &")e no)el are all een a an
a##rent"ce$"# to w$at " today con"dered (el)"lleU !ater#"ece, !o.y36ick5 or The (hale,
w$"c$ &"rt a##eared "n 18:1. A tory o& !ono!an"a aboard a w$al"ng $"#, !o.y36ick " a
tre!endouly a!b"t"ou no)el t$at &unct"on at once a a docu!entary o& l"&e at ea and a )at
#$"loo#$"cal allegory o& l"&e "n general. 5o acred ub4ect " #ared "n t$" blea+ and cat$"ng
cr"t"Cue o& t$e +nown world, a (el)"lle at"r">e by turn rel"g"ou trad"t"on, !oral )alue, and
t$e l"terary and #ol"t"cal &"gure o& t$e day.
(el)"lle wa "n&luenced "n t$e wr"t"ng o& !o.y36ick by t$e wor+ o& 5at$an"el
,awt$orne, aut$or o& The Scarlet Letter, w$o! $e !et "n 18:0 and to w$o! $e ded"cated !o.y3
6ick, (el)"lle $ad long ad!"red ,awt$orneU #yc$olog"cal de#t$ and got$"c gr"!ne and
aoc"ated ,awt$orne w"t$ a new, d"t"nct")ely A!er"can l"terature. ;$oug$ t$e wor+ o&
=$a+e#eare and ("lton and tor"e "n t$e *"ble (e#ec"ally t$e Old ;eta!ent) "n&luenced
!o.y36ick, (el)"lle d"dnUt loo+ e3clu")ely to celebrated cultural !odel. ,e drew on ource
&ro! #o#ular culture a well< w$al"ng narrat")e, &or e3a!#le, were #o#ular "n t$e n"neteent$
century. (el)"lle rel"ed on ;$o!a *ealeU encyclo#ed"c Natural -istory of the Sperm (hale
and t$e narrat")e )tchings of a (haling %ruise, by J. 'o *rowne.
*y t$e 18:0, w$al"ng wa a dy"ng "ndutry. D$ale $ad been $unted "nto near
e3t"nct"on, and ubt"tute &or w$ale o"l $ad been &ound. Ge#"te "t range o& cultural re&erence
and a&&"l"at"on w"t$ #o#ular genre, !o.y36ick wa a &a"lure. 8t rece#t"on led (el)"lle to de&y
$" cr"t"c by wr"t"ng "n an "ncrea"ngly e3#er"!ental tyle and e)entually &ora+"ng no)el "n
&a)or o& #oetry. ,e d"ed "n 1891.
!o.y36ick re!a"ned largely "gnored unt"l t$e 1910, w$en "t wa red"co)ered and
#ro!oted by l"terary $"tor"an "ntereted "n contruct"ng an A!er"can l"terary trad"t"on. ;o t$ee
cr"t"c, !o.y36ick wa bot$ a e!"nal wor+ elaborat"ng on cla"c A!er"can t$e!e, uc$ a
rel"g"on, &ate, and econo!"c e3#an"on, and a rad"cally e3#er"!ental anac$ron"! t$at
ant"c"#ated (odern"! "n "t out">ed co#e and #at"c$e o& &or!. 8t tand along"de Ja!e
JoyceU 7lysses and Haurence =terneU Tristram Shandy a a no)el t$at a##ear b">arre to t$e
#o"nt o& be"ng unreadable but #ro)e to be "n&"n"tely o#en to "nter#retat"on and d"co)ery.
Plot O)er)"ew
Z
A &ot cand)a un ba"at #e nu!e 8!ael.7u !ult" an" "n ur!a el e a&la "n (an$attan.8ntr%o
>" "%a &acut baga4ele " a o"t la 5ew *red&ord.5u cunotea 5ew *red&ord " %a "ndre#tat d"n
"nt"nct la un $an de langa docur".El a a4un la barul $anulu" "ntaln"ndu%e cu Peter 7o&&"n,nu!"t
" 8ona.A a&lat ca toate #atur"le d"n $an unt ocu#ate,nu!a" daca ar )rea a "!#arata #atul cu un
)anator de balene.8ntr%un tar>"u $ang"ul "%a du #e 8!a"l " #e alt" ae cl"nent" "ntr%o "nca#ere
17
)ec"na.E" au luat c"na acolo ate#tandu%l #e )anator. 7at")a !ar"nar" au dat bu>na "n
"nca#ere,8!a"l ra>gand"ndu%e a !a" "!#arta #atul cu )anatorul de balene.=%a $otarat a
doar!a #e o banca ,dar gerul bate d"n gea! #re ua e3act #e deau#ra lu" 8!a"l.Era !"e>ul
no#t"" " )anatorul nu !a" )en"e.8!ael a a&lat ca )anatorul )enea tar>"u deoarece "ncerca a%"
)anda ca#ul.8ona "%a #u lu" 8!a"l ca )anatorul )"ne d"n (ar"le =udulu"..""ndu%8 &r"g,8a!"l %a
$otarat a "!#arta #atul cu )anatorul ,ducandu%e "n ca!era "na"nte ca aceta a a#ara.
/anatorul de balene a "ntrat "n ca!era " %a ae>at "n #at.7and ce" do" %au at"n,au ar"t
"!#reuna "n u,"n&r"coat".,ang"ul a a4un "!ed"at "n ca!era #otol"ndu%8 #e ca" do" care t"#au de
&r"ca.8!a"l a a&lat ca #e )anator "l c$ea!a [ueCueg.7e" do" %au "!#r"eten"t " au !ancat
"!#reuna.Au cautat a doua >" o barca cu care a #lece "ntr%o calator"e,#entru a )ana balene.Au
urcat "ntr%un )a nu!"t PeCuod.7a#"tanul )aulu" e nu!e Peleg,dar " e #unea ca#"tanul
A$ab.7atre #ran> au ter!"nat " au #lecat " ult"!"" d"ntre )elar".7a#"tanul A$ab a)ea un #"c"or
de &"lde ,care "%l !ancae (oby G"c+.E" trebu"au a "l )ane>e.Aua4un "n t"nutul
"cebergur"lor,unde erau !ulte balene.8ndata e" >arec una, lanand balen"erele la a#a.;ot" e
"ndre#tau #re balena,"n&acand%o cu $or#oanele.Au #r"n%o cu n"te &or",legand%o de
)a.7a#"tanul A$ab "%a ta"at ca#ul d"n el curgand l"c$"dul #ret"o #e care tot" )anator"" de balene
"l cautau.Au u!#lut cate)a butoa"e cu l"c$"dul acela " au a4un la o colon"e de balene,d"n care au
!a" )anat cate)a. 7a#"tanul A$ab "%a &acut un $ar#on #ec"al cu care a%l o!oare #e (oby
G"c+.=%au "ntal"nt cu un alt )a al car"u ca#"tan a)ea o !ana de &"lde,ea &""nd !ancata de (oby
G"c+.H%au >ar"t #e (oby G"c+ cu "n&or!at""le de la ca#"tanul cu !ana de &"lde #e care l%au
"n4ung$"at cu cate)a $ar#oane.8n 4urul au %au &acut ute de &or" ,dar balena #arca nu a)ea
n"!"c. A$ab "%a luat $ar#onul " l%a ra>bunat #e =tarbuc+,care &uee !ancat de (oby G"c+.
A$ab "%a ta"at ca#ul " au )a>ut ca l"c$"dul balene" era d"&er"t de al celorlalte.At&el e" "%au
cont"nuat calator"a,)anand !a" !ulte balene.
8$!ael, t$e narrator, announce $" "ntent to $"# aboard a w$al"ng )eel. ,e $a !ade
e)eral )oyage a a a"lor but none a a w$aler. ,e tra)el to 5ew *ed&ord, (aac$uett,
w$ere $e tay "n a w$alerU "nn. ="nce t$e "nn " rat$er &ull, $e $a to $are a bed w"t$ a
$ar#ooner &ro! t$e =out$ Pac"&"c na!ed [ueeCueg. At &"rt re#uled by [ueeCuegU trange
$ab"t and $oc+"ng a##earance ([ueeCueg " co)ered w"t$ tattoo), 8$!ael e)entually co!e to
a##rec"ate t$e !anU genero"ty and +"nd #"r"t, and t$e two dec"de to ee+ wor+ on a w$al"ng
)eel toget$er. ;$ey ta+e a &erry to 5antuc+et, t$e trad"t"onal ca#"tal o& t$e w$al"ng "ndutry.
;$ere t$ey ecure bert$ on t$e Pe8uod, a a)age%loo+"ng $"# adorned w"t$ t$e bone and teet$
o& #er! w$ale. Peleg and *"ldad, t$e Pe8uodU [ua+er owner, dr")e a $ard barga"n "n ter! o&
alary. ;$ey alo !ent"on t$e $"#U !yter"ou ca#ta"n, A$ab, w$o " t"ll reco)er"ng &ro! lo"ng
$" leg "n an encounter w"t$ a #er! w$ale on $" lat )oyage.
;$e Pe8uod lea)e 5antuc+et on a cold 7$r"t!a Gay w"t$ a crew !ade u# o& !en &ro!
!any d"&&erent countr"e and race. =oon t$e $"# " "n war!er water, and A$ab !a+e $" &"rt
a##earance on dec+, balanc"ng g"ngerly on $" &ale leg, w$"c$ " !ade &ro! a #er! w$aleU
4aw. ,e announce $" de"re to #urue and +"ll (oby G"c+, t$e legendary great w$"te w$ale w$o
too+ $" leg, becaue $e ee t$" w$ale a t$e e!bod"!ent o& e)"l. A$ab na"l a gold doubloon to
t$e !at and declare t$at "t w"ll be t$e #r">e &or t$e &"rt !an to "g$t t$e w$ale. A t$e Pe8uod
a"l toward t$e out$ern t"# o& A&r"ca, w$ale are "g$ted and unucce&ully $unted. Gur"ng t$e
$unt, a grou# o& !en, none o& w$o! anyone on t$e $"#U crew $a een be&ore on t$e )oyage,
e!erge &ro! t$e $old. ;$e !enU leader " an e3ot"c%loo+"ng !an na!ed .edalla$. ;$ee !en
cont"tute A$abU #r")ate $ar#oon crew, !uggled aboard "n de&"ance o& *"ldad and Peleg. A$ab
$o#e t$at t$e"r +"ll and .edalla$U #ro#$et"c ab"l"t"e w"ll $el# $"! "n $" $unt &or (oby G"c+.
18
;$e Pe8uod round A&r"ca and enter t$e 8nd"an Ocean. A &ew w$ale are ucce&ully
caug$t and #roceed &or t$e"r o"l. .ro! t"!e to t"!e, t$e $"# encounter ot$er w$al"ng )eel.
A$ab alway de!and "n&or!at"on about (oby G"c+ &ro! t$e"r ca#ta"n. One o& t$e $"#, t$e
4ero.oam, carr"e ?abr"el, a cra>ed #ro#$et w$o #red"ct doo! &or anyone w$o t$reaten (oby
G"c+. ," #red"ct"on ee! to carry o!e we"g$t, a t$oe aboard $" $"# w$o $a)e $unted t$e
w$ale $a)e !et d"ater. D$"le try"ng to dra"n t$e o"l &ro! t$e $ead o& a ca#tured #er! w$ale,
;a$tego, one o& t$e Pe8uodU $ar#ooner, &all "nto t$e w$aleU )olu!"nou $ead, w$"c$ t$en
r"# &ree o& t$e $"# and beg"n to "n+. [ueeCueg a)e ;a$tego by d")"ng "nto t$e ocean and
cutt"ng "nto t$e lowly "n+"ng $ead.
Gur"ng anot$er w$ale $unt, P"#, t$e Pe8uodU blac+ cab"n boy, 4u!# &ro! a w$aleboat
and " le&t be$"nd "n t$e !"ddle o& t$e ocean. ,e goe "nane a t$e reult o& t$e e3#er"ence and
beco!e a cra>y but #ro#$et"c 4eter &or t$e $"#. =oon a&ter, t$e Pe8uod !eet t$e Samuel
)nder.y, a w$al"ng $"# w$oe +"##er, 7a#ta"n *oo!er, $a lot an ar! "n an encounter w"t$
(oby G"c+. ;$e two ca#ta"n d"cu t$e w$ale< *oo!er, $a##y "!#ly to $a)e ur)")ed $"
encounter, cannot undertand A$abU lut &or )engeance. 5ot long a&ter, [ueeCueg &all "ll and
$a t$e $"#U car#enter !a+e $"! a co&&"n "n ant"c"#at"on o& $" deat$. ,e reco)er, $owe)er, and
t$e co&&"n e)entually beco!e t$e Pe8uodU re#lace!ent l"&e buoy.
A$ab order a $ar#oon &orged "n t$e e3#ectat"on t$at $e w"ll oon encounter (oby G"c+.
,e ba#t">e t$e $ar#oon w"t$ t$e blood o& t$e Pe8uodU t$ree $ar#ooner. ;$e Pe8uod +"ll
e)eral !ore w$ale. 8u"ng a #ro#$ecy about A$abU deat$, .edalla$ declare t$at A$ab w"ll
&"rt ee two $eare, t$e econd o& w$"c$ w"ll be !ade only &ro! A!er"can wood, and t$at $e
w"ll be +"lled by $e!# ro#e. A$ab "nter#ret t$ee word to !ean t$at $e w"ll not d"e at ea,
w$ere t$ere are no $eare and no $ang"ng. A ty#$oon $"t t$e Pe8uod, "llu!"nat"ng "t w"t$
electr"cal &"re. A$ab ta+e t$" occurrence a a "gn o& "!!"nent con&rontat"on and ucce, but
=tarbuc+, t$e $"#U &"rt !ate, ta+e "t a a bad o!en and con"der +"ll"ng A$ab to end t$e !ad
Cuet. A&ter t$e tor! end, one o& t$e a"lor &all &ro! t$e $"#U !at$ead and drownKa gr"!
&ore$adow"ng o& w$at l"e a$ead.
A$abU &er)ent de"re to &"nd and detroy (oby G"c+ cont"nue to "nten"&y, and t$e !ad
P"# " now $" contant co!#an"on. ;$e Pe8uod a##roac$e t$e eCuator, w$ere A$ab e3#ect to
&"nd t$e great w$ale. ;$e $"# encounter two !ore w$al"ng $"#, t$e /achel and t$e 6elight,
bot$ o& w$"c$ $a)e recently $ad &atal encounter w"t$ t$e w$ale. A$ab &"nally "g$t (oby G"c+.
;$e $ar#oon boat are launc$ed, and (oby G"c+ attac+ A$abU $ar#oon boat, detroy"ng "t. ;$e
ne3t day, (oby G"c+ " "g$ted aga"n, and t$e boat are lowered once !ore. ;$e w$ale "
$ar#ooned, but (oby G"c+ aga"n attac+ A$abU boat. .edalla$, tra##ed "n t$e $ar#oon l"ne, "
dragged o)erboard to $" deat$. =tarbuc+ !ut !aneu)er t$e Pe8uod between A$ab and t$e
angry w$ale.
On t$e t$"rd day, t$e boat are once aga"n ent a&ter (oby G"c+, w$o once aga"n attac+
t$e!. ;$e !en can ee .edalla$U cor#e la$ed to t$e w$ale by t$e $ar#oon l"ne. (oby G"c+
ra! t$e Pe8uod and "n+ "t. A$ab " t$en caug$t "n a $ar#oon l"ne and $urled out o& $" $ar#oon
boat to $" deat$. All o& t$e re!a"n"ng w$aleboat and !en are caug$t "n t$e )orte3 created by
t$e "n+"ng Pe8uod and #ulled under to t$e"r deat$. 8$!ael, w$o wa t$rown &ro! a boat at t$e
beg"nn"ng o& t$e c$ae, wa &ar enoug$ away to eca#e t$e w$"rl#ool, and $e alone ur)")e. ,e
&loat ato# [ueeCuegU co&&"n, w$"c$ #o##ed bac+ u# &ro! t$e wrec+, unt"l $e " #"c+ed u# by t$e
/achel, w$"c$ " t"ll earc$"ng &or t$e crew!en lot "n $er earl"er encounter w"t$ (oby G"c+.
7$aracter H"t
Z
7shmael % ;$e narrator, and a 4un"or !e!ber o& t$e crew o& t$e Pe8uod, 8$!ael doenUt
#lay a !a4or role "n t$e e)ent o& t$e no)el, but !uc$ o& t$e narrat")e " ta+en u# by $" eloCuent,
)erboe, and e3tra)agant d"coure on w$ale and w$al"ng.
19
Aha0 % ;$e ego!an"acal ca#ta"n o& t$e Pe8uod, A$ab lot $" leg to (oby G"c+. ,e "
"ngle%!"nded "n $" #uru"t o& t$e w$ale, u"ng a !"3ture o& c$ar"!a and terror to #eruade $"
crew to 4o"n $"!. A a ca#ta"n, $e " d"ctator"al but not un&a"r. At !o!ent $e $ow a
co!#a"onate "de, car"ng &or t$e "nane P"# and !u"ng on $" w"&e and c$"ld bac+ "n
5antuc+et.
Mo0y .ic6 % ;$e great w$"te #er! w$ale. (oby G"c+, alo re&erred to a t$e D$"te
D$ale, " an "n&a!ou and dangerou t$reat to ea!en, con"dered by A$ab t$e "ncarnat"on o&
e)"l and a &ated ne!e".
!tar0uc6 % ;$e &"rt !ate o& t$e Pe8uod, =tarbuc+ Cuet"on A$abU 4udg!ent, &"rt "n
#r")ate and later "n #ubl"c. ,e " a [ua+er w$o bel"e)e t$at 7$r"t"an"ty o&&er a way to "nter#ret
t$e world around $"!, alt$oug$ $e " not dog!at"c or #u$y about $" bel"e&. =tarbuc+ act a a
coner)at")e &orce aga"nt A$abU !an"a.
8uee9ueg % =tarbuc+U +"lled $ar#ooner and 8$!aelU bet &r"end. [ueeCueg wa once
a #r"nce &ro! a =out$ =ea "land w$o towed away on a w$al"ng $"# "n earc$ o& ad)enture. ,e
" a co!#o"te o& ele!ent o& A&r"can, Polyne"an, 8la!"c, 7$r"t"an, and 5at")e A!er"can
culture. ,e " bra)e and generou, and enable 8$!ael to ee t$at race $a no bear"ng on a
!anU c$aracter.
!tu00 % ;$e econd !ate o& t$e Pe8uod, =tubb, c$"e&ly c$aracter">ed by $" !"c$"e)ou
good $u!or, " eaygo"ng and #o#ular. ,e #ro)e a b"t o& a n"$"l"t, alway trut"ng "n &ate and
re&u"ng to a"gn too !uc$ "gn"&"cance to anyt$"ng.
Tashtego % =tubbU $ar#ooner, ;a$tego " a ?ay ,ead 8nd"an &ro! (art$aU /"neyard,
one o& t$e lat o& a tr"be about to d"a##ear. ;a$tego #er&or! !any o& t$e +"lled ta+ aboard
t$e $"#, uc$ a ta##"ng t$e cae o& #er!acet" "n t$e w$aleU $ead. H"+e [ueeCueg, ;a$tego
e!bod"e certa"n c$aracter"t"c o& t$e Snoble a)ageT and " !eant to de&y rac"al tereoty#e. ,e
", $owe)er, !ore #ract"cal and le "ntellectual t$an [ueeCuegE l"+e !any a co!!on a"lor,
;a$tego cra)e ru!.
Flas6 % A nat")e o& ;"bury on (art$aU /"neyard and t$e t$"rd !ate o& t$e Pe8uod,
=$ort and toc+y, .la+ $a a con&rontat"onal att"tude and no re)erence &or anyt$"ng. ," tature
$a earned $"! t$e n"c+na!e SF"ng%Pot,T becaue $e ree!ble a certa"n ty#e o& $ort, Cuare
t"!ber.
.aggoo % .la+U $ar#ooner. Gaggoo " a #$y"cally enor!ou, "!#er"ou%loo+"ng
A&r"can. H"+e [ueeCueg, $e towed away on a w$al"ng $"# t$at to##ed near $" $o!e. Gaggoo
" le #ro!"nent "n t$e narrat")e t$an e"t$er [ueeCueg or ;a$tego.
Pi( % A young blac+ boy w$o &"ll t$e role o& a cab"n boy or 4eter on t$e Pe8uod, P"# $a
a !"n"!al role "n t$e beg"nn"ng o& t$e narrat")e but beco!e "!#ortant w$en $e goe "nane a&ter
be"ng le&t to dr"&t alone "n t$e ea &or o!e t"!e. H"+e t$e &ool "n =$a+e#eareU #lay, $e " $al&
"d"ot and $al& #ro#$et, o&ten #erce")"ng t$"ng t$at ot$er donUt.
Fedallah % A trange, Sor"entalT old Paree (Per"an &"re%wor$"##er) w$o! A$ab $a
broug$t on board unbe+nownt to !ot o& t$e crew. .edalla$ $a a )ery tr"+"ng a##earanceE
around $" $ead " a turban !ade &ro! $" own $a"r, and $e wear a blac+ 7$"nee 4ac+et and
#ant. ,e " an al!ot u#ernaturally +"lled $unter and alo er)e a a #ro#$et to A$ab.
.edalla$ +ee# $" d"tance &ro! t$e ret o& t$e crew, w$o &or t$e"r #art )"ew $"! w"t$ uneae.
Peleg % A well%to%do ret"red w$ale!an o& 5antuc+et and a [ua+er. A one o& t$e
#r"nc"#al owner o& t$e Pe8uod, Peleg, along w"t$ 7a#ta"n *"ldad, ta+e care o& $"r"ng t$e crew.
D$en t$e two are negot"at"ng wage &or 8$!ael and [ueeCueg, Peleg #lay t$e generou one,
alt$oug$ $" alary o&&er " not terr"bly "!#re")e.
/ildad % Anot$er well%to%do [ua+er e3%w$ale!an &ro! 5antuc+et w$o own a large
$are o& t$e Pe8uod, *"ldad " (or #retend to be) crut"er t$an Peleg "n negot"at"on o)er wage.
20
*ot$ !en d"#lay a bu"ne ene and a bloodt$"rt"ne unuual &or [ua+er, w$o are nor!ally
#ac"&"t.
Father Ma((le % A &or!er w$ale!an and now t$e #reac$er "n t$e 5ew *ed&ord
D$ale!anU 7$a#el. .at$er (a##le del")er a er!on on Jona$ and t$e w$ale "n w$"c$ $e ue
t$e *"ble to addre t$e w$ale!enU l")e. Hearned but alo e3#er"enced, $e " an e3a!#le o&
o!eone w$oe tr"al $a)e led $"! toward ?od rat$er t$an b"tterne or re)enge.
$a(tain /oomer % ;$e 4o)"al ca#ta"n o& t$e Engl"$ w$al"ng $"# t$e Samuel )nder.y.
*oo!er lot $" ar! "n an acc"dent "n)ol)"ng (oby G"c+. 0nl"+e A$ab, *oo!er " glad to $a)e
eca#ed w"t$ $" l"&e, and $e ee &urt$er #uru"t o& t$e w$ale a !adne. ,e " a &o"l &or A$ab,
a t$e two !en react "n d"&&erent way to a "!"lar e3#er"ence.
Ga0riel % A a"lor aboard t$e 4ero.oam, Part o& a =$a+er ect, ?abr"el $a #ro#$e"ed
t$at (oby G"c+ " t$e "ncarnat"on o& t$e =$a+er god and t$at any atte!#t to $ar! $"! w"ll reult
"n d"ater. ," #ro#$ec"e $a)e been borne out by t$e deat$ o& t$e 4ero.oamU !ate "n a w$ale
$unt and t$e #lague t$at rage aboard t$e $"#.
Themes
;$e!e are t$e &unda!ental and o&ten un")eral "dea e3#lored "n a l"terary wor+.
;$e H"!"t o& Fnowledge
A 8$!ael tr"e, "n t$e o#en"ng #age o& !o.y36ick, to o&&er a "!#le collect"on o&
l"terary e3cer#t !ent"on"ng w$ale, $e d"co)er t$at, t$roug$out $"tory, t$e w$ale $a ta+en on
an "ncred"ble !ult"#l"c"ty o& !ean"ng. O)er t$e coure o& t$e no)el, $e !a+e ue o& nearly
e)ery d"c"#l"ne +nown to !an "n $" atte!#t to undertand t$e eent"al nature o& t$e w$ale.
Eac$ o& t$ee yte! o& +nowledge, $owe)er, "nclud"ng art, ta3ono!y, and #$renology, &a"l to
g")e an adeCuate account. ;$e !ult"#l"c"ty o& a##roac$e t$at 8$!ael ta+e, cou#led w"t$ $"
co!#ul")e need to aert $" aut$or"ty a a narrator and t$e &reCuent re&erence to t$e l"!"t o&
ober)at"on (!en cannot ee t$e de#t$ o& t$e ocean, &or e3a!#le), ugget t$at $u!an
+nowledge " alway l"!"ted and "nu&&"c"ent. D$en "t co!e to (oby G"c+ $"!el&, t$"
l"!"tat"on ta+e on allegor"cal "gn"&"cance. ;$e way o& (oby G"c+, l"+e t$oe o& t$e 7$r"t"an
?od, are un+nowable to !an, and t$u try"ng to "nter#ret t$e!, a A$ab doe, " "ne)"tably &ut"le
and o&ten &atal.
;$e Gece#t")ene o& .ate
8n add"t"on to $"g$l"g$t"ng !any #ortentou or &ore$adow"ng e)ent, 8$!aelU narrat")e
conta"n !any re&erence to &ate, creat"ng t$e "!#re"on t$at t$e Pe8uodU doo! " "ne)"table.
(any o& t$e a"lor bel"e)e "n #ro#$ec"e, and o!e e)en cla"! t$e ab"l"ty to &oretell t$e &uture.
A nu!ber o& t$"ng ugget, $owe)er, t$at c$aracter are actually delud"ng t$e!el)e w$en t$ey
t$"n+ t$at t$ey ee t$e wor+ o& &ate and t$at &ate e"t$er doenUt e3"t or " one o& t$e !any &orce
about w$"c$ $u!an be"ng can $a)e no d"t"nct +nowledge. A$ab, &or e3a!#le, clearly e3#lo"t
t$e a"lorU bel"e& "n &ate to !an"#ulate t$e! "nto t$"n+"ng t$at t$e Cuet &or (oby G"c+ " t$e"r
co!!on det"ny. (oreo)er, t$e #ro#$e"e o& .edalla$ and ot$er ee! to be undercut "n
7$a#ter 99, w$en )ar"ou "nd")"dual "nter#ret t$e doubloon "n d"&&erent way, de!ontrat"ng
t$at $u!an #ro4ect w$at t$ey want to ee w$en t$ey try to "nter#ret "gn and #ortent.
;$e E3#lo"tat")e 5ature o& D$al"ng
At &"rt glance, t$e Pe8uod ee! l"+e an "land o& eCual"ty and &ellow$"# "n t$e !"dt o&
a rac"t, $"erarc$"cally tructured world. ;$e $"#U crew "nclude !en &ro! all corner o& t$e
globe and all race w$o ee! to get along $ar!on"ouly. 8$!ael " "n"t"ally uneay u#on
!eet"ng [ueeCueg, but $e Cu"c+ly real">e t$at "t " better to $a)e a Sober cann"bal t$an a
drun+en 7$r"t"anT &or a $"#!ate. Add"t"onally, t$e cond"t"on o& wor+ aboard t$e Pe8uod
#ro!ote a certa"n +"nd o& egal"tar"an"!, "nce !en are #ro!oted and #a"d accord"ng to t$e"r
+"ll. ,owe)er, t$e wor+ o& w$al"ng #arallel t$e ot$er e3#lo"tat")e act")"t"eKbu&&alo $unt"ng,
21
gold !"n"ng, un&a"r trade w"t$ "nd"genou #eo#leKt$at c$aracter">e A!er"can and Euro#ean
terr"tor"al e3#an"on. Eac$ o& t$e Pe8uodU !ate, w$o are w$"te, " ent"rely de#endent on a
nonw$"te $ar#ooner, and nonw$"te #er&or! !ot o& t$e d"rty or dangerou 4ob aboard t$e $"#.
.la+ actually tand on Gaggoo, $" A&r"can $ar#ooner, "n order to beat t$e ot$er !ate to a
#r">e w$ale. A$ab " de#"cted a wal+"ng o)er t$e blac+ yout$ P"#, w$o l"ten to A$abU #ac"ng
&ro! below dec+, and " t$u re!"nded t$at $" )alue a a la)e " le t$an t$e )alue o& a w$ale.
Motifs
(ot"& are recurr"ng tructure, contrat, and l"terary de)"ce t$at can $el# to de)elo#
and "n&or! t$e te3tU !a4or t$e!e.
D$"tene
D$"tene, to 8$!ael, " $orr"ble becaue "t re#reent t$e unnatural and t$reaten"ngE
alb"no, creature t$at l")e "n e3tre!e and "n$o#"table en)"ron!ent, wa)e brea+"ng aga"nt
roc+. ;$ee e3a!#le re)ere t$e trad"t"onal aoc"at"on o& w$"tene w"t$ #ur"ty. D$"tene
con)ey bot$ a lac+ o& !ean"ng and an unreadable e3ce o& !ean"ng t$at con&ound "nd")"dual.
(oby G"c+ " t$e #"nnacle o& w$"tene, and (el)"lleU c$aracter cannot ob4ect")ely undertand
t$e D$"te D$ale. A$ab, &or "ntance, bel"e)e t$at (oby G"c+ re#reent e)"l, w$"le 8$!ael
&a"l "n $" atte!#t to deter!"ne c"ent"&"cally t$e w$aleU &unda!ental nature.
=ur&ace and Ge#t$
8$!ael &reCuently be!oan t$e "!#o"b"l"ty o& e3a!"n"ng anyt$"ng "n "t ent"rety,
not"ng t$at only t$e ur&ace o& ob4ect and en)"ron!ent are a)a"lable to t$e $u!an ober)er.
On a l")e w$ale, &or e3a!#le, only t$e outer layer #reent "tel&< on a dead w$ale, "t "
"!#o"ble to deter!"ne w$at cont"tute t$e w$aleU +"n, or w$"c$ #artK+eleton, blubber,
$eadKo&&er t$e bet undertand"ng o& t$e ent"re an"!al. (oreo)er, a t$e w$ale w"!, "t $"de
!uc$ o& "t body underwater, away &ro! t$e $u!an ga>e, and no one +now w$ere "t goe or
w$at "t doe. ;$e ea "tel& " t$e greatet &rutrat"on "n t$" regardE "t de#t$ are !yter"ou and
"nacce"ble to 8$!ael. ;$" !ot"& re#reent t$e larger #roble! o& t$e l"!"tat"on o& $u!an
+nowledge. ,u!an+"nd " not all%ee"ng< we can only ober)e, and t$u only acCu"re +nowledge
about, t$at &ract"on o& ent"t"eKbot$ "nd")"dual and en)"ron!entKto w$"c$ we $a)e acceE
ur&ace.
Symbols
=y!bol are ob4ect, c$aracter, &"gure, and color ued to re#reent abtract "dea or
conce#t.
;$e PeCuod
5a!ed a&ter a 5at")e A!er"can tr"be "n (aac$uett t$at d"d not long ur)")e t$e
arr")al o& w$"te !en and t$u !e!or"al">"ng an e3t"nct"on, t$e Pe8uod " a y!bol o& doo!. 8t "
#a"nted a gloo!y blac+ and co)ered "n w$ale teet$ and bone, l"terally br"tl"ng w"t$ t$e
!e!ento o& )"olent deat$. 8t ", "n &act, !ar+ed &or deat$. Adorned l"+e a #r"!"t")e co&&"n, t$e
Pe8uod beco!e one.
(oby G"c+
(oby G"c+ #oee )ar"ou y!bol"c !ean"ng &or )ar"ou "nd")"dual. ;o t$e
Pe8uodU crew, t$e legendary D$"te D$ale " a conce#t onto w$"c$ t$ey can d"#lace t$e"r
an3"et"e about t$e"r dangerou and o&ten )ery &r"g$ten"ng 4ob. *ecaue t$ey $a)e no delu"on
about (oby G"c+ act"ng !ale)olently toward !en or l"terally e!body"ng e)"l, tale about t$e
w$ale allow t$e! to con&ront t$e"r &ear, !anage "t, and cont"nue to &unct"on. A$ab, on t$e ot$er
$and, bel"e)e t$at (oby G"c+ " a !an"&etat"on o& all t$at " wrong w"t$ t$e world, and $e &eel
t$at "t " $" det"ny to erad"cate t$" y!bol"c e)"l.
(oby G"c+ alo bear out "nter#retat"on not t"ed down to #ec"&"c c$aracter. 8n "t
"ncrutable "lence and !yter"ou $ab"t, &or e3a!#le, t$e D$"te D$ale can be read a an
allegor"cal re#reentat"on o& an un+nowable ?od. A a #ro&"table co!!od"ty, "t &"t "nto t$e
22
c$e!e o& w$"te econo!"c e3#an"on and e3#lo"tat"on "n t$e n"neteent$ century. A a #art o& t$e
natural world, "t re#reent t$e detruct"on o& t$e en)"ron!ent by uc$ $ubr"t"c e3#an"on.
[ueeCuegU 7o&&"n
[ueeCuegU co&&"n alternately y!bol">e l"&e and deat$. [ueeCueg $a "t bu"lt w$en $e "
er"ouly "ll, but w$en $e reco)er, "t beco!e a c$et to $old $" belong"ng and an e!ble! o&
$" w"ll to l")e. ,e #er#etuate t$e +nowledge tattooed on $" body by car)"ng "t onto t$e co&&"nU
l"d. ;$e co&&"n &urt$er co!e to y!bol">e l"&e, "n a !orb"d way, w$en "t re#lace t$e Pe8uod.
: The Ad-entures of Huc6le0erry Finn
Mar6 T#ain
$onte%t
(ar+ ;wa"n wa born =a!uel Hang$orne 7le!en "n t$e town o& .lor"da, ("our", "n
189:. D$en $e wa &our year old, $" &a!"ly !o)ed to ,ann"bal, a town on t$e ("""##"
'")er !uc$ l"+e t$e town de#"cted "n $" two !ot &a!ou no)el, The Adventures of Tom
Sa+yer (187A) and The Adventures of -uckle.erry *inn (1884).
23
7le!en #ent $" young l"&e "n a &a"rly a&&luent &a!"ly t$at owned a nu!ber o&
$oue$old la)e. ;$e deat$ o& 7le!enU &at$er "n 1847, $owe)er, le&t t$e &a!"ly "n $ard$"#.
7le!en le&t c$ool, wor+ed &or a #r"nter, and, "n 18:1, $a)"ng &"n"$ed $" a##rent"ce$"#, began
to et ty#e &or $" brot$er Or"onU new#a#er, t$e -anni.al 4ournal, *ut ,ann"bal #ro)ed too
!all to $old 7le!en, w$o oon beca!e a ort o& "t"nerant #r"nter and &ound wor+ "n a nu!ber
o& A!er"can c"t"e, "nclud"ng 5ew 6or+ and P$"ladel#$"a.
D$"le t"ll "n $" early twent"e, 7le!en ga)e u# $" #r"nt"ng career "n order to wor+ on
r")erboat on t$e ("""##". 7le!en e)entually beca!e a r")erboat #"lot, and $" l"&e on t$e
r")er "n&luenced $"! a great deal. Per$a# !ot "!#ortant, t$e r")erboat l"&e #ro)"ded $"! w"t$
t$e #en na!e (ar+ ;wa"n, der")ed &ro! t$e r")erboat lead!enU "gnalKS*y t$e !ar+,
twa"nTKt$at t$e water wa dee# enoug$ &or a&e #aage. H"&e on t$e r")er alo ga)e ;wa"n
!ater"al &or e)eral o& $" boo+, "nclud"ng t$e ra&t cene o& -uckle.erry *inn and t$e !ater"al
&or $" autob"ogra#$"cal Life on the !ississippi (1889).
7le!en cont"nued to wor+ on t$e r")er unt"l 18A1, w$en t$e 7")"l Dar e3#loded acro
A!er"ca and $ut down t$e ("""##" &or tra)el and $"##"ng. Alt$oug$ 7le!en 4o"ned a
7on&ederate ca)alry d")""on, $e wa no ardent 7on&ederate, and w$en $" d")""on deerted en
!ae, $e d"d too. ,e t$en !ade $" way wet w"t$ $" brot$er Or"on, wor+"ng &"rt a a "l)er
!"ner "n 5e)ada and t$en tu!bl"ng "nto $" true call"ng, 4ournal"!. 8n 18A9, 7le!en began to
"gn art"cle w"t$ t$e na!e (ar+ ;wa"n.
;$roug$out t$e late 18A0 and 1870, ;wa"nU art"cle, tor"e, !e!o"r, and no)el,
c$aracter">ed by an "rre#re"ble w"t and a de&t ear &or language and d"alect, garnered $"!
"!!ene celebr"ty. ," no)el The nnocents A.road (18A9) wa an "ntant beteller, and The
Adventures of Tom Sa+yer (187A) rece")ed e)en greater nat"onal accla"! and ce!ented ;wa"nU
#o"t"on a a g"ant "n A!er"can l"terary c"rcle. A t$e nat"on #ro#ered econo!"cally "n t$e #ot
7")"l Dar #er"odKan era t$at ca!e to be +nown a t$e ?"lded Age, an e#"t$et t$at ;wa"n co"ned
Ko too d"d ;wa"n. ," boo+ were old door%to%door, and $e beca!e wealt$y enoug$ to bu"ld a
large $oue "n ,art&ord, 7onnect"cut, &or $"!el& and $" w"&e, Ol")"a, w$o! $e $ad !arr"ed "n
1870.
;wa"n began wor+ on -uckle.erry *inn, a eCuel to Tom Sa+yer, "n an e&&ort to ca#"tal">e
on t$e #o#ular"ty o& t$e earl"er no)el. ;$" new no)el too+ on a !ore er"ou c$aracter, $owe)er,
a ;wa"n &ocued "ncrea"ngly on t$e "nt"tut"on o& la)ery and t$e =out$. ;wa"n oon et
-uckle.erry *inn a"de, #er$a# becaue "t dar+er tone d"d not &"t t$e o#t"!"t"c ent"!ent o&
t$e ?"lded Age. 8n t$e early 1880, $owe)er, t$e $o#e&ulne o& t$e #ot7")"l Dar year began
to &ade. 'econtruct"on, t$e #ol"t"cal #rogra! de"gned to re"ntegrate t$e de&eated =out$ "nto t$e
0n"on a a la)ery%&ree reg"on, began to &a"l. ;$e $ar$ !eaure t$e )"ctor"ou 5ort$ "!#oed
only e!b"ttered t$e =out$. 7oncerned about !a"nta"n"ng #ower, !any =out$ern #ol"t"c"an
began an e&&ort to control and o##re t$e blac+ !en and wo!en w$o! t$e war $ad &reed.
(eanw$"le, ;wa"nU #eronal l"&e began to colla#e. ," w"&e $ad long been "c+ly, and
t$e cou#le lot t$e"r &"rt on a&ter 4ut n"neteen !ont$. ;wa"n alo !ade a nu!ber o& #oor
"n)et!ent and &"nanc"al dec""on and, "n 1891, &ound $"!el& !"red "n deb"l"tat"ng debt. A $"
#eronal &ortune dw"ndled, $e cont"nued to de)ote $"!el& to wr"t"ng. Graw"ng &ro! $" #eronal
#l"g$t and t$e #re)alent nat"onal trouble o& t$e day, $e &"n"$ed a dra&t o& -uckle.erry *inn "n
1889, and by 1884 $ad "t ready &or #ubl"cat"on. ;$e no)el !et w"t$ great #ubl"c and cr"t"cal
accla"!.
;wa"n cont"nued to wr"te o)er t$e ne3t ten year. ,e #ubl"$ed two !ore #o#ular no)el,
A %onnecticut 9ankee in :ing Arthur1s %ourt (1889) and Pudd1nhead (ilson (1894), but went
"nto a con"derable decl"ne a&terward, ne)er aga"n #ubl"$"ng wor+ t$at !atc$ed t$e $"g$
tandard $e $ad et w"t$ -uckle.erry *inn. Peronal tragedy alo cont"nued to $ound ;wa"nE $"
&"nance re!a"ned troubleo!e, and w"t$"n t$e coure o& a &ew year, $" w"&e and two o& $"
24
daug$ter #aed away. ;wa"nU wr"t"ng &ro! t$" #er"od unt"l t$e end o& $" l"&e re&lect a
de#re"on and a ort o& r"g$teou rage at t$e "n4ut"ce o& t$e world. Ge#"te $" #eronal
trouble, $owe)er, ;wa"n cont"nued to en4oy "!!ene etee! and &a!e and cont"nued to be "n
de!and a a #ubl"c #ea+er unt"l $" deat$ "n 1910.
;$e tory o& -uckle.erry *inn, $owe)er, doe not end w"t$ t$e deat$ o& "t aut$or.
;$roug$ t$e twent"et$ century, t$e no)el $a beco!e &a!ou not !erely a t$e crown 4ewel "n
t$e wor+ o& one o& A!er"caU #ree!"nent wr"ter, but alo a a ub4ect o& "ntene contro)ery.
;$e no)el occa"onally $a been banned "n =out$ern tate becaue o& "t tead&atly cr"t"cal ta+e
on t$e =out$ and t$e $y#ocr""e o& la)ery. Ot$er $a)e d"!"ed -uckle.erry *inn a )ulgar
or rac"t becaue "t ue t$e word nigger, a ter! w$oe connotat"on obcure t$e no)elU dee#er
t$e!eKw$"c$ are uneCu")ocally ant"la)eryKand e)en #re)ent o!e &ro! read"ng and
en4oy"ng "t altoget$er. ;$e &act t$at t$e $"tor"cal conte3t "n w$"c$ ;wa"n wrote !ade $" ue o&
t$e word "n"gn"&"cantKand, "ndeed, #art o& t$e real"! $e wanted to createKo&&er l"ttle olace
to o!e !odern reader. 0lt"!ately, The Adventures of -uckle.erry *inn $a #ro)ed "gn"&"cant
not only a a no)el t$at e3#lore t$e rac"al and !oral world o& "t t"!e but alo, t$roug$ t$e
contro)er"e t$at cont"nue to urround "t, a an art"&act o& t$oe a!e !oral and rac"al ten"on
a t$ey $a)e e)ol)ed to t$e #reent day.
Plot ;-er-ie#
Autorul (ar+ ;wa"n ne #o)eteWte de#re a)entur"le unu" bM"at nM>dra)an nu!"t ;o!
=awyer. A)ea un &rate #e nu!e ="d care era un bM"at tare l"n"Wt"t. El !a" tot t"!#ul lua d"n ge!ul
!MtuW"" Polly W" e ducea L!#reunM cu #r"eten"" la gNrlM M e calde, lucrur" care L" #lMceau cel
!a" !ult.
Ontr%o >" !MtuWa Polly Ll #ue #e ;o! M )Mru"acM gardul de la tradM , ceea ce n%ul
LncNntM, lu" tNndu" gNndul nu!a" la gNrlM W" la 4oacM. 5ea)Nnd de ale el a Lnce#ut M )Mru"acM
gardul, rugNndu%l #e &ratele Mu ="d, M%l a4ute, dar el re&u>M. .""nd un bM"at deWte#t nu #rea L"
#lMcea Wcoala, "ngurul lucru cel atrMgea era #r"etena lu" *ec+y la care V"nea &oarte !ult.
Pr"etenul lu" ;o! #e nu!e ,uc+leberry ."nn era un bM"at ,,al trM>""-- &MrM #Mr"nV" cu care
LW" #etrecea !a" tot t"!#ul. Pr"!a nM>drM)Mn"e #e care au &acut%o L!#reunM a &ot )">"ta
c"!"t"rulu" #e t"!# de noa#te alatur" de o #""cM neagrM W" !oartM aduM de ,uc+leberry. 7u
aceatM #""cM e" #erau M ca#e de neg" #r"n anu!"te decNntece. A4ungNnd Ln c"!"t"r , au a)ut o
ur#r">M neaWte#tatM. ;re" "nd")">" #e nu!e 8n4un Joe, Gr. 'ob"non W" (u&& Poter care cMutau un
!or!Nnt #e care M%l de>groa#e. On tot acet t"!# ;o! L!#reuna cu ,uc+leberry tMteau acunW"
#entru a nu &" )M>uV" , cNnd deodatM Lntre ace" "nd")">" %a "cat o ceartM ur!atM de aa"narea
doctorulu" 'ob"non..""nd Lngro>"V" de ceea ce au )M>ut, ce" do" bM"eV" au &ug"t #re caM.A doua
>" d"!"neaVa oa!en"" au gM"t or"b"la cr"!M. ;oV" d"n oraW Ll Ln)"nu"au #e (u&& Poter, "ar el &""nd
aretat.
;o! L!#reunM cu ,uc+ au 4urat cM nu )or #une n"!Mnu" ceea ce au )M>ut.;o! W" ,uc+
erau &oarte Lngro>"V" . \"lele au trecut "ar lu" ;o! L" ardea de no" a)entur", aWa cM Lntr%o >"
LntNln"ndue cu Joe ,ar#er W" cu ,uc+leberry ."nn, le%a #ro#u M e &acM #"raV".Ontr%o noa#te
&"ecare a adu de !Nncare W" au #lecat L!#reunM #e o "nulM d"n a#ro#"erea orMWelulu". 7Nt t"!# e"
au tat #e "nulM oa!en"" d"n orMWel L" cMutau neLncetat. Gar aceatM cMutare a &ot Ln >adar
deoarece nu "%au gM"t. ;oV" au cre>ut cM bM"eV" au !ur"t aWa cM !atuWa Polly L!#reunM cu doa!na
,ar#er %au $otMrNt M le &acM #ro$odul du!"n"ca. On t"!# ce e o&"c"a lu4ba ce" tre" co#"" au
"ntrat #e uWa b"er"c"". ;oatM lu!ea %a bucurat, !a" ale !MtuWa Polly W" doa!na ,ar#er,care W"%
25
au L!brMV"Wat co#""" c$"ar W" #e ,uc+elberry.
Gu#M cNte)a >"le a &ot 4udecata lu" (u&& Poter. Ha 4udecatM au )en"t 8n4un Joe W" ;o!.
;o! a &ot c$e!at M de%a declaraV"e.El e u"tM la 8n4un Joe W" a Lnce#ut M%" &"e &r"cM, dar Ln &"nal a
#u tot ce a )M>ut, "ar Lntre t"!# 8n4un Joe a d"#Mrut. Ge atunc" ;o! nu !a" dor!ea l"n"Wt"t
noa#tea de &r"ca lu" 8n4un Joe.
A trecut ce)a t"!# de cNnd a &ot 4udecata lu" (u&& Poter, "ar ;o! L!#reunM cu ,uc+ au
Lnce#ut M caute co!or". ;o! era "gur cMc" co!or"le e gMec unde unt co#ac" corburoW" au
Ln caele cu ta&"".Au cMutat Ln locur"le cu co#ac" corburoW" dar nu au gM"t, "ar Ln &"nal e" au
$otMrNt M caute Lntr%o caM cu ta&"".7Nnd au Lnce#ut M caute du#M co!oarM la o caM cu ta&"", e"
au au>"t >go!ote aWa cM %au acun Ln #odul cae". 7e" care au #rodu >go!otul au &ot 8n4un
Joe L!#reunM cu un #r"ten de%al Mu.E" au )en"t Ln acea caM #entru a acunde o co!oarM.Au
)M>ut uneltele lMate de ;o! W" ,uc+ W" %au gand"t M Lngroa#e co!oara Ln altM #arte. *ec+y &ata
de care L" #lMcea lu" ;o!, a organ">at o !"cM e3cur"e. 7Nnd au !er "n e3cur"e e" au )">"tat o
#eWterM care era #recu! un lab"r"nt. ;o! W" *ec+y %au #"erdut "ar e" au tat Ln #eWterM t"!# de
douM,tre" >"le.7u toV"" L" cMutau #e *ec+y W" #e ;o!. 7Nt t"!# co#""" au tat Ln #eWterM ;o! la
)M>ut #e 8n4un Joe.Oa!en"" nu "%au gM"t dar ;o! a gM"t "eW"rea d"n #eWterM. 8eW"rea gM"tM de
;o! era #r"n a#ro#"erea &lu)"ulu" ("""#". 7u toV"" %au bucurat &oarte !ult de a#ar"V"a
co#""lor.;atMl lu" *ec+y #entru a &" "gur cM n"!en" nu )a !a" "ntra Ln #eWterM %a $otMrNt M o
Lnc$"dM. 7Nnd ;o! a au>"t cM #eWtera a &ot Lnc$"M le%a #u tuturor cM acolo e a&lM 8n4un Joe.
A#roa#e toV" oa!en" au #orn"t #re #eWterM Ln cMutarea lu", dar cNnd #eWtera a &ot dec$"M lau
gM"t #e Joe !ort la "ntrarea Ln #eWterM. ;o! W" ,uc+ %au du Ln #eWterM du#M co!oara acunM de
8n4un Joe.
AWa e" au de)en"t ce" !a" bogaV" d"n orMWel du#a ce au gM"t co!oara W" a#rec"aV" de totM
lu!ea.
The Adventures of -uckle.erry *inn o#en by &a!"l"ar">"ng u w"t$ t$e e)ent o& t$e
no)el t$at #receded "t, The Adventures of Tom Sa+yer, *ot$ no)el are et "n t$e town o& =t.
Peterburg, ("our", w$"c$ l"e on t$e ban+ o& t$e ("""##" '")er. At t$e end o& ;o!
=awyer, ,uc+leberry ."nn, a #oor boy w"t$ a drun+en bu! &or a &at$er, and $" &r"end ;o!
=awyer, a !"ddle%cla boy w"t$ an "!ag"nat"on too act")e &or $" own good, &ound a robberU
ta$ o& gold. A a reult o& $" ad)enture, ,uc+ ga"ned Cu"te a b"t o& !oney, w$"c$ t$e ban+ $eld
&or $"! "n trut. ,uc+ wa ado#ted by t$e D"dow Gougla, a +"nd but t"&l"ng wo!an w$o l")e
w"t$ $er "ter, t$e el&%r"g$teou (" Daton.
A -uckle.erry *inn o#en, ,uc+ " none too t$r"lled w"t$ $" new l"&e o& cleanl"ne,
!anner, c$urc$, and c$ool. ,owe)er, $e t"c+ "t out at t$e beCuet o& ;o! =awyer, w$o tell
$"! t$at "n order to ta+e #art "n ;o!U new SrobberU gang,T ,uc+ !ut tay Sre#ectable.T All "
well and good unt"l ,uc+U brut"$, drun+en &at$er, Pa#, rea##ear "n town and de!and ,uc+U
!oney. ;$e local 4udge, Judge ;$atc$er, and t$e D"dow try to get legal cutody o& ,uc+, but
anot$er well%"ntent"oned new 4udge "n town bel"e)e "n t$e r"g$t o& ,uc+U natural &at$er and
e)en ta+e t$e old drun+ "nto $" own $o!e "n an atte!#t to re&or! $"!. ;$" e&&ort &a"l
!"erably, and Pa# oon return to $" old way. ,e $ang around town &or e)eral !ont$,
$ara"ng $" on, w$o "n t$e !eant"!e $a learned to read and to tolerate t$e D"dowU atte!#t
to "!#ro)e $"!. ."nally, outraged w$en t$e D"dow Gougla warn $"! to tay away &ro! $er
$oue, Pa# +"dna# ,uc+ and $old $"! "n a cab"n acro t$e r")er &ro! =t. Peterburg.
D$ene)er Pa# goe out, $e loc+ ,uc+ "n t$e cab"n, and w$en $e return $o!e drun+, $e
beat t$e boy. ;"red o& $" con&"ne!ent and &ear"ng t$e beat"ng w"ll woren, ,uc+ eca#e &ro!
26
Pa# by &a+"ng $" own deat$, +"ll"ng a #"g and #read"ng "t blood all o)er t$e cab"n. ,"d"ng on
Jac+onU 8land "n t$e !"ddle o& t$e ("""##" '")er, ,uc+ watc$e t$e town#eo#le earc$
t$e r")er &or $" body. A&ter a &ew day on t$e "land, $e encounter J"!, one o& (" DatonU
la)e. J"! $a run away &ro! (" Daton a&ter $ear"ng $er tal+ about ell"ng $"! to a
#lantat"on down t$e r")er, w$ere $e would be treated $orr"bly and e#arated &ro! $" w"&e and
c$"ldren. ,uc+ and J"! tea! u#, de#"te ,uc+U uncerta"nty about t$e legal"ty or !oral"ty o&
$el#"ng a runaway la)e. D$"le t$ey ca!# out on t$e "land, a great tor! caue t$e ("""##"
to &lood. ,uc+ and J"! #y a log ra&t and a $oue &loat"ng #at t$e "land. ;$ey ca#ture t$e ra&t
and loot t$e $oue, &"nd"ng "n "t t$e body o& a !an w$o $a been $ot. J"! re&ue to let ,uc+ ee
t$e dead !anU &ace.
Alt$oug$ t$e "land " bl"&ul, ,uc+ and J"! are &orced to lea)e a&ter ,uc+ learn &ro! a
wo!an on$ore t$at $er $uband $a een !o+e co!"ng &ro! t$e "land and bel"e)e t$at J"! "
$"d"ng out t$ere. ,uc+ alo learn t$at a reward $a been o&&ered &or J"!U ca#ture. ,uc+ and J"!
tart downr")er on t$e ra&t, "ntend"ng to lea)e "t at t$e !out$ o& t$e O$"o '")er and #roceed u#
t$at r")er by tea!boat to t$e &ree tate, w$ere la)ery " #ro$"b"ted. =e)eral dayU tra)el ta+e
t$e! #at =t. Hou", and t$ey $a)e a cloe encounter w"t$ a gang o& robber on a wrec+ed
tea!boat. ;$ey !anage to eca#e w"t$ t$e robberU loot.
Gur"ng a n"g$t o& t$"c+ &og, ,uc+ and J"! !" t$e !out$ o& t$e O$"o and encounter a
grou# o& !en loo+"ng &or eca#ed la)e. ,uc+ $a a br"e& !oral cr"" about conceal"ng tolen
S#ro#ertyTKJ"!, a&ter all, belong to (" DatonKbut t$en l"e to t$e !en and tell t$e! t$at
$" &at$er " on t$e ra&t u&&er"ng &ro! !all#o3. ;err"&"ed o& t$e d"eae, t$e !en g")e ,uc+
!oney and $urry away. 0nable to bac+trac+ to t$e !out$ o& t$e O$"o, ,uc+ and J"! cont"nue
downr")er. ;$e ne3t n"g$t, a tea!boat la! "nto t$e"r ra&t, and ,uc+ and J"! are e#arated.
,uc+ end u# "n t$e $o!e o& t$e +"ndly ?ranger&ord, a &a!"ly o& =out$ern ar"tocrat
loc+ed "n a b"tter and "lly &eud w"t$ a ne"g$bor"ng clan, t$e =$e#$erdon. ;$e elo#e!ent o& a
?ranger&ord daug$ter w"t$ a =$e#$erdon on lead to a gun battle "n w$"c$ !any "n t$e &a!"l"e
are +"lled. D$"le ,uc+ " caug$t u# "n t$e &eud, J"! $ow u# w"t$ t$e re#a"red ra&t. ,uc+ $urr"e
to J"!U $"d"ng #lace, and t$ey ta+e o&& down t$e r")er.
A &ew day later, ,uc+ and J"! recue a #a"r o& !en w$o are be"ng #urued by ar!ed
band"t. ;$e !en, clearly con art"t, cla"! to be a d"#laced Engl"$ du+e (t$e du+e) and t$e
long%lot $e"r to t$e .renc$ t$rone (t$e dau#$"n). Powerle to tell two w$"te adult to lea)e,
,uc+ and J"! cont"nue down t$e r")er w"t$ t$e #a"r o& Sar"tocrat.T ;$e du+e and t$e dau#$"n
#ull e)eral ca! "n t$e !all town along t$e r")er. 7o!"ng "nto one town, t$ey $ear t$e tory
o& a !an, Peter D"l+, w$o $a recently d"ed and le&t !uc$ o& $" "n$er"tance to $" two brot$er,
w$o $ould be arr")"ng &ro! England any day. ;$e du+e and t$e dau#$"n enter t$e town
#retend"ng to be D"l+U brot$er. D"l+U t$ree n"ece welco!e t$e con !en and Cu"c+ly et
about l"Cu"dat"ng t$e etate. A &ew town#eo#le beco!e +e#t"cal, and ,uc+, w$o grow to
ad!"re t$e D"l+ "ter, dec"de to t$wart t$e ca!. ,e teal t$e dead Peter D"l+U gold &ro!
t$e du+e and t$e dau#$"n but " &orced to ta$ "t "n D"l+U co&&"n. ,uc+ t$en re)eal all to t$e
eldet D"l+ "ter, (ary Jane. ,uc+U #lan &or e3#o"ng t$e du+e and t$e dau#$"n " about to
un&old w$en D"l+U real brot$er arr")e &ro! England. ;$e angry town#eo#le $old bot$ et o&
D"l+ cla"!ant, and t$e du+e and t$e dau#$"n 4ut barely eca#e "n t$e enu"ng con&u"on.
.ortunately &or t$e "ter, t$e gold " &ound. 0n&ortunately &or ,uc+ and J"!, t$e du+e and t$e
dau#$"n !a+e "t bac+ to t$e ra&t 4ut a ,uc+ and J"! are #u$"ng o&&.
A&ter a &ew !ore !all ca!, t$e du+e and dau#$"n co!!"t t$e"r wort cr"!e yetE t$ey
ell J"! to a local &ar!er, tell"ng $"! J"! " a runaway &or w$o! a large reward " be"ng o&&ered.
,uc+ &"nd out w$ere J"! " be"ng $eld and reol)e to &ree $"!. At t$e $oue w$ere J"! " a
#r"oner, a wo!an greet ,uc+ e3c"tedly and call $"! S;o!.T A ,uc+ Cu"c+ly d"co)er, t$e
#eo#le $old"ng J"! are none ot$er t$an ;o! =awyerU aunt and uncle, ="la and =ally P$el#.
27
;$e P$el#e !"ta+e ,uc+ &or ;o!, w$o " due to arr")e &or a )""t, and ,uc+ goe along w"t$
t$e"r !"ta+e. ,e "nterce#t ;o! between t$e P$el# $oue and t$e tea!boat doc+, and ;o!
#retend to be $" own younger brot$er, ="d.
;o! $atc$e a w"ld #lan to &ree J"!, add"ng all ort o& unneceary obtacle e)en
t$oug$ J"! " only l"g$tly ecured. ,uc+ " ure ;o!U #lan w"ll get t$e! all +"lled, but $e
co!#l"e nonet$ele. A&ter a ee!"ng etern"ty o& #o"ntle #re#arat"on, dur"ng w$"c$ t$e boy
ranac+ t$e P$el#U $oue and !a+e Aunt =ally !"erable, t$ey #ut t$e #lan "nto act"on. J"! "
&reed, but a #uruer $oot ;o! "n t$e leg. ,uc+ " &orced to get a doctor, and J"! acr"&"ce $"
&reedo! to nure ;o!. All are returned to t$e P$el#U $oue, w$ere J"! end u# bac+ "n c$a"n.
D$en ;o! wa+e t$e ne3t !orn"ng, $e re)eal t$at J"! $a actually been a &ree !an all
along, a (" Daton, w$o !ade a #ro)""on "n $er w"ll to &ree J"!, d"ed two !ont$ earl"er.
;o! $ad #lanned t$e ent"re eca#e "dea all a a ga!e and $ad "ntended to #ay J"! &or $"
trouble. ;o!U Aunt Polly t$en $ow u#, "dent"&y"ng S;o!T and S="dT a ,uc+ and ;o!. J"!
tell ,uc+, w$o &ear &or $" &utureK#art"cularly t$at $" &at$er !"g$t rea##earKt$at t$e body
t$ey &ound on t$e &loat"ng $oue o&& Jac+onU 8land $ad been Pa#U. Aunt =ally t$en te# "n
and o&&er to ado#t ,uc+, but ,uc+, w$o $a $ad enoug$ S")"l">"ng,T announce $" #lan to et
out &or t$e Det.
$haracter List
Z
Huc6le0erry Finn % ;$e #rotagon"t and narrator o& t$e no)el. ,uc+ " t$e t$"rteen%year%
old on o& t$e local drun+ o& =t. Peterburg, ("our", a town on t$e ("""##" '")er.
.reCuently &orced to ur)")e on $" own w"t and alway a b"t o& an outcat, ,uc+ " t$oug$t&ul,
"ntell"gent (t$oug$ &or!ally uneducated), and w"ll"ng to co!e to $" own conclu"on about
"!#ortant !atter, e)en "& t$ee conclu"on contrad"ct oc"etyU nor!. 5e)ert$ele, ,uc+ "
t"ll a boy, and " "n&luenced by ot$er, #art"cularly by $" "!ag"nat")e &r"end, ;o!.
Tom !a#yer % ,uc+U &r"end, and t$e #rotagon"t o& Tom Sa+yer, t$e no)el to w$"c$
-uckle.erry *inn " oten"bly t$e eCuel. 8n -uckle.erry *inn, ;o! er)e a a &o"l to ,uc+E
"!ag"nat")e, do!"nat"ng, and g")en to w"ld #lan ta+en &ro! t$e #lot o& ad)enture no)el, ;o!
" e)eryt$"ng t$at ,uc+ " not. ;o!U tubborn rel"ance on t$e Saut$or"t"eT o& ro!ance no)el
lead $"! to act o& "ncred"ble tu#"d"ty and tartl"ng cruelty. ," r"g"d ad$erence to oc"etyU
con)ent"on al"gn ;o! w"t$ t$e S")"l">"ngT &orce t$at ,uc+ learn to ee t$roug$ and
gradually abandon.
2ido# .ouglas and Miss 2atson % ;wo wealt$y "ter w$o l")e toget$er "n a large
$oue "n =t. Peterburg and w$o ado#t ,uc+. ;$e gaunt and e)ere (" Daton " t$e !ot
#ro!"nent re#reentat")e o& t$e $y#ocr"t"cal rel"g"ou and et$"cal )alue ;wa"n cr"t"c">e "n t$e
no)el. ;$e D"dow Gougla " o!ew$at gentler "n $er bel"e& and $a !ore #at"ence w"t$ t$e
!"c$"e)ou ,uc+. D$en ,uc+ act "n a !anner contrary to oc"etal e3#ectat"on, "t " t$e
D"dow Gougla w$o! $e &ear d"a##o"nt"ng.
1im % One o& (" DatonU $oue$old la)e. J"! " u#ert"t"ou and occa"onally
ent"!ental, but $e " alo "ntell"gent, #ract"cal, and ult"!ately !ore o& an adult t$an anyone ele
"n t$e no)el. J"!U &reCuent act o& el&lene, $" long"ng &or $" &a!"ly, and $" &r"end$"#
w"t$ bot$ ,uc+ and ;o! de!ontrate to ,uc+ t$at $u!an"ty $a not$"ng to do w"t$ race.
*ecaue J"! " a blac+ !an and a runaway la)e, $e " at t$e !ercy o& al!ot all t$e ot$er
c$aracter "n t$e no)el and " o&ten &orced "nto r"d"culou and degrad"ng "tuat"on.
Pa( % ,uc+U &at$er, t$e town drun+ and neUer%do%well. Pa# " a wrec+ w$en $e a##ear
at t$e beg"nn"ng o& t$e no)el, w"t$ d"gut"ng, g$otl"+e w$"te +"n and tattered clot$e. ;$e
28
"ll"terate Pa# d"a##ro)e o& ,uc+U educat"on and beat $"! &reCuently. Pa# re#reent bot$ t$e
general debae!ent o& w$"te oc"ety and t$e &a"lure o& &a!"ly tructure "n t$e no)el.
The du6e and the dau(hin % A #a"r o& con !en w$o! ,uc+ and J"! recue a t$ey are
be"ng run out o& a r")er town. ;$e older !an, w$o a##ear to be about e)enty, cla"! to be t$e
Sdau#$"n,T t$e on o& F"ng Hou" ]/8 and $e"r to t$e .renc$ t$rone. ;$e younger !an, w$o "
about t$"rty, cla"! to be t$e uur#ed Gu+e o& *r"dgewater. Alt$oug$ ,uc+ Cu"c+ly real">e t$e
!en are &raud, $e and J"! re!a"n at t$e"r !ercy, a ,uc+ " only a c$"ld and J"! " a runaway
la)e. ;$e du+e and t$e dau#$"n carry out a nu!ber o& "ncrea"ngly d"turb"ng w"ndle a t$ey
tra)el down t$e r")er on t$e ra&t.
1udge Thatcher % ;$e local 4udge w$o $are re#on"b"l"ty &or ,uc+ w"t$ t$e D"dow
Gougla and " "n c$arge o& a&eguard"ng t$e !oney t$at ,uc+ and ;o! &ound at t$e end o& Tom
Sa+yer, D$en ,uc+ d"co)er t$at Pa# $a returned to town, $e w"ely "gn $" &ortune o)er to
t$e Judge, w$o doenUt really acce#t t$e !oney, but tr"e to co!&ort ,uc+. Judge ;$atc$er $a a
daug$ter, *ec+y, w$o wa ;o!U g"rl&r"end "n Tom Sa+yer and w$o! ,uc+ call S*e"eT "n t$"
no)el.
The Grangerfords % A &a!"ly t$at ta+e ,uc+ "n a&ter a tea!boat $"t $" ra&t,
e#arat"ng $"! &ro! J"!. ;$e +"nd$earted ?ranger&ord, w$o o&&er ,uc+ a #lace to tay "n t$e"r
tac+y country $o!e, are loc+ed "n a long%tand"ng &eud w"t$ anot$er local &a!"ly, t$e
=$e#$erdon. ;wa"n ue t$e two &a!"l"e to engage "n o!e roll"c+"ng $u!or and to !oc+ a
o)erly ro!ant"c">e "dea about &a!"ly $onor. 0lt"!ately, t$e &a!"l"eU enat"onal">ed &eud get
!any o& t$e! +"lled.
The 2il6s family % At one #o"nt dur"ng t$e"r tra)el, t$e du+e and t$e dau#$"n
encounter a !an w$o tell t$e! o& t$e deat$ o& a local na!ed Peter D"l+, w$o $a le&t be$"nd a
r"c$ etate. ;$e !an "nad)ertently g")e t$e con !en enoug$ "n&or!at"on to allow t$e! to
#retend to be D"l+U two brot$er &ro! England, w$o are t$e rec"#"ent o& !uc$ o& t$e
"n$er"tance. ;$e du+e and t$e dau#$"nU ubeCuent conn"ng o& t$e good%$earted and )ulnerable
D"l+ "ter " t$e &"rt te# "n t$e con !enU "ncrea"ngly cruel er"e o& ca!, w$"c$ cul!"nate
"n t$e ale o& J"!.
!ilas and !ally Phel(s % ;o! =awyerU aunt and uncle, w$o! ,uc+ co"nc"dentally
encounter "n $" earc$ &or J"! a&ter t$e con !en $a)e old $"!. =ally " t$e "ter o& ;o!U
aunt, Polly. Eent"ally good #eo#le, t$e P$el#e ne)ert$ele $old J"! "n cutody and try to
return $"! to $" r"g$t&ul owner. ="la and =ally are t$e un+now"ng )"ct"! o& !any o& ;o! and
,uc+U S#re#arat"onT a t$ey try to &ree J"!. ;$e P$el#e are t$e only "ntact and &unct"onal
&a!"ly "n t$" no)el, yet t$ey are too !uc$ &or ,uc+, w$o long to eca#e t$e"r S")"l">"ngT
"n&luence.
Aunt Polly % ;o! =awyerU aunt and guard"an and =ally P$el#U "ter. Aunt Polly
a##ear at t$e end o& t$e no)el and #ro#erly "dent"&"e ,uc+, w$o $a #retended to be ;o!, and
;o!, w$o $a #retended to be $" own younger brot$er, ="d.
Themes
;$e!e are t$e &unda!ental and o&ten un")eral "dea e3#lored "n a l"terary wor+.
'ac"! and =la)ery
Alt$oug$ ;wa"n wrote -uckle.erry *inn two decade a&ter t$e E!anc"#at"on
Procla!at"on and t$e end o& t$e 7")"l Dar, A!er"caKand e#ec"ally t$e =out$Kwa t"ll
truggl"ng w"t$ rac"! and t$e a&tere&&ect o& la)ery. *y t$e early 1880, 'econtruct"on, t$e
#lan to #ut t$e 0n"ted =tate bac+ toget$er a&ter t$e war and "ntegrate &reed la)e "nto oc"ety,
$ad $"t $a+y ground, alt$oug$ "t $ad not yet &a"led outr"g$t. A ;wa"n wor+ed on $" no)el, race
relat"on, w$"c$ ee!ed to be on a #o"t")e #at$ "n t$e year &ollow"ng t$e 7")"l Dar, once aga"n
beca!e tra"ned. ;$e "!#o"t"on o& J"! 7row law, de"gned to l"!"t t$e #ower o& blac+ "n t$e
29
=out$ "n a )ar"ety o& "nd"rect way, broug$t t$e beg"nn"ng o& a new, "n"d"ou e&&ort to o##re.
;$e new rac"! o& t$e =out$, le "nt"tut"onal">ed and !onol"t$"c, wa alo !ore d"&&"cult to
co!bat. =la)ery could be outlawed, but w$en w$"te =out$erner enacted rac"t law or #ol"c"e
under a #ro&eed !ot")e o& el&%de&ene aga"nt newly &reed blac+, &ar &ewer #eo#le, 5ort$ern
or =out$ern, aw t$e act a "!!oral and ru$ed to co!bat "t.
Alt$oug$ ;wa"n wrote t$e no)el a&ter la)ery wa abol"$ed, $e et "t e)eral decade
earl"er, w$en la)ery wa t"ll a &act o& l"&e. *ut e)en by ;wa"nU t"!e, t$"ng $ad not necear"ly
gotten !uc$ better &or blac+ "n t$e =out$. 8n t$" l"g$t, we !"g$t read ;wa"nU de#"ct"on o&
la)ery a an allegor"cal re#reentat"on o& t$e cond"t"on o& blac+ "n t$e 0n"ted =tate e)en after
t$e abol"t"on o& la)ery. Jut a la)ery #lace t$e noble and !oral J"! under t$e control o& w$"te
oc"ety, no !atter $ow degraded t$at w$"te oc"ety !ay be, o too d"d t$e "n"d"ou rac"! t$at
aroe near t$e end o& 'econtruct"on o##re blac+ !en &or "llog"cal and $y#ocr"t"cal reaon. 8n
-uckle.erry *inn, ;wa"n, by e3#o"ng t$e $y#ocr"y o& la)ery, de!ontrate $ow rac"!
d"tort t$e o##reor a !uc$ a "t doe t$oe w$o are o##reed. ;$e reult " a world o& !oral
con&u"on, "n w$"c$ ee!"ngly SgoodT w$"te #eo#le uc$ a (" Daton and =ally P$el#
e3#re no concern about t$e "n4ut"ce o& la)ery or t$e cruelty o& e#arat"ng J"! &ro! $" &a!"ly.
8ntellectual and (oral Educat"on
*y &ocu"ng on ,uc+U educat"on, -uckle.erry *inn &"t "nto t$e trad"t"on o& t$e
b"ldungro!anE a no)el de#"ct"ng an "nd")"dualU !aturat"on and de)elo#!ent. A a #oor,
uneducated boy, &or all "ntent and #ur#oe an or#$an, ,uc+ d"trut t$e !oral and #rece#t o&
t$e oc"ety t$at treat $"! a an outcat and &a"l to #rotect $"! &ro! abue. ;$" a##re$en"on
about oc"ety, and $" grow"ng relat"on$"# w"t$ J"!, lead ,uc+ to Cuet"on !any o& t$e
teac$"ng t$at $e $a rece")ed, e#ec"ally regard"ng race and la)ery. (ore t$an once, we ee
,uc+ c$ooe to Sgo to $ellT rat$er t$an go along w"t$ t$e rule and &ollow w$at $e $a been
taug$t. ,uc+ bae t$ee dec""on on $" e3#er"ence, $" own ene o& log"c, and w$at $"
de)elo#"ng conc"ence tell $"!. On t$e ra&t, away &ro! c")"l">at"on, ,uc+ " e#ec"ally &ree
&ro! oc"etyU rule, able to !a+e $" own dec""on w"t$out retr"ct"on. ;$roug$ dee#
"ntro#ect"on, $e co!e to $" own conclu"on, una&&ected by t$e acce#tedKand o&ten
$y#ocr"t"calKrule and )alue o& =out$ern culture. *y t$e no)elU end, ,uc+ $a learned to
SreadT t$e world around $"!, to d"t"ngu"$ good, bad, r"g$t, wrong, !enace, &r"end, and o on.
," !oral de)elo#!ent " $ar#ly contrated to t$e c$aracter o& ;o! =awyer, w$o " "n&luenced
by a b">arre !"3 o& ad)enture no)el and =unday%c$ool teac$"ng, w$"c$ $e co!b"ne to 4ut"&y
$" outrageou and #otent"ally $ar!&ul eca#ade.
;$e ,y#ocr"y o& S7")"l">edT =oc"ety
D$en ,uc+ #lan to $ead wet at t$e end o& t$e no)el "n order to eca#e &urt$er
S")"l">"ng,T $e " try"ng to a)o"d !ore t$an regular bat$ and !andatory c$ool attendance.
;$roug$out t$e no)el, ;wa"n de#"ct t$e oc"ety t$at urround ,uc+ a l"ttle !ore t$an a
collect"on o& degraded rule and #rece#t t$at de&y log"c. ;$" &aulty log"c a##ear early "n t$e
no)el, w$en t$e new 4udge "n town allow Pa# to +ee# cutody o& ,uc+. ;$e 4udge #r")"lege
Pa#U Sr"g$tT to $" on a $" natural &at$er o)er ,uc+U wel&are. At t$e a!e t"!e, t$" dec""on
co!!ent on a yte! t$at #ut a w$"te !anU r"g$t to $" S#ro#ertyTK$" la)eKo)er t$e
wel&are and &reedo! o& a blac+ !an. 8n "!#l"c"tly co!#ar"ng t$e #l"g$t o& la)e to t$e #l"g$t o&
,uc+ at t$e $and o& Pa#, ;wa"n "!#l"e t$at "t " "!#o"ble &or a oc"ety t$at own la)e to be
4ut, no !atter $ow Sc")"l">edT t$at oc"ety bel"e)e and #rocla"! "tel& to be. Aga"n and aga"n,
,uc+ encounter "nd")"dual w$o ee! goodK=ally P$el#, &or e3a!#leKbut w$o ;wa"n ta+e
care to $ow are #re4ud"ced la)e%owner. ;$" $a+y ene o& 4ut"ce t$at ,uc+ re#eatedly
encounter l"e at t$e $eart o& oc"etyU #roble!E terr"ble act go un#un"$ed, yet &r")olou
cr"!e, uc$ a drun+enly $out"ng "nult, lead to e3ecut"on. =$erburnU #eec$ to t$e !ob t$at
$a co!e to lync$ $"! accurately u!!ar">e t$e )"ew o& oc"ety ;wa"n g")e "n -uckle.erry
30
*innE rat$er t$an !a"nta"n collect")e wel&are, oc"ety "ntead " !ar+ed by coward"ce, a lac+ o&
log"c, and #ro&ound el&"$ne.
Motifs
(ot"& are recurr"ng tructure, contrat, and l"terary de)"ce t$at can $el# to de)elo#
and "n&or! t$e te3tU !a4or t$e!e.
7$"ld$ood
,uc+U yout$ " an "!#ortant &actor "n $" !oral educat"on o)er t$e coure o& t$e no)el,
&or we ene t$at only a c$"ld " o#en%!"nded enoug$ to undergo t$e +"nd o& de)elo#!ent t$at
,uc+ doe. ="nce ,uc+ and ;o! are young, t$e"r age lend a ene o& #lay to t$e"r act"on, w$"c$
e3cue t$e! "n certa"n way and alo dee#en t$e no)elU co!!entary on la)ery and oc"ety.
8ron"cally, ,uc+ o&ten +now better t$an t$e adult around $"!, e)en t$oug$ $e $a lac+ed t$e
gu"dance t$at a #ro#er &a!"ly and co!!un"ty $ould $a)e o&&ered $"!. ;wa"n alo &reCuently
draw l"n+ between ,uc+U yout$ and J"!U tatu a a blac+ !anE bot$ are )ulnerable, yet
,uc+, becaue $e " w$"te, $a #ower o)er J"!. And on a d"&&erent le)el, t$e "ll"ne, #ure 4oy,
and na^)etQ o& c$"ld$ood g")e -uckle.erry *inn a ene o& &un and $u!or. ;$oug$ "t t$e!e are
Cu"te we"g$ty, t$e no)el "tel& &eel l"g$t "n tone and " an en4oyable read becaue o& t$"
ra!bunct"ou c$"ld$ood e3c"te!ent t$at enl")en t$e tory.
H"e and 7on
-uckle.erry *inn " &ull o& !al"c"ou l"e and ca!, !any o& t$e! co!"ng &ro! t$e
du+e and t$e dau#$"n. 8t " clear t$at t$ee con !enU l"e are bad, &or t$ey $urt a nu!ber o&
"nnocent #eo#le. 6et ,uc+ $"!el& tell a nu!ber o& l"e and e)en con a &ew #eo#le, !ot
notably t$e la)e%$unter, to w$o! $e !a+e u# a tory about a !all#o3 outbrea+ "n order to
#rotect J"!. A ,uc+ real">e, "t ee! t$at tell"ng a l"e can actually be a good t$"ng, de#end"ng
on "t #ur#oe. ;$" "n"g$t " #art o& ,uc+U learn"ng #roce, a $e &"nd t$at o!e o& t$e rule
$e $a been taug$t contrad"ct w$at ee! to be Sr"g$t.T At ot$er #o"nt, t$e l"ne between a con,
leg"t"!ate enterta"n!ent, and a##ro)ed oc"al tructure l"+e rel"g"on are &"ne "ndeed. 8n t$"
l"g$t, l"e and con #ro)"de an e&&ect")e way &or ;wa"n to $"g$l"g$t t$e !oral a!b"gu"ty t$at run
t$roug$ t$e no)el.
=u#ert"t"on and .ol+ *el"e&
.ro! t$e t"!e ,uc+ !eet $"! on Jac+onU 8land unt"l t$e end o& t$e no)el, J"! #out
a w"de range o& u#ert"t"on and &ol+tale. D$erea J"! "n"t"ally a##ear &ool"$ to bel"e)e o
unwa)er"ngly "n t$ee +"nd o& "gn and o!en, "t turn out, cur"ouly, t$at !any o& $" bel"e&
do "ndeed $a)e o!e ba" "n real"ty or #reage e)ent to co!e. (uc$ a we do, ,uc+ at &"rt
d"!"e !ot o& J"!U u#ert"t"on a "lly, but ult"!ately $e co!e to a##rec"ate J"!U dee#
+nowledge o& t$e world. 8n t$" ene, J"!U u#ert"t"on er)e a an alternat")e to acce#ted
oc"al teac$"ng and au!#t"on and #ro)"de a re!"nder t$at !a"ntrea! con)ent"on are not
alway r"g$t.
Parod"e o& Po#ular 'o!ance 5o)el
-uckle.erry *inn " &ull o& #eo#le w$o bae t$e"r l")e on ro!ant"c l"terary !odel and
tereoty#e o& )ar"ou +"nd. ;o! =awyer, t$e !ot ob)"ou e3a!#le, bae $" l"&e and act"on
on ad)enture no)el. ;$e deceaed E!!el"ne ?ranger&ord #a"nted wee#y !a"den and wrote
#oe! about dead c$"ldren "n t$e ro!ant"c tyle. ;$e =$e#$erdon and ?ranger&ord &a!"l"e +"ll
one anot$er out o& a b">arre, o)ere3c"ted conce#t"on o& &a!"ly $onor. ;$ee c$aracterU
#rocl")"t"e toward t$e ro!ant"c allow ;wa"n a &ew o##ortun"t"e to "ndulge "n o!e &un, and
"ndeed, t$e e#"ode t$at deal w"t$ t$" ub4ect are a!ong t$e &unn"et "n t$e no)el. ,owe)er,
t$ere " a !ore ubtant")e !eage beneat$E t$at #o#ular l"terature " $"g$ly tyl">ed and
t$ere&ore rarely re&lect t$e real"ty o& a oc"ety. ;wa"n $ow $ow a tr"ct ad$erence to t$ee
ro!ant"c "deal " ult"!ately dangerouE ;o! " $ot, E!!el"ne d"e, and t$e =$e#$erdon and
?ranger&ord end u# "n a deadly cla$.
31
Symbols
=y!bol are ob4ect, c$aracter, &"gure, and color ued to re#reent abtract "dea or
conce#t.
;$e ("""##" '")er
.or ,uc+ and J"!, t$e ("""##" '")er " t$e ult"!ate y!bol o& &reedo!. Alone on
t$e"r ra&t, t$ey do not $a)e to anwer to anyone. ;$e r")er carr"e t$e! toward &reedo!E &or J"!,
toward t$e &ree tate< &or ,uc+, away &ro! $" abu")e &at$er and t$e retr"ct")e S")"l">"ngT o&
=t. Peterburg. (uc$ l"+e t$e r")er "tel&, ,uc+ and J"! are "n &lu3, w"ll"ng to c$ange t$e"r
att"tude about eac$ ot$er w"t$ l"ttle #ro!#t"ng. Ge#"te t$e"r &reedo!, $owe)er, t$ey oon &"nd
t$at t$ey are not co!#letely &ree &ro! t$e e)"l and "n&luence o& t$e town on t$e r")erU ban+.
E)en early on, t$e real world "ntrude on t$e #arad"e o& t$e ra&tE t$e r")er &lood, br"ng"ng ,uc+
and J"! "nto contact w"t$ cr"!"nal, wrec+, and tolen good. ;$en, a t$"c+ &og caue t$e! to
!" t$e !out$ o& t$e O$"o '")er, w$"c$ wa to be t$e"r route to &reedo!.
A t$e no)el #rogree, t$en, t$e r")er beco!e o!et$"ng ot$er t$an t$e "n$erently
bene)olent #lace ,uc+ or"g"nally t$oug$t "t wa. A ,uc+ and J"! !o)e &urt$er out$, t$e du+e
and t$e dau#$"n "n)ade t$e ra&t, and ,uc+ and J"! !ut #end !ore t"!e a$ore. ;$oug$ t$e
r")er cont"nue to o&&er a re&uge &ro! trouble, "t o&ten !erely e&&ect t$e e3c$ange o& one bad
"tuat"on &or anot$er. Eac$ eca#e e3"t "n t$e larger conte3t o& a cont"nual dr"&t out$ward,
toward t$e Gee# =out$ and entrenc$ed la)ery. 8n t$" tran"t"on &ro! "dyll"c retreat to ource o&
#er"l, t$e r")er !"rror t$e co!#l"cated tate o& t$e =out$. A ,uc+ and J"!U 4ourney #rogree,
t$e r")er, w$"c$ once ee!ed a #arad"e and a ource o& &reedo!, beco!e !erely a $ort%ter!
!ean o& eca#e t$at nonet$ele #u$e ,uc+ and J"! e)er &urt$er toward danger and
detruct"on.
32
< The ;ld Man and the !ea
Ernest Heming#ay
$onte%t
Ernet ,e!"ngway wa born "n Oa+ Par+, 8ll"no", "n 1899, t$e on o& a doctor and a
!u"c teac$er. ,e began $" wr"t"ng career a a re#orter &or t$e Fana 7"ty Star, At age e"g$teen,
$e )olunteered to er)e a a 'ed 7ro a!bulance dr")er "n Dorld Dar 8 and wa ent to 8taly,
w$ere $e wa badly "n4ured by $ra#nel. ,e!"ngway later &"ct"onal">ed $" e3#er"ence "n 8taly "n
w$at o!e con"der $" greatet no)el, A *are+ell to Arms, 8n 1911, ,e!"ngway !o)ed to Par",
w$ere $e er)ed a a corre#ondent &or t$e ;oronto 6aily Star, 8n Par", $e &ell "n w"t$ a grou# o&
A!er"can and Engl"$ e3#atr"ate wr"ter t$at "ncluded .. =cott ."t>gerald, E>ra Pound, ?ertrude
=te"n, and .ord (ado3 .ord. 8n t$e early 1910, ,e!"ngway began to ac$"e)e &a!e a a
c$ron"cler o& t$e d"a&&ect"on &elt by !any A!er"can yout$ a&ter Dorld Dar 8Ka generat"on o&
yout$ w$o! =te"n !e!orably dubbed t$e SHot ?enerat"on.T ," no)el The Sun Also /ises
(191A) and A *are+ell to Arms (1919) etabl"$ed $"! a a do!"nant l"terary )o"ce o& $" t"!e.
," #are, c$arged tyle o& wr"t"ng wa re)olut"onary at t$e t"!e and would be "!"tated, &or
better or &or wore, by generat"on o& young wr"ter to co!e.
A&ter lea)"ng Par", ,e!"ngway wrote on bull&"g$t"ng, #ubl"$ed $ort tor"e and
art"cle, co)ered t$e =#an"$ 7")"l Dar a a 4ournal"t, and #ubl"$ed $" bet%ell"ng no)el, *or
(hom the "ell Tolls (1940). ;$ee #"ece $el#ed ,e!"ngway bu"ld u# t$e !yt$"c breed o&
!acul"n"ty &or w$"c$ $e w"$ed to be +nown. ," wor+ and $" l"&e re)ol)ed around b"g%ga!e
$unt"ng, &"$"ng, bo3"ng, and bull&"g$t"ng, endea)or t$at $e tr"ed to !ater a er"ouly a $e d"d
wr"t"ng. 8n t$e 1990, ,e!"ngway l")ed "n Fey Det, .lor"da, and later "n 7uba, and $" year o&
e3#er"ence &"$"ng t$e ?ul& =trea! and t$e 7ar"bbean #ro)"ded an eent"al bac+ground &or t$e
)")"d decr"#t"on o& t$e &"$er!anU cra&t "n The Old !an and the Sea, 8n 199A, $e wrote a #"ece
&or )s8uire about a 7uban &"$er!an w$o wa dragged out to ea by a great !arl"n, a ga!e &"$
t$at ty#"cally we"g$ $undred o& #ound. =$ar+ $ad detroyed t$e &"$er!anU catc$ by t$e
t"!e $e wa &ound $al&%del"r"ou by ot$er &"$er!en. ;$" tory ee! an ob)"ou eed &or t$e
tale o& =ant"ago "n The Old !an and the Sea,
A great &an o& baeball, ,e!"ngway l"+ed to tal+ "n t$e #ortU l"ngo, and by 19:1, $e
badly Sneeded a w"n.T ," no)el Across the /iver and nto the Trees, #ubl"$ed "n 19:0, wa a
d"ater. 8t wa $" &"rt no)el "n ten year, and $e $ad cla"!ed to &r"end t$at "t wa $" bet yet.
7r"t"c, $owe)er, d"agreed and called t$e wor+ t$e wort t$"ng ,e!"ngway $ad e)er wr"tten.
(any reader cla"!ed "t read l"+e a #arody o& ,e!"ngway. ;$e control and #rec""on o& $"
earl"er #roe ee!ed to be lot beyond reco)ery.
;$e $uge ucce o& The Old !an and the Sea, #ubl"$ed "n 19:1, wa a !uc$%needed
)"nd"cat"on. ;$e no)ella won t$e 19:9 Pul"t>er Pr">e &or ."ct"on, and "t l"+ely c"nc$ed t$e 5obel
Pr">e &or ,e!"ngway "n 19:4, a "t wa c"ted &or #art"cular recogn"t"on by t$e 5obel Acade!y. 8t
wa t$e lat no)el #ubl"$ed "n $" l"&et"!e.
Alt$oug$ t$e no)ella $el#ed to regenerate ,e!"ngwayU w"lt"ng career, "t $a "nce been
!et by d")"ded cr"t"cal o#"n"on. D$"le o!e cr"t"c $a)e #ra"ed The Old !an and the Sea a a
33
new cla"c t$at ta+e "t #lace a!ong uc$ etabl"$ed A!er"can wor+ a D"ll"a! .aul+nerU
$ort tory S;$e *earT and ,er!an (el)"lleU !o.y36ick, ot$er $a)e attac+ed t$e tory a
S"!"tat"on ,e!"ngwayT and &"nd &ault w"t$ t$e aut$orU de#arture &ro! t$e unco!#ro!""ng
real"! w"t$ w$"c$ $e !ade $" na!e.
*ecaue ,e!"ngway wa a wr"ter w$o alway rel"ed $ea)"ly on autob"ogra#$"cal
ource, o!e cr"t"c, not ur#r""ngly, e)entually dec"ded t$at t$e no)ella er)ed a a t$"nly
)e"led attac+ u#on t$e!. Accord"ng to t$" read"ng, ,e!"ngway wa t$e old !ater at t$e end o&
$" career be"ng torn a#art byKbut ult"!ately tr"u!#$"ng o)erKcr"t"c on a &eed"ng &ren>y. *ut
t$" read"ng ult"!ately reduce The Old !an and the Sea to l"ttle !ore t$an an act o& l"terary
re)enge. ;$e !ore co!#ell"ng "nter#retat"on aert t$at t$e no)ella " a #arable about l"&e "tel&,
"n #art"cular !anU truggle &or tr"u!#$ "n a world t$at ee! de"gned to detroy $"!.
Ge#"te t$e oberly l"&e%a&&"r!"ng tone o& t$e no)ella, ,e!"ngway wa, at t$e end o& $"
l"&e, !ore and !ore #rone to deb"l"tat"ng bout o& de#re"on. ,e co!!"tted u"c"de "n 19A1 "n
Fetc$u!, 8da$o.
Plot O)er)"ew
AceatM nu)elM (con"deratM de un"" cr"t"c" un curt ro!an), ult"!a o#erM cu ade)Mrat
"!#ortantM a lu" ,e!"ngway, re#re>"ntM Lncununarea crea "e" cr""torulu" atNt #r"n enur"le e"
#ro&und u!ane, cNt " #r"n !Mre "a obrM a !"4loacelor de e3#re"e.
*MtrNnul =ant"ago, #ecar Mrac d"ntr%un at de #e coata 7ube", e #regMte te M "aM d"n
nou "n larg, la #ecu"t, du#M a#roa#e tre" lun" de trudM >adarn"cM. 7"t"torul ete "ntrodu d"rect "n
ub"ectE
S="ngur Lntr%o barcM #ecu"a bMtrNnul #e ?ul&%=trea! " trecuerM o#t>ec" " #atru de >"le
&MrM M%" cadM )reun #e te. 8n #r"!ele #atru>ec" de >"le L" "nue to)Mra "e un bM"at. Gar cNnd %a
L!#l"n"t orocul aceta " #e te tot n%au #r"n #Mr"n "" "%au #u bM"atulu", &MrM doar " #oate,
bMtrNnul e un alao, ad"cM un o! !a" ocol"t de noroc n"c" cM e !a" a&la ", la #orunca lor, bM"atul
a trecut #e altM barcM ce d"n #r"!a M#tM!NnM a #r"n tre" #e t" !ar".T
8n cea de%a o#t>ec" " c"ncea >" e #r"nde "n und" a bMtrNnulu" un !arl"n, un #e te #adM
ur"a . GouM >"le " douM no# " durea>M lu#ta LndNr4"tM d"ntre o! " #e te care trage barca du#M el
Ln larg. On &Nr "t rM#u, !arl"nul ete #rea !are ca M #oatM &" r"d"cat la bord " =ant"ago Ll leagM
de barcM lMNndu%l Ln a#M, dar, #e dru!ul de Lntoarcere, rec$"n"" Ll de)orea>M cu toatM L!#otr")"rea
d"#eratM a batranulu", care re)"ne la tar! e#u">at " aducand cu el doar c$eletul #e telu".
AceatM #o)et"re a#arent "!#lM re#re>"ntM "n real"tate o ade)aratM #arabolM a cond" "e" u!ane, a
"n)"nc"b"l"ta "" o!ulu". .""nd #ecar, =ant"ago nu e3erc"tM o #ro&e"une oarecare, c" Lnde#l"ne te
un det"n, un dat tot atNt de "ne)"tab"l ca " acela de a &" o! E SPoate cM n%ar &" trebu"t M &"u
#ecarJ 8l trM&ulgerM un gNnd. Gar #entru ata a! &ot &acut.T
Hu#ta cu #e tele "!bol">ea>M bMtMl"a o!ulu" cu e3"ten a, Lncordare urdM ( ca atunc"
cNnd bMtrNnul trNnge Ln !N"n"le rMn"te &rNng$"a de care trage d"n rM#uter" ur"a ul )en"t d"n
adNncur"), Ln&runtarea #e &a M (ca la uc"derea !arl"nulu" au la lu#ta cu rec$"n""), "ar rarele
!o!ente de det"ndere Lnea!nM !a" ale e&ort cot"d"an, bucur"a, )"ctor"a " !Mre "a Ln&rNnger"".
8!#ulul Ll cont"tu"e cN t"garea tra"ulu" de >" cu >", dar lu#ta a4unge M e!n"&"ce, d"ncolo de
at"&acerea nece"ta "lor !ater"ale, dor"n a o!ulu" de a% " a&"r!a #ro#r"a )aloare, ca 4ut"&"care a
e3"ten e". Gar bucur"a a&"r!Mr"", a tr"u!&ulu" ete re#ede ur!atM de #"erderea a ceea ce a &ot
dobNnd"t cu trudM " u&er"n M E SEra #rea &ru!o ca M dM"nu"eT ete gNndul bMtrNnulu" la atacul
rec$"n"lor. 8ar cNnd L " #une "ngur "ntrebareaE S " ce te%a Ln&rNntIT, rM#unul eteE S5"!"c. @...B
A! "e "t #rea Ln largJT, #ecarul a#arNndu%ne at&el Lncr" Lntr%un !"t al LndrM>nel"" " e!e "e"
o!ulu", care Lnce#e cu 8car, #rabu "t &""ndcM e a#ro#"ae #rea !ult de oare.
34
7a " la ero"" traged""lor ant"ce, !are "a bMtrNnulu" contM Ln au!area cura4oaM a
e eculu", Ln de#M "rea lu" #r"n #Mtrarea de!n"ta "" u!ane. ="!bolul c$eletulu" ur"a cu care
#ecarul e Lntoarce acaM e o#une "!bolulu" !a"!u e" albe d"n S7o!ed"a !odernaT a lu"
?alwort$y. GacM aceta d"n ur!M e!n"&"cM bla>area une" lu!" u#er&"c"ale, care gutM &MrM e&ort
!"e>ul &ructulu" (ad"cM #lMcer"le u oare ale )"e "") " L" aruncM ne#MMtoare coa4a, c$eletul
#e telu" "!bol">ea>Ma Ln !od een "al">at )"ctor"a !oralM a o!ulu", at"&ac "a #e care "%o da nu
cat"gul "n "ne, c" cont""nta &a#tulu" ca "%a Ln)"nger"" #ro#r""lor lMb"c"un", ca "%a de#M "t
#ro#r""le l"!"te. .or a " !Mre "a o!ulu" contau Ln &a#tul cM, #"er>Nnd o bMtMl"e, nu e laM
Ln&rNnt, c" e #regate te de alta. S*atranul " !areaT e "nc$e"e cu #lanur"le de )""tor #e care " le
&ac =ant"ago " bM"atul. Gecura4area de !o!ent a bMtrNnulu" &ace tre#tat loc unu" o#t"!"!
e3#r"!at #r"n #ro"ecte concrete, a#arent !arunte, dar care, #r"n Lnu " acet &a#t, dau en>a "a
re)en"r"" la )"a M.
The Old !an and the Sea " t$e tory o& an e#"c truggle between an old, eaoned
&"$er!an and t$e greatet catc$ o& $" l"&e. .or e"g$ty%&our day, =ant"ago, an aged 7uban
&"$er!an, $a et out to ea and returned e!#ty%$anded. =o con#"cuouly unluc+y " $e t$at t$e
#arent o& $" young, de)oted a##rent"ce and &r"end, (anol"n, $a)e &orced t$e boy to lea)e t$e
old !an "n order to &"$ "n a !ore #ro#erou boat. 5e)ert$ele, t$e boy cont"nue to care &or
t$e old !an u#on $" return eac$ n"g$t. ,e $el# t$e old !an tote $" gear to $" ra!$ac+le $ut,
ecure &ood &or $"!, and d"cue t$e latet de)elo#!ent "n A!er"can baeball, e#ec"ally t$e
tr"al o& t$e old !anU $ero, Joe G"(agg"o. =ant"ago " con&"dent t$at $" un#roduct")e trea+
w"ll oon co!e to an end, and $e reol)e to a"l out &art$er t$an uual t$e &ollow"ng day.
On t$e e"g$ty%&"&t$ day o& $" unluc+y trea+, =ant"ago doe a #ro!"ed, a"l"ng $" +"&&
&ar beyond t$e "landU $allow coatal water and )entur"ng "nto t$e ?ul& =trea!. ,e #re#are
$" l"ne and dro# t$e!. At noon, a b"g &"$, w$"c$ $e +now " a !arl"n, ta+e t$e ba"t t$at
=ant"ago $a #laced one $undred &at$o! dee# "n t$e water. ;$e old !an e3#ertly $oo+ t$e
&"$, but $e cannot #ull "t "n. 8ntead, t$e &"$ beg"n to #ull t$e boat.
0nable to t"e t$e l"ne &at to t$e boat &or &ear t$e &"$ would na# a taut l"ne, t$e old !an
bear t$e tra"n o& t$e l"ne w"t$ $" $oulder, bac+, and $and, ready to g")e lac+ $ould t$e
!arl"n !a+e a run. ;$e &"$ #ull t$e boat all t$roug$ t$e day, t$roug$ t$e n"g$t, t$roug$ anot$er
day, and t$roug$ anot$er n"g$t. 8t w"! tead"ly nort$wet unt"l at lat "t t"re and w"! eat
w"t$ t$e current. ;$e ent"re t"!e, =ant"ago endure contant #a"n &ro! t$e &"$"ng l"ne. D$ene)er
t$e &"$ lunge, lea#, or !a+e a da$ &or &reedo!, t$e cord cut =ant"ago badly. Alt$oug$
wounded and weary, t$e old !an &eel a dee# e!#at$y and ad!"rat"on &or t$e !arl"n, $" brot$er
"n u&&er"ng, trengt$, and reol)e.
On t$e t$"rd day t$e &"$ t"re, and =ant"ago, lee#%de#r")ed, ac$"ng, and nearly del"r"ou,
!anage to #ull t$e !arl"n "n cloe enoug$ to +"ll "t w"t$ a $ar#oon t$rut. Gead be"de t$e +"&&,
t$e !arl"n " t$e larget =ant"ago $a e)er een. ,e la$e "t to $" boat, ra"e t$e !all !at,
and et a"l &or $o!e. D$"le =ant"ago " e3c"ted by t$e #r"ce t$at t$e !arl"n w"ll br"ng at !ar+et,
$e " !ore concerned t$at t$e #eo#le w$o w"ll eat t$e &"$ are unwort$y o& "t greatne.
A =ant"ago a"l on w"t$ t$e &"$, t$e !arl"nU blood lea)e a tra"l "n t$e water and
attract $ar+. ;$e &"rt to attac+ " a great !a+o $ar+, w$"c$ =ant"ago !anage to lay w"t$ t$e
$ar#oon. 8n t$e truggle, t$e old !an loe t$e $ar#oon and lengt$ o& )aluable ro#e, w$"c$
lea)e $"! )ulnerable to ot$er $ar+ attac+. ;$e old !an &"g$t o&& t$e ucce")e )"c"ou
#redator a bet $e can, tabb"ng at t$e! w"t$ a crude #ear $e !a+e by la$"ng a +n"&e to an
oar, and e)en clubb"ng t$e! w"t$ t$e boatU t"ller. Alt$oug$ $e +"ll e)eral $ar+, !ore and
!ore a##ear, and by t$e t"!e n"g$t &all, =ant"agoU cont"nued &"g$t aga"nt t$e ca)enger "
uele. ;$ey de)our t$e !arl"nU #rec"ou !eat, lea)"ng only +eleton, $ead, and ta"l. =ant"ago
35
c$at"e $"!el& &or go"ng Sout too &ar,T and &or acr"&"c"ng $" great and wort$y o##onent. ,e
arr")e $o!e be&ore daybrea+, tu!ble bac+ to $" $ac+, and lee# )ery dee#ly.
;$e ne3t !orn"ng, a crowd o& a!a>ed &"$er!en gat$er around t$e +eletal carca o&
t$e &"$, w$"c$ " t"ll la$ed to t$e boat. Fnow"ng not$"ng o& t$e old !anU truggle, tour"t at a
nearby ca&Q ober)e t$e re!a"n o& t$e g"ant !arl"n and !"ta+e "t &or a $ar+. (anol"n, w$o $a
been worr"ed "c+ o)er t$e old !anU abence, " !o)ed to tear w$en $e &"nd =ant"ago a&e "n
$" bed. ;$e boy &etc$e t$e old !an o!e co&&ee and t$e da"ly #a#er w"t$ t$e baeball core,
and watc$e $"! lee#. D$en t$e old !an wa+e, t$e two agree to &"$ a #artner once !ore.
;$e old !an return to lee# and drea! $" uual drea! o& l"on at #lay on t$e beac$e o&
A&r"ca.
7$aracter H"t
!antiago % ;$e old !an o& t$e no)ellaU t"tle, =ant"ago " a 7uban &"$er!an w$o $a
$ad an e3tended run o& bad luc+. Ge#"te $" e3#ert"e, $e $a been unable to catc$ a &"$ &or
e"g$ty%&our day. ,e " $u!ble, yet e3$"b"t a 4ut"&"ed #r"de "n $" ab"l"t"e. ," +nowledge o&
t$e ea and "t creature, and o& $" cra&t, " un#aralleled and $el# $"! #reer)e a ene o& $o#e
regardle o& c"rcu!tance. ;$roug$out $" l"&e, =ant"ago $a been #reented w"t$ contet to tet
$" trengt$ and endurance. ;$e !arl"n w"t$ w$"c$ $e truggle &or t$ree day re#reent $"
greatet c$allenge. Parado3"cally, alt$oug$ =ant"ago ult"!ately loe t$e &"$, t$e !arl"n " alo
$" greatet )"ctory.
The marlin % =ant"ago $oo+ t$e !arl"n, w$"c$ we learn at t$e end o& t$e no)ella
!eaure e"g$teen &eet, on t$e &"rt a&ternoon o& $" &"$"ng e3#ed"t"on. *ecaue o& t$e !arl"nU
great ">e, =ant"ago " unable to #ull t$e &"$ "n, and t$e two beco!e engaged "n a +"nd o& tug%o&%
war t$at o&ten ee! !ore l"+e an all"ance t$an a truggle. ;$e &"$"ng l"ne er)e a a y!bol o&
t$e &raternal connect"on =ant"ago &eel w"t$ t$e &"$. D$en t$e ca#tured !arl"n " later detroyed
by $ar+, =ant"ago &eel detroyed a well. H"+e =ant"ago, t$e !arl"n " "!#l"c"tly co!#ared to
7$r"t.
Manolin % A boy #reu!ably "n $" adolecence, (anol"n " =ant"agoU a##rent"ce and
de)oted attendant. ;$e old !an &"rt too+ $"! out on a boat w$en $e wa !erely &")e year old.
Gue to =ant"agoU recent bad luc+, (anol"nU #arent $a)e &orced t$e boy to go out on a d"&&erent
&"$"ng boat. (anol"n, $owe)er, t"ll care dee#ly &or t$e old !an, to w$o! $e cont"nue to loo+
a a !entor. ," lo)e &or =ant"ago " un!"ta+able a t$e two d"cu baeball and a t$e young
boy recru"t $el# &ro! )"llager to "!#ro)e t$e old !anU "!#o)er"$ed cond"t"on.
1oe .iMaggio % Alt$oug$ G"(agg"o ne)er a##ear "n t$e no)el, $e #lay a "gn"&"cant
role nonet$ele. =ant"ago wor$"# $"! a a !odel o& trengt$ and co!!"t!ent, and $"
t$oug$t turn toward G"(agg"o w$ene)er $e need to reaure $"!el& o& $" own trengt$.
Ge#"te a #a"n&ul bone #ur t$at !"g$t $a)e cr"##led anot$er #layer, G"(agg"o went on to ecure
a tr"u!#$ant career. ,e wa a center &"elder &or t$e 5ew 6or+ 6an+ee &ro! 199A to 19:1, and "
o&ten con"dered t$e bet all%around #layer e)er at t$at #o"t"on.
Perico % Per"co, t$e reader au!e, own t$e bodega "n =ant"agoU )"llage. ,e ne)er
a##ear "n t$e no)el, but $e er)e an "!#ortant role "n t$e &"$er!anU l"&e by #ro)"d"ng $"!
w"t$ new#a#er t$at re#ort t$e baeball core. ;$" act etabl"$e $"! a a +"nd !an w$o $el#
t$e ag"ng =ant"ago.
Martin % H"+e Per"co, (art"n, a ca&Q owner "n =ant"agoU )"llage, doe not a##ear "n t$e
tory. ;$e reader learn o& $"! t$roug$ (anol"n, w$o o&ten goe to (art"n &or =ant"agoU u##er.
A t$e old !an ay, (art"n " a !an o& &reCuent +"ndne w$o deer)e to be re#a"d.
36
Themes
;$e!e are t$e &unda!ental and o&ten un")eral "dea e3#lored "n a l"terary wor+.
;$e ,onor "n =truggle, Ge&eat _ Geat$
.ro! t$e )ery &"rt #aragra#$, =ant"ago " c$aracter">ed a o!eone truggl"ng aga"nt
de&eat. ,e $a gone e"g$ty%&our day w"t$out catc$"ng a &"$K$e w"ll oon #a $" own record
o& e"g$ty%e)en day. Al!ot a a re!"nder o& =ant"agoU truggle, t$e a"l o& $" +"&& ree!ble
St$e &lag o& #er!anent de&eat.T *ut t$e old !an re&ue de&eat at e)ery turnE $e reol)e to a"l
out beyond t$e ot$er &"$er!en to w$ere t$e b"gget &"$ #ro!"e to be. ,e land t$e !arl"n,
ty"ng $" record o& e"g$ty%e)en day a&ter a brutal t$ree%day &"g$t, and $e cont"nue to ward o&&
$ar+ &ro! teal"ng $" #rey, e)en t$oug$ $e +now t$e battle " uele.
*ecaue =ant"ago " #"tted aga"nt t$e creature o& t$e ea, o!e reader c$ooe to )"ew
t$e tale a a c$ron"cle o& !anU battle against t$e natural world, but t$e no)ella ", !ore
accurately, t$e tory o& !anU #lace +ithin nature. *ot$ =ant"ago and t$e !arl"n d"#lay Cual"t"e
o& #r"de, $onor, and bra)ery, and bot$ are ub4ect to t$e a!e eternal lawE t$ey !ut +"ll or be
+"lled. A =ant"ago re&lect w$en $e watc$e t$e weary warbler &ly toward $ore, w$ere "t w"ll
"ne)"tably !eet t$e $aw+, t$e world " &"lled w"t$ #redator, and no l")"ng t$"ng can eca#e t$e
"ne)"table truggle t$at w"ll lead to "t deat$. =ant"ago l")e accord"ng to $" own ober)at"onE
S!an " not !ade &or de&eat . . . @aB !an can be detroyed but not de&eated.T 8n ,e!"ngwayU
#ortra"t o& t$e world, deat$ " "ne)"table, but t$e bet !en (and an"!al) w"ll nonet$ele re&ue
to g")e "n to "t #ower. Accord"ngly, !an and &"$ w"ll truggle to t$e deat$, 4ut a $ungry $ar+
w"ll lay wate to an old !anU tro#$y catc$.
;$e no)el ugget t$at "t " #o"ble to trancend t$" natural law. 8n &act, t$e )ery
"ne)"tab"l"ty o& detruct"on create t$e ter! t$at allow a wort$y !an or beat to trancend "t. 8t "
#rec"ely t$roug$ t$e e&&ort to battle t$e "ne)"table t$at a !an can #ro)e $"!el&. 8ndeed, a !an
can #ro)e t$" deter!"nat"on o)er and o)er t$roug$ t$e wort$"ne o& t$e o##onent $e c$ooe
to &ace. =ant"ago &"nd t$e !arl"n wort$y o& a &"g$t, 4ut a $e once &ound St$e great negro o&
7"en&uegoT wort$y. ," ad!"rat"on &or t$ee o##onent br"ng lo)e and re#ect "nto an eCuat"on
w"t$ deat$, a t$e"r detruct"on beco!e a #o"nt o& $onor and bra)ery t$at con&"r! =ant"agoU
$ero"c Cual"t"e. One !"g$t c$aracter">e t$e eCuat"on a t$e wor+"ng out o& t$e tate!ent
S*ecaue 8 lo)e you, 8 $a)e to +"ll you.T Alternately, one !"g$t draw a #arallel to t$e #oet Jo$n
Feat and $" "n"tence t$at beauty can only be co!#re$ended "n t$e !o!ent be&ore deat$, a
beauty bow to detruct"on. =ant"ago, t$oug$ detroyed at t$e end o& t$e no)ella, " ne)er
de&eated. 8ntead, $e e!erge a a $ero. =ant"agoU truggle doe not enable $"! to c$ange !anU
#lace "n t$e world. 'at$er, "t enable $"! to !eet $" !ot d"gn"&"ed det"ny.
Pr"de a t$e =ource o& ?reatne _ Geter!"nat"on
(any #arallel e3"t between =ant"ago and t$e cla"c $eroe o& t$e anc"ent world. 8n
add"t"on to e3$"b"t"ng terr"&"c trengt$, bra)ery, and !oral certa"nty, t$oe $eroe uually #oe
a trag"c &lawKa Cual"ty t$at, t$oug$ ad!"rable, lead to t$e"r e)entual down&all. 8& #r"de "
=ant"agoU &atal &law, $e " +eenly aware o& "t. A&ter $ar+ $a)e detroyed t$e !arl"n, t$e old
!an a#olog">e aga"n and aga"n to $" wort$y o##onent. ,e $a ru"ned t$e! bot$, $e concede,
by a"l"ng beyond t$e uual boundar"e o& &"$er!en. 8ndeed, $" lat word on t$e ub4ect co!e
w$en $e a+ $"!el& t$e reaon &or $" undo"ng and dec"de, S5ot$"ng . . . 8 went out too &ar.T
D$"le "t " certa"nly true t$at =ant"agoU e"g$ty%&our%day run o& bad luc+ " an a&&ront to
$" #r"de a a !ater&ul &"$er!an, and t$at $" atte!#t to bear out $" +"ll by a"l"ng &ar "nto t$e
gul& water lead to d"ater, ,e!"ngway doe not conde!n $" #rotagon"t &or be"ng &ull o&
#r"de. On t$e contrary, =ant"ago tand a #roo& t$at #r"de !ot")ate !en to greatne. *ecaue
t$e old !an ac+nowledge t$at $e +"lled t$e !"g$ty !arl"n largely out o& #r"de, and becaue $"
ca#ture o& t$e !arl"n lead "n turn to $" $ero"c trancendence o& de&eat, #r"de beco!e t$e
37
ource o& =ant"agoU greatet trengt$. D"t$out a &eroc"ou ene o& #r"de, t$at battle would ne)er
$a)e been &oug$t, or !ore l"+ely, "t would $a)e been abandoned be&ore t$e end.
=ant"agoU #r"de alo !ot")ate $" de"re to trancend t$e detruct")e &orce o& nature.
;$roug$out t$e no)el, no !atter $ow bale&ul $" c"rcu!tance beco!e, t$e old !an e3$"b"t an
un&lagg"ng deter!"nat"on to catc$ t$e !arl"n and br"ng "t to $ore. D$en t$e &"rt $ar+ arr")e,
=ant"agoU reol)e " !ent"oned tw"ce "n t$e #ace o& 4ut a &ew #aragra#$. ."rt we are told t$at
t$e old !an Swa &ull o& reolut"on but $e $ad l"ttle $o#e.T ;$en, entence later, t$e narrator
ay, S,e $"t @t$e $ar+B w"t$out $o#e but w"t$ reolut"on.T ;$e old !an !eet e)ery c$allenge
w"t$ t$e a!e unwa)er"ng deter!"nat"onE $e " w"ll"ng to d"e "n order to br"ng "n t$e !arl"n, and
$e " w"ll"ng to d"e "n order to battle t$e &eed"ng $ar+. 8t " t$" conc"ou dec""on to act, to
&"g$t, to ne)er g")e u# t$at enable =ant"ago to a)o"d de&eat. Alt$oug$ $e return to ,a)ana
w"t$out t$e tro#$y o& $" long battle, $e return w"t$ t$e +nowledge t$at $e $a acCu"tted $"!el&
#roudly and !an&ully. ,e!"ngway ee! to ugget t$at )"ctory " not a #rereCu""te &or $onor.
8ntead, glory de#end u#on one $a)"ng t$e #r"de to ee a truggle t$roug$ to "t end, regardle
o& t$e outco!e. E)en "& t$e old !an $ad returned w"t$ t$e !arl"n "ntact, $" !o!ent o& glory,
l"+e t$e !arl"nU !eat, would $a)e been $ort%l")ed. ;$e glory and $onor =ant"ago accrue
co!e not &ro! $" battle "tel& but &ro! $" #r"de and deter!"nat"on to &"g$t.
Motifs
(ot"& are recurr"ng tructure, contrat, and l"terary de)"ce t$at can $el# to de)elo#
and "n&or! t$e te3tU !a4or t$e!e.
7ruc"&"3"on 8!agery
8n order to ugget t$e #ro&und"ty o& t$e old !anU acr"&"ce and t$e glory t$at der")e
&ro! "t, ,e!"ngway #ur#oe&ully l"+en =ant"ago to 7$r"t, w$o, accord"ng to 7$r"t"an
t$eology, ga)e $" l"&e &or t$e greater glory o& $u!an+"nd. 7ruc"&"3"on "!agery " t$e !ot
not"ceable way "n w$"c$ ,e!"ngway create t$e y!bol"c #arallel between =ant"ago and 7$r"t.
D$en =ant"agoU #al! are &"rt cut by $" &"$"ng l"ne, t$e reader cannot $el# but t$"n+ o& 7$r"t
u&&er"ng $" t"g!ata. Hater, w$en t$e $ar+ arr")e, ,e!"ngway #ortray t$e old !an a a
cruc"&"ed !artyr, ay"ng t$at $e !a+e a no"e "!"lar to t$at o& a !an $a)"ng na"l dr")en
t$roug$ $" $and. .urt$er!ore, t$e "!age o& t$e old !an truggl"ng u# t$e $"ll w"t$ $" !at
acro $" $oulder recall 7$r"tU !arc$ toward 7al)ary. E)en t$e #o"t"on "n w$"c$ =ant"ago
colla#e on $" bedK&ace down w"t$ $" ar! out tra"g$t and t$e #al! o& $" $and u#K
br"ng to !"nd t$e "!age o& 7$r"t u&&er"ng on t$e cro. ,e!"ngway e!#loy t$ee "!age "n
t$e &"nal #age o& t$e no)ella "n order to l"n+ =ant"ago to 7$r"t, w$o e3e!#l"&"ed trancendence
by turn"ng lo "nto ga"n, de&eat "nto tr"u!#$, and e)en deat$ "nto renewed l"&e.
H"&e &ro! Geat$
Geat$ " t$e una)o"dable &orce "n t$e no)ella, t$e one &act t$at no l")"ng creature can
eca#e. *ut deat$, ,e!"ngway ugget, " ne)er an end "n "tel&E "n deat$ t$ere " alway t$e
#o"b"l"ty o& t$e !ot )"gorou l"&e. ;$e reader note t$at a =ant"ago lay t$e !arl"n, not only
" t$e old !an re"n)"gorated by t$e battle, but t$e &"$ alo co!e al")e Sw"t$ $" deat$ "n $"!.T
H"&e, t$e #o"b"l"ty o& renewal, necear"ly &ollow on t$e $eel o& deat$.
D$erea t$e !arl"nU deat$ $"nt at a ty#e o& #$y"cal rean"!at"on, deat$ lead to l"&e "n
le l"teral way at ot$er #o"nt "n t$e no)ella. ;$e boo+U cruc"&"3"on "!agery e!#$a">e t$e
cycl"cal connect"on between l"&e and deat$, a doe =ant"agoU battle w"t$ t$e !arl"n. ," ucce
at br"ng"ng t$e !arl"n "n earn $"! t$e awed re#ect o& t$e &"$er!en w$o once !oc+ed $"!, and
ecure $"! t$e co!#an"on$"# o& (anol"n, t$e a##rent"ce w$o w"ll carry on =ant"agoU
teac$"ng long a&ter t$e old !an $a d"ed.
;$e H"on on t$e *eac$
=ant"ago drea! $" #leaant drea! o& t$e l"on at #lay on t$e beac$e o& A&r"ca t$ree
t"!e. ;$e &"rt t"!e " t$e n"g$t be&ore $e de#art on $" t$ree%day &"$"ng e3#ed"t"on, t$e econd
38
occur w$en $e lee# on t$e boat &or a &ew $our "n t$e !"ddle o& $" truggle w"t$ t$e !arl"n,
and t$e t$"rd ta+e #lace at t$e )ery end o& t$e boo+. 8n &act, t$e ober #ro!"e o& t$e tr"u!#$
and regenerat"on w"t$ w$"c$ t$e no)ella cloe " u##orted by t$e &"nal "!age o& t$e l"on.
*ecaue =ant"ago aoc"ate t$e l"on w"t$ $" yout$, t$e drea! ugget t$e c"rcular nature o&
l"&e. Add"t"onally, becaue =ant"ago "!ag"ne t$e l"on, &"erce #redator, #lay"ng, $" drea!
ugget a $ar!ony between t$e o##o"ng &orceKl"&e and deat$, lo)e and $ate, detruct"on and
regenerat"onKo& nature.
Symbols
=y!bol are ob4ect, c$aracter, &"gure, and color ued to re#reent abtract "dea or
conce#t.
;$e (arl"n
(agn"&"cent and glor"ou, t$e !arl"n y!bol">e t$e "deal o##onent. 8n a world "n w$"c$
Se)eryt$"ng +"ll e)eryt$"ng ele "n o!e way,T =ant"ago &eel genu"nely luc+y to &"nd $"!el&
!atc$ed aga"nt a creature t$at br"ng out t$e bet "n $"!E $" trengt$, courage, lo)e, and
re#ect.
;$e =$o)el%5oed =$ar+
;$e $o)el%noed $ar+ are l"ttle !ore t$an !o)"ng a##et"te t$at t$oug$tlely and
gracelely attac+ t$e !arl"n. A o##onent o& t$e old !an, t$ey tand "n bold contrat to t$e
!arl"n, w$"c$ " wort$y o& =ant"agoU e&&ort and trengt$. ;$ey y!bol">e and e!body t$e
detruct")e law o& t$e un")ere and attet to t$e &act t$at t$oe law can be trancended only
w$en eCual &"g$t to t$e deat$. *ecaue t$ey are bae #redator, =ant"ago w"n no glory &ro!
battl"ng t$e!.
The short ha((y life of Francis Macom0er
!yno(sis
.ranc" (aco!ber and $" w"&e (argaret (uually re&erred to a 2(argot2), are on a b"g%
ga!e a&ar" "n A&r"ca, gu"ded by #ro&e"onal $unter 'obert D"lon. Earl"er, .ranc" $ad
#an"c+ed w$en a wounded l"on c$arged $"!. (argot !oc+ (aco!ber &or t$" act o& coward"ce,
and "t " "!#l"ed t$at $e lee# w"t$ D"lon.
;$e ne3t day t$e #arty $unt bu&&alo. (aco!ber and D"lon $unt toget$er and $oot t$ree
bu&&alo. ;wo o& t$e bu&&alo are +"lled, but t$e &"rt " only wounded and retreat "nto t$e bu$.
(aco!ber now &eel con&"dent, and $e and D"lon #roceed to trac+ t$e wounded an"!al,
#arallel"ng t$e c"rcu!tance o& t$e #re)"ou day- l"on $unt.
D$en t$ey &"nd t$e bu&&alo, "t c$arge (aco!ber. Alt$oug$ $e tand $" ground and
&"re at "t, $" $ot are too $"g$. D"lon &"re at t$e beat a well, but "t +ee# c$arg"ng.
(aco!ber +"ll t$e bu&&alo at t$e lat econd. At t$e a!e t"!e, (argot &"re a $ot &ro! t$e car,
w$"c$ "ntead $"t (aco!ber "n t$e +ull and +"ll $"!. (argot &all to t$e ground and wee#.
Major themes
;$e eence o& 2;$e =$ort ,a##y H"&e o& .ranc" (aco!ber2 " courage. D"lon $a
courage but (aco!ber, w$o " a&ra"d o& l"on, $a none. D$en t$e cowardly $uband, w$oe
w"&e !ade $er way &ro! D"lon- tent $our be&ore, &"nd t$e courage to &ace t$e c$arg"ng
bu&&alo.
@1B
$e &orge t$e "dent"ty $e wantE t$e courage to &ace bot$ w"ld an"!al and $" w"&e.
@9B
;rag"cally, (aco!ber- $a##"ne " !eaured "n $our, and "ndeed e)en "n !"nute.
@1B@9B
,e!"ngway b"ogra#$er 7arlo *a+er cla"! t$at (aco!ber loe $" &ear a t$e bu&&alo c$arge,
and t$e lo o& &ear u$er (aco!ber "nto !an$ood, w$"c$ (argot "ntantly +"ll.
@1B
*a+er bel"e)e D"lon y!bol">e t$e !an &ree o& wo!an (becaue $e re&ue to allow
(argot to do!"nate $"!) or o& &ear< t$e !an (aco!ber w"$e to be.
@1B
D"lon undertand, a
$e blat t$e l"on dead, t$at (argot " a wo!an w$o need to be do!"nated.
@1B
Je&&rey (eyer
con"der (argot (aco!ber to be t$e )"lla"n o& t$e tory.
@4B
=$e c$aracter"e 2a #redatory (rat$er
39
t$an a #a")e) &e!ale w$o " bot$ betrayer and !urderer2< and $e e!#$a">e t$e connect"on
between 2$oot"ng and e3.2
@4B
.ranc" (aco!ber $a l")ed !ot o& $" adult l"&e under t$e !an"#ulat")e and
do!"neer"ng "n&luence o& (argot. ,e cannot br"ng $"!el& to &ace $er and aert $" leader$"# "n
t$e"r !arr"age, allow"ng $er to te# all o)er $"!. ;$e te3t "!#l"e t$at t$e a&&a"r w"t$ D"lon "
not t$e &"rt t"!e (argot $a c$eated on $er $uband. (aco!ber, &lee"ng &ro! t$e l"on, "
un"!#re")e w$en co!#ared w"t$ D"lon, t$e eaoned $unter and a&ar"%)eteran, cool and
collected "n t$e &ace o& danger.
;$e lo o& (aco!berU !an$ood "n t$e encounter w"t$ t$e l"on !"rror t$e blow $e
ta+e w$en (argot blatantly c$eat on $"!. ;$" a##ear to be t$e lat traw, #u$"ng $"! o)er
t$e edge. (aco!ber tranlate $" &ury "nto t$e "nten"ty o& t$e $unt. ,e e3#er"ence r""ng
con&"dence and bra)ery dur"ng t$e $unt, a $e ee+ to ta+e bac+ t$e !an$ood $e $a lot, or
#er$a# ne)er $ad.
;$" tran&or!at"on " $"g$l"g$ted by )ar"ou y!bol. ;$e tory o#en w"t$ (aco!ber-
o&&er"ng t$e grou# Sl"!e 4u"ce or le!on Cua$2. *ut at t$e end o& t$e bu&&alo $unt, $e and
D"lon toat t$e"r ucce "n w$"+ey. (aco!ber $a #rogreed &ro! a t"!"d rabb"t dr"n+"ng
4u"ce, to a $unter, down"ng !ore !acul"ne $ard l"Cuor.
@:B
,e!"ngway alo e!#loy an"!al to carry t$e y!bol"! o& 2;$e =$ort ,a##y H"&e2.
(aco!ber " re&erenced a a rabb"t e)eral t"!e, and one o& $" +"ll " decr"bed a one o& St$e
b"g cowy t$"ng t$at 4u!# l"+e $are2. ," conCuet are gentle an"!al, ea"ly &r"g$tened. 8n
contrat, (argot " decr"bed a S#redatory2, l"+e a l"on. ;$e co!#ar"on to (aco!berU
coward"ce dur"ng t$e $unt " clearE (aco!ber t$e rabb"t run &ro! $" w"&e, a l"on. ;$e ga"n"ng
o& courage "n)ol)e (aco!ber- &eel"ng $ot rage, an e3#er"ence aoc"ated w"t$ t$e l"on. ."nally,
(aco!ber l"e dead, !"rror"ng t$e #oture o& t$e bu&&alo $e $a $ot. D"lon co!#l"!ent t$e
dead creature a a S$ell o& a good bull2, "!#ly"ng t$at (aco!ber " &"nally wort$y o& re#ect by
r"g$t o& t$e beat $e $a conCuered.
@AB
(argot " d"turbed by (aco!berU uddenly ga"ned con&"dence and aert"on o& $"
!an$ood, &eel"ng $er #o"t"on o& do!"nance t$reatened.
@1B
," e3$"larat"on a&ter t$e bu&&alo $unt
unner)e $er. *ut w"t$ (aco!berU tran"t"on &ro! boy to !an co!e deat$. ,e!"ngway o&&er
$" #er#ect")e on $a##"ne $ereE $owe)er br"e&, e)en a !o!ent o& con&"dent $a##"ne "
enoug$ to !a+e oneU l"&e wort$w$"le.
@7B
8t " no co"nc"dence t$at (argot " t$e one w$o +"ll $"!. ;$ere " an unreol)ed debate
a to w$et$er $e !urdered (aco!ber or acc"dentally +"lled $"!. 8& $e #ur#oe&ully $oot $"!,
$e $a #reer)ed $er do!"nance "n t$e relat"on$"# and enure t$at $e w"ll +ee# $" wealt$
(#reu!ably t$e only reaon t$ey !arr"ed "n t$e &"rt #lace).
8& t$e $ot " acc"dental, t$e !o!ent actually beco!e Cu"te tender, a well a trag"c. =$e
$a 4ut ober)ed $er $uband beco!e a !an, and e)en t$oug$ $e &ear $ow t$e"r relat"on$"#
w"ll c$ange, $e " uddenly "n)"gorated w"t$ energy to tart a&re$. (argaret #"c+ u# t$e gun to
de&end $er $uband, try"ng to a)e $"! "n t$e &ace o& danger. .or once "n t$e"r l")e, $uband and
w"&e are bot$ on t$e a!e "de, $oot"ng at t$e a!e bull. 8t " trag"cally "ron"c, o& coure, a $e
+"ll t$e !an $e " try"ng to a)e, but uc$ " ,e!"ngwayU co!!entary on l"&e. ;$e good t$"ng
we ga"n are t$e weetet, and t$e !ot $ort%l")ed.
A t$"rd "nter#retat"on o& (argotU $ot " t$at $e " try"ng to rega"n do!"nance o)er $er
$uband by +"ll"ng t$e bull $erel&. 8& t$" " t$e cae, $e w"n bac+ $er #ower, but "ron"cally, $e
detroy t$e t$"ng $e " try"ng to control. ;$e bullet acco!#l"$e e3actly w$at $e wa try"ng to
a)o"d.
@8B
+ece(tion
40
2;$e =$ort ,a##y H"&e o& .ranc" (aco!ber2 $a been accla"!ed a one o&
,e!"ngway- !ot ucce&ul art"t"c ac$"e)e!ent.
@9B
;$" " largely due to t$e a!b"guou
co!#le3"ty o& "t c$aracter and t$e"r !ot")at"on, and t$e debate t$" a!b"gu"ty $a generated.
8n t$e et"!at"on o& cr"t"c Fennet$ ?. Jo$nton, 2t$e #re)a"l"ng cr"t"cal )"ew " t$at $e
del"beratelyKor at bet, -acc"dentally on #ur#oe-K!urdered $"!2,
@10B
but t$ere are !any,
"nclud"ng Jo$nton $"!el&, w$o $old t$e o##o"te )"ew.
,e!"ngway c$olar 7arlo *a+er call (argot (aco!ber 2ea"ly t$e !ot uncru#ulou
o& ,e!"ngway- &"ct"onal &e!ale2< a wo!an 2w$o " really and l"terally deadly2 and w$o
2co)et $er $uband- !oney but )alue e)en !ore $er #ower o)er $"!.2
@11B
H"terary cr"t"c and
early !entor to ,e!"ngway Ed!und D"lon ober)ed bluntly, S;$e !en "n `t$ee A&r"can
tor"e are !arr"ed to A!er"can b"tc$e o& t$e !ot oul%detroy"ng ort.T
@11B
Ot$er aut$or w$o
$old "!"lar )"ew regard"ng (argot "nclude P$"l"# 6oung, Hel"e A. ."edler and .ran+ O-7onnor
(ee below).
A related #o"nt t$at $a been w"dely debated " w$et$er ,e!"ngway "ntended t$e reader
to )"ew 'obert D"lon a a $ero"c &"gure, e!body"ng ,e!"ngway- "deal o& t$e courageou,
$y#er%!acul"ne !ale. 7r"t"c w$o argue &or (argot- "nnocence are e#ec"ally l"+ely to Cuet"on
t$" #o"t")e )"ew o& D"lon. 8t " t$roug$ D"lon- word t$at (argot- "ntent"on are Cuet"oned,
notably w$en $e a+ a&ter t$e $oot"ng 2D$y d"dn-t you #o"on $"!I ;$at- w$at t$ey do "n
England.2 8& D"lon " "ntended to be t$e tory- )o"ce o& !oral"ty, t$en t$" "!#l"ed accuat"on "
da!n"ng. *ut "& D"lon " a le%#er&ect c$aracter $"!el&, t$en $" 4udg!ent o& (argot "
u#ect. =o!e cr"t"c $a)e noted t$at D"lon c$ae down t$e bu&&alo "n a car, )"olat"ng t$e law
and #er$a# alo ,e!"ngway- code o& &a"rne "n $unt"ng. Fennet$ ?. Jo$nton argue t$at
D"lon 2$a !uc$ to ga"n by !a+"ng (r. (aco!ber bel"e)e t$at t$e deat$ o& $er $uband could
be contrued a !urder,2
@10B
"nce $e could loe $" l"cene "& (argot accurately decr"bed
D"lon- ue o& t$e car "n t$e bu&&alo $unt.
= A0salom3 A0salom>
2illiam Faul6ner
$onte%t
D"ll"a! .aul+ner wa born "n 5ew Albany, ("""##", "n =e#te!ber 1897< $e d"ed "n
("""##" "n 19A1. .aul+ner ac$"e)ed a re#utat"on a one o& t$e greatet A!er"can no)el"t o&
t$e 10t$ century largely baed on $" er"e o& no)el about a &"ct"onal reg"on o& ("""##"
called 6o+na#ataw#$a 7ounty, centered on t$e &"ct"onal town o& Je&&eron. ;$e greatet o& t$ee
no)elKa!ong t$e! The Sound and the *ury, Light in August, and A.salom, A.salom;Kran+
a!ong t$e &"net no)el o& world l"terature.
.aul+ner wa e#ec"ally "ntereted "n !oral t$e!e relat"ng to t$e ru"n o& t$e Gee# =out$
"n t$e #ot%7")"l Dar era. ," #roe tyleKw$"c$ co!b"ne long, un"nterru#ted entence w"t$
long tr"ng o& ad4ect")e, &reCuent c$ange "n narrat"on, !any recur")e a"de, and a &reCuent
rel"ance on a ort o& ob4ect")e trea!%o&% conc"oune tec$n"Cue, w$ereby t$e "nner e3#er"ence
o& a c$aracter "n a cene " contrated w"t$ t$e cene- outward a##earanceKran+ a!ong $"
greatet ac$"e)e!ent. ,e wa awarded t$e 5obel Pr">e &or H"terature "n 1949.
A.salom, A.salom; " #er$a# .aul+ner- !ot &ocued atte!#t to e3#oe t$e !oral cr"e
w$"c$ led to t$e detruct"on o& t$e =out$. ;$e tory o& a !an $ell%bent on etabl"$"ng a dynaty
and a tory o& lo)e and $atred between race and &a!"l"e, "t " alo an e3#lorat"on o& $ow #eo#le
relate to t$e #at. .aul+er tell a "ngle tory &ro! a nu!ber o& #er#ect")e, ca#tur"ng t$e
41
con&l"ct, rac"!, )"olence, and acr"&"ce "n eac$ c$aracter- l"&e, and alo de!ontrat"ng $ow t$e
$u!an !"nd recontruct t$e #at "n t$e #reent "!ag"nat"on.
!ummary
8tor""tM de c"nc" or",Lntre 189: W" 1910 (Ln !o!entele de rMga>, cNnd =ut#en e od"$neWte
Lntre curele de $M"tu"re, L!#reunM cu un gru# de cla)", a ar$"tectulu" &rance> &ug"t), aceata ete
#o)etea e)oluV"e" de la VMran la &er!"er a lu" ;$o!a =ut#en, a #lantaV"e" ale (X=utaT) W" a lu"
*on, #re>u!t")ul Mu &"u W" al une" negree a cMru" recunoaWtere ar Lne!na #rMbuW"rea lu" =ut#en.

=#aV""le albe W" contrad"cV""le naraV"un"" !ult"#le r"d"cM LntrebMr" e#"te!olog"ce de#re
cu! a4unge! M Wt"! ceea ce Wt"! Ln c$et"un" de "tor"e. Gar, cu! Ln A.salom, A.salom;,
LntrebMr"le e nac Ln conte3tul une" #roble!e cu #ec"&"c reg"onal % cea a negr"lor neacce#taV" de
alb", raM care #r"n !uncM "ln"cM dM ubtanVM &eVe", #"el"", e3ulu" W" #M!Nntulu" clae" albe
#ro#r"etare %, acetea unt re&or!ulate. X7"ne ce Wt"e W" cu! de Wt"eIT de)"ne X7u! de, Wt""nd cM
&aVa, #"elea, e3ul W" #M!Nntul lor unt &Mcute #r"n !unca a&ro%a!er"canM (bunul d"n bunur"le lor),
#ot M nege ceea ce Wt"uIT

'M#unul lu" .aul+ner #are M &"e cM a recunoaWte ceea ce Wt"u (a%l recunoaWte #e *on
dre#t &"u, Ln ca>ul lu" =ut#en) ar Lne!na M Lncete>e M &"e ceea ce unt. (MreV"a acetu" ro!an,
una d"ntre cele !a" "!#ortante o#ere !odern"te, contM Ln &a#tul cM .aul+ner LW" #une ae!enea
LntrebMr" de ne"!ag"nat de#re trM!oW"" M", Lntr%o e#ocM Ln care reg"unea a natalM LncM de#"ndea
de truda negr"lor, legaV" de !oW"" nu #r"n cla)"e, c" #r"n tra"ul de !unc"tor" >"l"er".

8n 1899, a w"ld, "!#o"ng !an na!ed ;$o!a =ut#en co!e to Je&&eron, ("""##",
w"t$ a grou# o& la)e and a .renc$ arc$"tect "n tow. ,e buy a $undred Cuare !"le o& land
&ro! an 8nd"an tr"be, ra"e a !anor $oue, #lant cotton, and !arr"e t$e daug$ter o& a local
!erc$ant, and w"t$"n a &ew year " entrenc$ed a!ong t$e local ar"tocracy. =ut#en $a a on and
a daug$ter, ,enry and Jud"t$, w$o grow u# "n a l"&e o& uncult")ated eae "n t$e nort$ern
("""##" country"de. ,enry goe to college at t$e 0n")er"ty o& ("""##" "n 18:9, and
!eet a o#$"t"cated &ellow tudent na!ed 7$arle *on, w$o! $e be&r"end and br"ng $o!e
&or 7$r"t!a. 7$arle !eet Jud"t$, and o)er t"!e, an engage!ent between t$e! " au!ed.
*ut =ut#en real">e t$at *on " actually $" own onK,enry and Jud"t$- $al&%brot$erK&ro! a
#re)"ou !arr"age w$"c$ $e abandoned w$en $e d"co)ered t$at $" w"&e $ad negro blood. ,e
tell ,enry t$at t$e engage!ent cannot be, and t$at *on " ,enry- own brot$er< ,enry react
w"t$ outrage, re&u"ng to bel"e)e t$at *on +new all along and w"ll"ngly beca!e engaged to $"
own "ter. ,enry re#ud"ate $" b"rt$r"g$t, and $e and *on &lee to 5ew Orlean. D$en war
brea+ out, t$ey enl"t, and #end &our $ard year &"g$t"ng &or t$e 7on&ederacy a t$e =out$
cru!ble around t$e!. At t$e end o& t$e war, =ut#en (a colonel) &"nd $" on and re)eal to $"!
t$at not only " *on $" and Jud"t$- $al&%brot$er, $e " alo, "n #art, a blac+ !an.
;$at +nowledge !a+e ,enry re)olt aga"nt *on "n a way t$at e)en t$e "dea o& "ncet d"d
not, and on t$e day *on arr")e to !arry Jud"t$, ,enry !urder $"! "n &ront o& t$e gate o& t$e
=ut#en #lantat"on. =ut#en return to a bro+en $oue, and beco!e a bro+enKt$oug$ t"ll
&orce&ulK!an< $e l"de lowly "nto alco$ol"!, beg"n an a&&a"r w"t$ a &"&teen%year%old w$"te
g"rl na!ed ("lly, and cont"nue "n t$at )e"n unt"l, &ollow"ng t$e b"rt$ o& $" and ("lly- daug$ter,
$e " !urdered by ("lly- grand&at$er Da$ Jone "n 18A9.
Gecade later, "n 1909, [uent"n 7o!#on " a twenty%year%old !an, t$e grandon o&
=ut#en- &"rt &r"end "n t$e country (?eneral 7o!#on), w$o " #re#ar"ng to lea)e Je&&eron to
attend ,ar)ard. ,e " u!!oned by (" 'oa 7old&"eld, t$e "ter o& =ut#en- w"&e Ellen (and
42
br"e&ly =ut#en- &"ancee $erel&), to $ear t$e tory o& $ow =ut#en detroyed $er &a!"ly and $"
own. O)er t$e &ollow"ng wee+ and !ont$, [uent"n " drawn dee#er and dee#er "nto t$e =ut#en
tory, d"cu"ng "t w"t$ $" &at$er, t$"n+"ng about "t, and later tell"ng "t "n deta"l to $" ,ar)ard
roo!!ate =$re)e. ;$e tory " burned "nto $" bra"n t$e n"g$t $e goe w"t$ (" 'oa to t$e
=ut#en #lantat"on, w$ere t$ey &"nd ,enry =ut#enK now an old !anKwa"t"ng to d"e. (ont$
later, 'oa atte!#t to return &or ,enry w"t$ an a!bulance, but 7lyt"e, ;$o!a =ut#en-
daug$ter w"t$ a la)e wo!an and now a w"t$ered old wo!an $erel&, et &"re to t$e !anor
$oue, +"ll"ng $erel& and ,enry, and br"ng"ng t$e =ut#en dynaty to a &"ery end.
$haracters
Thomas !ut(en % Owner and &ounder o& t$e #lantat"on =ut#en- ,undred, "n
6o+na#ataw#$a 7ounty, near Je&&eron, ("""##". (arr"ed to Ellen 7old&"eld< &at$er o& ,enry,
Jud"t$, and 7lyte!netra =ut#en, alo o& 7$arle *on. An "ndo!"table, w"ll&ul, #ower&ul !an,
w$o ac$"e)e $" end t$roug$ $rewdne and dar"ng, but w$o lac+ co!#a"on. (urdered by
Da$ Jone "n 18A9.
$harles /on % =on o& ;$o!a =ut#en and Eulal"a *on, t$e #art% blac+ daug$ter o& t$e
owner o& t$e ,a"t"an #lantat"on on w$"c$ t$e young ;$o!a =ut#en wa o)ereer. A&ter =ut#en
renounced $" w"&e and on u#on learn"ng o& Eulal"a- negro blood, *on and $" !ot$er !o)ed to
5ew Orlean, w$ere *on l")ed unt"l dec"d"ng to attend t$e 0n")er"ty o& ("""##" "n 18:9. A
lacon"c, o#$"t"cated, and "ron"cal young !an.
Ellen $oldfield !ut(en % ;$o!a =ut#en- econd w"&e, !ot$er o& ,enry and Jud"t$
=ut#en. A &l"g$ty and e3c"table wo!an.
+osa $oldfield % Ellen 7old&"eldU !uc$%younger "ter, younger aunt o& ,enry and
Jud"t$ =ut#en. *r"e&ly engaged to ;$o!a =ut#en &ollow"ng Ellen- deat$, but le&t $"! a&ter $e
"nulted $er. =#ent t$e ret o& $er l"&e a a b"tter #"nter, obeed w"t$ $er anger and $atred o&
;$o!a =ut#en.
Mr $oldfield % A !"ddle%cla (et$od"t !erc$ant and &at$er o& Ellen and 'oa.
Henry !ut(en % ;$o!a =ut#en- on w"t$ Ellen. ?rew u# on =ut#en- ,undred, t$en
attended t$e 0n")er"ty o& ("""##" beg"nn"ng "n 18:9. ;$ere $e be&r"ended 7$arle *on,
w$o! $e later !urdered. A well% !ean"ng and ro!ant"c young !an, w"t$ $" &at$er- trengt$ o&
#ur#oe but lac+"ng $" &at$er- $rewdne.
1udith !ut(en % ;$o!a =ut#en- daug$ter w"t$ Ellen. ?rew u# on =ut#en- ,undred,
w$ere $e wa engaged to 7$arle *on "n 18A0. =trong, "ndo!"table, and, l"+e $er &at$er, w"&t to
act"on.
$lytemnestra !ut(en ?@$lytie@A % Gaug$ter o& ;$o!a =ut#en and a la)e wo!an.
?rew u# on =ut#en- ,undred a uber)"ent to Jud"t$ and ,enry< re!a"ned at t$e #lantat"on
unt"l burn"ng t$e !anor $oue down "n 1910, an e)ent w$"c$ caued $er deat$.
2ash 1ones % A low%cla Cuatter l")"ng "n t$e abandoned &"$"ng ca!# at =ut#en-
,undred. Per&or!ed odd 4ob &or and dr"n+ w$"+ey w"t$ ;$o!a =ut#en. ("lly- grand&at$er<
!urdered =ut#en w"t$ a ruted cyt$e "n 18A9.
Milly 1ones % Da$ Jone- young granddaug$ter, w$o at &"&teen ga)e b"rt$ to ;$o!a
=ut#en- c$"ld. (urdered, along w"t$ =ut#en and t$e baby, by $er grand&at$er $ortly a&ter t$e
b"rt$.
$harles Etienne de !t Balery /on % =on o& 7$arle *on and $" octoroon !"tre%
w"&e. ;a+en by 7lyt"e to =ut#en- ,undred "n 1871. (arr"ed a negro wo!an "n 1879. A
tor!ented, )"olent !an.
43
1im /ond % =on o& 7$arle Et"enne de =t. /alery *on and $" negro w"&e. 'a"ed by
7lyt"e on =ut#en- ,undred, &ro! w$"c$ $e d"a##ear &ollow"ng t$e &"re "n 1910. A lac+%4awed,
oa&"$ !an.
8uentin $om(son % A young !an &ro! Je&&eron, ("""##", w$o " #re#ar"ng to
attend (and later doe attend) ,ar)ard "n t$e &"rt #art o& t$e 10t$ century.
General $om(son % [uent"n- grand&at$er and ;$o!a =ut#en- &"rt &r"end "n
6o+na#ataw#$a 7ounty. A *r"gad"er ?eneral &or t$e 7on&ederacy dur"ng t$e 7")"l Dar, and a
d"t"ngu"$ed c"t">en o& Je&&eron, ("""##".
Mr $om(son % [uent"n- &at$er and ?eneral 7o!#on- on, a !an w$o bel"e)e "n t$e
#ower o& &ate to detroy $u!an l")e. 'elay to [uent"n !any o& t$e tor"e $e $eard &ro! $"
&at$er about ;$o!a =ut#en.
!hre-e % [uent"n- roo!!ate at ,ar)ard, a young !an &ro! Ed!onton "n Alberta,
7anada.
The !ound and the Fury
2illiam Faul6ner
$onte%t
D"ll"a! .aul+ner wa born "n 1897 "n 5ew Albany, ("""##", to a #ro!"nent =out$ern
&a!"ly. A nu!ber o& $" ancetor were "n)ol)ed "n t$e (e3"can%A!er"can Dar, t$e 7")"l Dar,
and t$e 'econtruct"on, and were #art o& t$e local ra"lroad "ndutry and #ol"t"cal cene. .aul+ner
$owed "gn o& art"t"c talent &ro! a young age, but beca!e bored w"t$ $" clae and ne)er
&"n"$ed $"g$ c$ool.
.aul+ner grew u# "n t$e town o& O3&ord, ("""##", and e)entually returned t$ere "n $"
later year and #urc$aed $" &a!ou etate, 'owan Oa+. O3&ord and t$e urround"ng area were
.aul+nerU "n#"rat"on &or t$e &"ct"onal 6o+na#ataw#$a 7ounty, ("""##", and "t town o&
Je&&eron. ;$ee locale beca!e t$e ett"ng &or a nu!ber o& $" wor+. .aul+nerU
S6o+na#ataw#$a no)elT "nclude The Sound and the *ury (1919), As Lay 6ying (1990), Light
in August (1991), A.salom, A.salom; (199A), The -amlet (1940), and Go 6o+n, !oses (1941),
and t$ey &eature o!e o& t$e a!e c$aracter and locat"on.
.aul+ner wa #art"cularly "ntereted "n t$e decl"ne o& t$e Gee# =out$ a&ter t$e 7")"l Dar.
(any o& $" no)el e3#lore t$e deter"orat"on o& t$e =out$ern ar"tocracy a&ter t$e detruct"on o&
"t wealt$ and way o& l"&e dur"ng t$e 7")"l Dar and 'econtruct"on. .aul+ner #o#ulate
6o+na#ataw#$a 7ounty w"t$ t$e +eleton o& old !an"on and t$e g$ot o& great !en,
#atr"arc$ and general &ro! t$e #at w$oe ar"tocrat"c &a!"l"e &a"l to l")e u# to t$e"r $"tor"cal
greatne. *eneat$ t$e $adow o& #at grandeur, t$ee &a!"l"e atte!#t to cl"ng to old =out$ern
)alue, code, and !yt$ t$at are corru#ted and out o& #lace "n t$e real"ty o& t$e !odern world.
;$e &a!"l"e "n .aul+nerU no)el are r"&e w"t$ &a"led on, d"graced daug$ter, and !older"ng
reent!ent between w$"te and blac+ "n t$e a&ter!at$ o& A&r"can%A!er"can la)ery.
.aul+nerU re#utat"on a one o& t$e greatet no)el"t o& t$e twent"et$ century " largely
due to $" $"g$ly e3#er"!ental tyle. .aul+ner wa a #"oneer "n l"terary !odern"!, dra!at"cally
d")erg"ng &ro! t$e &or! and tructure trad"t"onally ued "n no)el be&ore $" t"!e. .aul+ner
o&ten e!#loy trea! o& conc"oune narrat")e, d"card any not"on o& c$ronolog"cal order,
ue !ult"#le narrator, $"&t between t$e #reent and #at tene, and tend toward "!#o"bly
long and co!#le3 entence. 5ot ur#r""ngly, t$ee tyl"t"c "nno)at"on !a+e o!e o&
.aul+nerU no)el "ncred"bly c$alleng"ng to t$e reader. ,owe)er, t$ee bold "nno)at"on #a)ed
t$e way &or countle &uture wr"ter to cont"nue to e3#er"!ent w"t$ t$e #o"b"l"t"e o& t$e
44
Engl"$ language. .or $" e&&ort, .aul+ner wa awarded t$e 5obel Pr">e "n H"terature "n 1949.
,e d"ed "n ("""##" "n 19A1.
."rt #ubl"$ed "n 1919, The Sound and the *ury " recogn">ed a one o& t$e !ot
ucce&ully "nno)at")e and e3#er"!ental A!er"can no)el o& "t t"!e, not to !ent"on one o& t$e
!ot c$alleng"ng to "nter#ret. ;$e no)el concern t$e down&all o& t$e 7o!#on, w$o $a)e been
a #ro!"nent &a!"ly "n Je&&eron, ("""##", "nce be&ore t$e 7")"l Dar. .aul+ner re#reent t$e
$u!an e3#er"ence by #ortray"ng e)ent and "!age ub4ect")ely, t$roug$ e)eral d"&&erent
c$aracterU re#ect")e !e!or"e o& c$"ld$ood. ;$e no)elU trea! o& conc"oune tyle "
&reCuently )ery o#aCue, a e)ent are o&ten del"berately obcured and narrated out o& order.
Ge#"te "t &or!"dable co!#le3"ty, The Sound and the *ury " an o)er#ower"ng and dee#ly
!o)"ng no)el. 8t " generally regarded a .aul+nerU !ot "!#ortant and re!ar+able l"terary
wor+.
Plot ;-er-ie#
Z
Atte!#t"ng to a##ly trad"t"onal #lot u!!ary to The Sound and the *ury " d"&&"cult. At a
ba"c le)el, t$e no)el " about t$e t$ree 7o!#on brot$erU obe"on w"t$ t$e t$e"r "ter 7addy,
but t$" br"e& yno#" re#reent !erely t$e ur&ace o& w$at t$e no)el conta"n. A tory told "n
&our c$a#ter, by &our d"&&erent )o"ce, and out o& c$ronolog"cal order, The Sound and the *ury
reCu"re "ntene concentrat"on and #at"ence to "nter#ret and undertand.
;$e &"rt t$ree c$a#ter o& t$e no)el con"t o& t$e con)oluted t$oug$t, )o"ce, and
!e!or"e o& t$e t$ree 7o!#on brot$er, ca#tured on t$ree d"&&erent day. ;$e brot$er are
*en4y, a e)erely retarded t$"rty%t$ree%year%old !an, #ea+"ng "n A#r"l, 1918< [uent"n, a young
,ar)ard tudent, #ea+"ng "n June, 1910< and Jaon, a b"tter &ar!%u##ly tore wor+er, #ea+"ng
aga"n "n A#r"l, 1918. .aul+ner tell t$e &ourt$ c$a#ter "n $" own narrat")e )o"ce, but &ocue on
G"ley, t$e 7o!#on &a!"lyU de)oted S5egroT coo+ w$o $a #layed a great #art "n ra""ng t$e
c$"ldren. .aul+ner $arnee t$e brot$erU !e!or"e o& t$e"r "ter 7addy, u"ng a "ngle
y!bol"c !o!ent to &orecat t$e decl"ne o& t$e once #ro!"nent 7o!#on &a!"ly and to e3a!"ne
t$e deter"orat"on o& t$e =out$ern ar"tocrat"c cla "nce t$e 7")"l Dar.
;$e 7o!#on are one o& e)eral #ro!"nent na!e "n t$e town o& Je&&eron, ("""##".
;$e"r ancetor $el#ed ettle t$e area and ubeCuently de&ended "t dur"ng t$e 7")"l Dar. ="nce
t$e war, t$e 7o!#on $a)e gradually een t$e"r wealt$, land, and tatu cru!ble away. (r.
7o!#on " an alco$ol"c. (r. 7o!#on " a el&%aborbed $y#oc$ondr"ac w$o de#end al!ot
ent"rely u#on G"ley to ra"e $er &our c$"ldren. [uent"n, t$e oldet c$"ld, " a en"t")e bundle o&
neuroe. 7addy " tubborn, but lo)"ng and co!#a"onate. Jaon $a been d"&&"cult and !ean%
#"r"ted "nce b"rt$ and " largely #urned by t$e ot$er c$"ldren. *en4y " e)erely !entally
d"abled, an S"d"otT w"t$ no undertand"ng o& t$e conce#t o& t"!e or !oral"ty. 8n t$e abence o&
t$e el&%aborbed (r. 7o!#on, 7addy er)e a a !ot$er &"gure and y!bol o& a&&ect"on &or
*en4y and [uent"n.
A t$e c$"ldren grow older, $owe)er, 7addy beg"n to be$a)e #ro!"cuouly, w$"c$
tor!ent [uent"n and end *en4y "nto &"t o& !oan"ng and cry"ng. [uent"n " #re#ar"ng to go to
,ar)ard, and (r. 7o!#on ell a large #ort"on o& t$e &a!"ly land to #ro)"de &und &or t$e
tu"t"on. 7addy loe $er )"rg"n"ty and beco!e #regnant. =$e " unable or unw"ll"ng to na!e t$e
&at$er o& t$e c$"ld, t$oug$ "t " l"+ely Galton A!e, a boy &ro! town.
7addyU #regnancy lea)e [uent"n e!ot"onally $attered. ,e atte!#t to cla"! &ale
re#on"b"l"ty &or t$e #regnancy, ly"ng to $" &at$er t$at $e and 7addy $a)e co!!"tted "ncet. (r.
7o!#on " "nd"&&erent to 7addyU #ro!"cu"ty, d"!""ng [uent"nU tory and tell"ng $" on to
lea)e early &or t$e 5ort$eat.
45
Atte!#t"ng to co)er u# $er "nd"cret"on, 7addy Cu"c+ly !arr"e ,erbert ,ead, a ban+er
$e !et "n 8nd"ana. ,erbert #ro!"e Jaon 7o!#on a 4ob "n $" ban+. ,erbert "!!ed"ately
d")orce 7addy and rec"nd JaonU 4ob o&&er w$en $e real">e $" w"&e " #regnant w"t$ anot$er
!anU c$"ld. (eanw$"le, [uent"n, t"ll !"red "n de#a"r o)er 7addyU "n, co!!"t u"c"de by
drown"ng $"!el& "n t$e 7$arle '")er 4ut be&ore t$e end o& $" &"rt year at ,ar)ard.
;$e 7o!#on d"own 7addy &ro! t$e &a!"ly, but ta+e "n $er newborn daug$ter, ("
[uent"n. ;$e ta+ o& ra""ng (" [uent"n &all Cuarely on G"leyU $oulder. (r. 7o!#on
d"e o& alco$ol"! roug$ly a year a&ter [uent"nU u"c"de. A t$e oldet ur)")"ng on, Jaon
beco!e t$e $ead o& t$e 7o!#on $oue$old. *"tterly e!#loyed at a !en"al 4ob "n t$e local
&ar!%u##ly tore, Jaon de)"e an "ngen"ou c$e!e to teal t$e !oney 7addy end to u##ort
(" [uent"nU u#br"ng"ng.
(" [uent"n grow u# to be an un$a##y, rebell"ou, and #ro!"cuou g"rl, contantly "n
con&l"ct w"t$ $er o)erbear"ng and )"c"ou uncle Jaon. On Eater =unday, 1918, (" [uent"n
teal e)eral t$ouand dollar &ro! Jaon and run away w"t$ a !an &ro! a tra)el"ng $ow.
D$"le Jaon c$ae a&ter (" [uent"n to no a)a"l, G"ley ta+e *en4y and t$e ret o& $er &a!"ly
to Eater er)"ce at t$e local c$urc$.
A Note on the Title
;$e t"tle o& The Sound and the *ury re&er to a l"ne &ro! D"ll"a! =$a+e#eareU
!ac.eth, (acbet$, a =cott"$ general and noble!an, learn o& $" w"&eU u"c"de and &eel t$at
$" l"&e " cru!bl"ng "nto c$ao. 8n add"t"on to .aul+nerU t"tle, we can &"nd e)eral o& t$e no)elU
"!#ortant !ot"& "n (acbet$U $ort ol"loCuy "n Act /, cene )E
;o!orrow, and to!orrow, and to!orrow
7ree# "n t$" #etty #ace &ro! day to day
;o t$e lat yllable o& recorded t"!e,
And all our yeterday $a)e l"g$ted &ool
;$e way to duty deat$. Out, out, br"e& candle.
H"&eU but a wal+"ng $adow, a #oor #layer
;$at trut and &ret $" $our u#on t$e tage,
And t$en " $eard no !ore. 8t " a tale
;old by an "d"ot, &ull o& ound and &ury,
="gn"&y"ng not$"ng.
(/.).1817)
The Sound and the *ury l"terally beg"n a a Stale R ;old by an "d"ot,T a t$e &"rt c$a#ter
" narrated by t$e !entally d"abled *en4y. ;$e no)elU central concern "nclude t"!e, !uc$ l"+e
(acbet$U S@tBo!orrow, and to!orrowT< deat$, recall"ng (acbet$U Sduty deat$T< and
not$"ngne and d""ntegrat"on, a clear re&erence to (acbet$U la!ent t$at l"&e S@B"gn"&@"eB
not$"ng.T Add"t"onally, [uent"n " $aunted by t$e ene t$at t$e 7o!#on &a!"ly $a
d""ntegrated to a !ere $adow o& "t &or!er greatne.
8n $" ol"loCuy, (acbet$ "!#l"e t$at l"&e " but a $adow o& t$e #at and t$at a !odern
!an, l"+e $"!el&, " "nadeCuately eCu"##ed and unable to ac$"e)e anyt$"ng near t$e greatne o&
t$e #at. .aul+ner re"nter#ret t$" "dea, "!#ly"ng t$at "& !an doe not c$ooe to ta+e $" own
l"&e, a [uent"n doe, t$e only alternat")e are to beco!e e"t$er a cyn"c and !ater"al"t l"+e Jaon,
or an "d"ot l"+e *en4y, unable to ee l"&e a anyt$"ng !ore t$an a !ean"ngle er"e o& "!age,
ound, and !e!or"e.
$haracter List
Z
1ason $om(son 777 % ;$e $ead o& t$e 7o!#on $oue$old unt"l $" deat$ &ro!
alco$ol"! "n 1911. (r. 7o!#on " t$e &at$er o& [uent"n, 7addy, Jaon 8/, and *en4y, and t$e
$uband o& 7arol"ne.
46
$aroline $om(son % ;$e el&%#"ty"ng and el&%aborbed w"&e o& (r. 7o!#on and
!ot$er o& t$e &our 7o!#on c$"ldren. 7arol"neU $y#oc$ondr"a #reoccu#"e $er and contr"bute
to $er "nab"l"ty to care #ro#erly &or $er c$"ldren.
8uentin $om(son % ;$e oldet o& t$e 7o!#on c$"ldren and t$e narrator o& t$e no)elU
econd c$a#ter. A en"t")e and "ntell"gent boy, [uent"n " #reoccu#"ed w"t$ $" lo)e &or $" "ter
7addy and $" not"on o& t$e 7o!#on &a!"lyU $onor. ,e co!!"t u"c"de by drown"ng $"!el&
4ut be&ore t$e end o& $" &"rt year at ,ar)ard.
$addy $om(son % ;$e econd oldet o& t$e 7o!#on c$"ldren and t$e only daug$ter.
Actually na!ed 7andace, 7addy " )ery cloe to $er brot$er [uent"n. =$e beco!e #ro!"cuou,
get #regnant out o& wedloc+, and e)entually !arr"e and d")orce ,erbert ,ead "n 1910.
1ason $om(son 7B % ;$e econd younget o& t$e 7o!#on c$"ldren and t$e narrator o&
t$e no)elU t$"rd c$a#ter. Jaon " !ean%#"r"ted, #etty, and )ery cyn"cal.
/enjy $om(son % ;$e younget o& t$e 7o!#on c$"ldren and narrator o& t$e no)elU
&"rt c$a#ter. *orn (aury 7o!#on, $" na!e " c$anged to *en4a!"n "n 1900, w$en $e "
d"co)ered to be e)erely !entally retarded.
Miss 8uentin % 7addyU "lleg"t"!ate daug$ter, w$o " ra"ed by t$e 7o!#on a&ter
7addyU d")orce. A rebell"ou, #ro!"cuou, and !"erably un$a##y g"rl, (" [uent"n
e)entually teal !oney &ro! Jaon and lea)e town w"t$ a !e!ber o& a tra)el"ng !"ntrel $ow.
.ilsey % ;$e 7o!#onU S5egroT coo+, G"ley " a #"ou, trong%w"lled, #rotect")e
wo!an w$o er)e a a tab"l">"ng &orce &or t$e 7o!#on &a!"ly.
+os6us % G"leyU $uband and t$e 7o!#onU er)ant. 'o+u u&&er &ro! a e)ere
cae o& r$eu!at"! t$at e)entually +"ll $"!.
TP % One o& G"leyU on, ;.P. get drun+ w"t$ *en4y and &"g$t w"t$ [uent"n at
7addyU wedd"ng.
Bersh % Anot$er o& G"leyU on and *en4yU +ee#er.
Frony % G"leyU daug$ter. .rony " alo HuterU !ot$er and wor+ "n t$e 7o!#onU
+"tc$en.
Luster % .ronyU on and G"leyU grandon. Huter " a young boy w$o loo+ a&ter and
enterta"n *en4y "n 1918, de#"te t$e &act t$at $e " only $al& *en4yU age.
The man #ith the red tie % ;$e !yter"ou !an w"t$ w$o! (" [uent"n allegedly
elo#e.
.amuddy % ;$e 7o!#on c$"ldrenU grand!ot$er, w$o d"e w$en t$ey are young.
Uncle Maury /ascom0 % (r. 7o!#onU brot$er, w$o l")e o&& $" brot$er%"n%lawU
!oney. *en4y " "n"t"ally na!ed a&ter 0ncle (aury, but *en4yU cond"t"on and 7arol"neU
"necur"ty about $er &a!"ly na!e con)"nce $er to c$ange $er onU na!e.
Mr and Mrs Patterson % ;$e 7o!#onU ne3t%door ne"g$bor. 0ncle (aury $a an
a&&a"r w"t$ (r. Patteron unt"l (r. Patteron "nterce#t a note (aury $a ent to $er.
$harlie % One o& 7addyU &"rt u"tor, w$o! *en4y catc$e w"t$ 7addy on t$e w"ng
dur"ng t$e &"rt c$a#ter.
.alton Ames % A local Je&&eron boy w$o " #robably t$e &at$er o& 7addyU c$"ld, ("
[uent"n.
!hre-e MacCen&ie % [uent"nU roo!!ate at ,ar)ard. A young 7anad"an !an, =$re)e
rea##ear "n A.salom, A.salom;, one o& .aul+nerU later no)el, w$"c$ " largely narrated by
=$re)e and [uent"n &ro! t$e"r dor! roo! at ,ar)ard.
!(oade % A ,ar)ard en"or &ro! =out$ 7arol"na. =#oade once !oc+ed [uent"nU
)"rg"n"ty by call"ng =$re)e [uent"nU S$uband.T
Gerald /land % A wagger"ng tudent at ,ar)ard. [uent"n &"g$t w"t$ ?erald becaue $e
re!"nd $"! o& Galton A!e.
47
Mrs /land % ?erald *landU boat&ul, =out$ern !ot$er.
.eacon % A blac+ !an "n 7a!br"dge, (aac$uett, to w$o! [uent"n g")e $" u"c"de
note.
1ulio % ;$e brot$er o& an 8tal"an g"rl w$o attac$e $erel& to [uent"n a $e wander
7a!br"dge be&ore $" u"c"de.
!ydney Her0ert Head % ;$e #ro#erou ban+er w$o! 7addy !arr"e. ,erbert later
d")orce 7addy becaue o& $er #regnancy.
Lorraine % JaonU !"tre, a #rot"tute w$o l")e "n (e!#$".
Earl % ;$e owner o& t$e &ar!%u##ly tore w$ere Jaon wor+. Earl &eel o!e loyalty
toward (r. 7o!#on and t$u #ut u# w"t$ JaonU url"ne.
Uncle 1o0 % A blac+ !an w$o wor+ w"t$ Jaon at EarlU tore.
+e-erend !hegog % ;$e #ator w$o del")er a #ower&ul er!on on Eater =unday at t$e
local blac+ c$urc$ "n Je&&eron.
Themes
;$e 7orru#t"on o& =out$ern Ar"tocrat"c /alue
;$e &"rt $al& o& t$e n"neteent$ century aw t$e r"e o& a nu!ber o& #ro!"nent =out$ern
&a!"l"e uc$ a t$e 7o!#on. ;$ee ar"tocrat"c &a!"l"e e#oued trad"t"onal =out$ern )alue.
(en were e3#ected to act l"+e gentle!en, d"#lay"ng courage, !oral trengt$, #ere)erance, and
c$")alry "n de&ene o& t$e $onor o& t$e"r &a!"ly na!e. Do!en were e3#ected to be !odel o&
&e!"n"ne #ur"ty, grace, and )"rg"n"ty unt"l "t ca!e t"!e &or t$e! to #ro)"de c$"ldren to "n$er"t t$e
&a!"ly legacy. .a"t$ "n ?od and #ro&ound concern &or #reer)"ng t$e &a!"ly re#utat"on #ro)"ded
t$e ground"ng &or t$ee bel"e&.
;$e 7")"l Dar and 'econtruct"on de)atated !any o& t$ee once%great =out$ern &a!"l"e
econo!"cally, oc"ally, and #yc$olog"cally. .aul+ner contend t$at "n t$e #roce, t$e
7o!#on, and ot$er "!"lar =out$ern &a!"l"e, lot touc$ w"t$ t$e real"ty o& t$e world around
t$e! and beca!e lot "n a $a>e o& el&%abor#t"on. ;$" el&%abor#t"on corru#ted t$e core )alue
t$ee &a!"l"e once $eld dear and le&t t$e newer generat"on co!#letely uneCu"##ed to deal w"t$
t$e real"t"e o& t$e !odern world.
De ee t$" corru#t"on runn"ng ra!#ant "n t$e 7o!#on &a!"ly. (r. 7o!#on $a a
)ague not"on o& &a!"ly $onorKo!et$"ng $e #ae on to [uent"nKbut " !"red "n $"
alco$ol"! and !a"nta"n a &atal"t"c bel"e& t$at $e cannot control t$e e)ent t$at be&all $"
&a!"ly. (r. 7o!#on " 4ut a el&%aborbed, wallow"ng "n $y#oc$ondr"a and el&%#"ty and
re!a"n"ng e!ot"onally d"tant &ro! $er c$"ldren. [uent"nU obe"on w"t$ old =out$ern !oral"ty
render $"! #araly>ed and unable to !o)e #at $" &a!"lyU "n. 7addy tra!#le on t$e =out$ern
not"on o& &e!"n"ne #ur"ty and "ndulge "n #ro!"cu"ty, a doe $er daug$ter. Jaon wate $"
cle)erne on el&%#"ty and greed, tr")"ng contantly &or #eronal ga"n but w"t$ no $"g$er
a#"rat"on. *en4y co!!"t no real "n, but t$e 7o!#onU decl"ne " #$y"cally !an"&eted
t$roug$ $" retardat"on and $" "nab"l"ty to d"&&erent"ate between !oral"ty and "!!oral"ty.
;$e 7o!#onU corru#t"on o& =out$ern )alue reult "n a $oue$old t$at " co!#letely
de)o"d o& lo)e, t$e &orce t$at once $eld t$e &a!"ly toget$er. *ot$ #arent are d"tant and
"ne&&ect")e. 7addy, t$e only c$"ld w$o $ow an ab"l"ty to lo)e, " e)entually d"owned. ;$oug$
[uent"n lo)e 7addy, $" lo)e " neurot"c, obe")e, and o)er#rotect")e. 5one o& t$e !en
e3#er"ence any true ro!ant"c lo)e, and are t$u unable to !arry and carry on t$e &a!"ly na!e.
At t$e conclu"on o& t$e no)el, G"ley " t$e only lo)"ng !e!ber o& t$e $oue$old, t$e
only c$aracter w$o !a"nta"n $er )alue w"t$out t$e corru#t"ng "n&luence o& el&%abor#t"on. =$e
t$u co!e to re#reent a $o#e &or t$e renewal o& trad"t"onal =out$ern )alue "n an uncorru#ted
and #o"t")e &or!. ;$e no)el end w"t$ G"ley a t$e torc$bearer &or t$ee )alue, and, a uc$,
t$e only $o#e &or t$e #reer)at"on o& t$e 7o!#on legacy. .aul+ner "!#l"e t$at t$e #roble! "
48
not necear"ly t$e )alue o& t$e old =out$, but t$e &act t$at t$ee )alue were corru#ted by
&a!"l"e uc$ a t$e 7o!#on and !ut be reca#tured &or any =out$ern greatne to return.
'eurrect"on and 'enewal
;$ree o& t$e no)elU &our ect"on ta+e #lace on or around Eater, 1918. .aul+nerU
#lace!ent o& t$e no)elU cl"!a3 on t$" wee+end " "gn"&"cant, a t$e wee+end " aoc"ated w"t$
7$r"tU cruc"&"3"on on ?ood .r"day and reurrect"on on Eater =unday. A nu!ber o& y!bol"c
e)ent "n t$e no)el could be l"+ened to t$e deat$ o& 7$r"tE [uent"nU deat$, (r. 7o!#onU
deat$, 7addyU lo o& )"rg"n"ty, or t$e decl"ne o& t$e 7o!#on &a!"ly "n general.
=o!e cr"t"c $a)e c$aracter">ed *en4y a a 7$r"t &"gure, a *en4y wa born on ,oly
=aturday and " currently t$"rty%t$ree, t$e a!e age a 7$r"t at t$e cruc"&"3"on. 8nter#ret"ng
*en4y a a 7$r"t &"gure $a a )ar"ety o& #o"ble "!#l"cat"on. *en4y !ay re#reent t$e
"!#otence o& 7$r"t "n t$e !odern world and t$e need &or a new 7$r"t &"gure to e!erge.
Alternat")ely, .aul+ner !ay be "!#ly"ng t$at t$e !odern world $a &a"led to recogn">e 7$r"t "n
"t own !"dt.
;$oug$ t$e Eater wee+end " aoc"ated w"t$ deat$, "t alo br"ng t$e $o#e o& renewal
and reurrect"on. ;$oug$ t$e 7o!#on &a!"ly $a &allen, G"ley re#reent a ource o& $o#e.
G"ley " $erel& o!ew$at o& a 7$r"t &"gure. A l"teral #arallel to t$e u&&er"ng er)ant o& t$e
*"ble, G"ley $a endured 7$r"tl"+e $ard$"# t$roug$out $er long l"&e o& er)"ce to t$e
d""ntegrat"ng 7o!#on &a!"ly. =$e $a contantly tolerated (r. 7o!#onU el&%#"ty, JaonU
cruelty, and *en4yU &rutrat"ng "nca#ac"ty. D$"le t$e 7o!#on cru!ble around $er, G"ley
e!erge a t$e only c$aracter w$o $a ucce&ully reurrected t$e )alue t$at t$e 7o!#on
$a)e long abandonedK$ard wor+, endurance, lo)e o& &a!"ly, and rel"g"ou &a"t$.
;$e .a"lure o& Hanguage and 5arrat")e
.aul+ner $"!el& ad!"tted t$at $e could ne)er at"&actor"ly con)ey t$e tory o& The
Sound and the *ury t$roug$ any "ngle narrat")e )o"ce. ," dec""on to ue &our d"&&erent
narrator $"g$l"g$t t$e ub4ect")"ty o& eac$ narrat")e and cat doubt on t$e ab"l"ty o& language
to con)ey trut$ or !ean"ng abolutely.
*en4y, [uent"n, and Jaon $a)e )atly d"&&erent )"ew on t$e 7o!#on tragedy, but no
"ngle #er#ect")e ee! !ore )al"d t$an t$e ot$er. A eac$ new angle e!erge, !ore deta"l
and Cuet"on ar"e. E)en t$e &"nal ect"on, w"t$ "t o!n"c"ent t$"rd%#eron narrator, doe not t"e
u# all o& t$e no)elU looe end. 8n "nter)"ew, .aul+ner la!ented t$e "!#er&ect"on o& t$e &"nal
)er"on o& t$e no)el, w$"c$ $e ter!ed $" S!ot #lend"d &a"lure.T E)en w"t$ &our narrator
#ro)"d"ng t$e de#t$ o& &our d"&&erent #er#ect")e, .aul+ner bel"e)ed t$at $" language and
narrat")e t"ll &ell $ort.
Motifs
;"!e
.aul+nerU treat!ent and re#reentat"on o& t"!e "n t$" no)el wa $a"led a re)olut"onary.
.aul+ner ugget t$at t"!e " not a contant or ob4ect")ely undertandable ent"ty, and t$at
$u!an can "nteract w"t$ "t "n a )ar"ety o& way. *en4y $a no conce#t o& t"!e and cannot
d"t"ngu"$ between #at and #reent. ," d"ab"l"ty enable $"! to draw connect"on between t$e
#at and #reent t$at ot$er !"g$t not ee, and "t allow $"! to eca#e t$e ot$er 7o!#onU
obe"on w"t$ t$e #at greatne o& t$e"r na!e. [uent"n, "n contrat, " tra##ed by t"!e, unable
and unw"ll"ng to !o)e beyond $" !e!or"e o& t$e #at. ,e atte!#t to eca#e t"!eU gra# by
brea+"ng $" watc$, but "t t"c+"ng cont"nue to $aunt $"! a&terward, and $e ee no olut"on but
u"c"de. 0nl"+e $" brot$er [uent"n, Jaon $a no ue &or t$e #at. ,e &ocue co!#letely on t$e
#reent and t$e "!!ed"ate &uture. ;o Jaon, t"!e e3"t only &or #eronal ga"n and cannot be
wated. G"ley " #er$a# t$e only c$aracter at #eace w"t$ t"!e. 0nl"+e t$e 7o!#on, w$o try to
eca#e t"!e or !an"#ulate "t to t$e"r ad)antage, G"ley undertand t$at $er l"&e " a !all l")er
"n t$e boundle range o& t"!e and $"tory.
49
Order and 7$ao
Eac$ o& t$e 7o!#on brot$er undertand order and c$ao "n a d"&&erent way. *en4y
contruct order around t$e #attern o& &a!"l"ar !e!or"e "n $" !"nd and beco!e u#et w$en $e
e3#er"ence o!et$"ng t$at doe not &"t. [uent"n rel"e on $" "deal">ed =out$ern code to #ro)"de
order. Jaon order e)eryt$"ng "n $" world baed on #otent"al #eronal ga"n, atte!#t"ng to tw"t
all c"rcu!tance to $" own ad)antage. All t$ree o& t$ee yte! &a"l a t$e 7o!#on &a!"ly
#lunge "nto c$ao. Only G"ley $a a trong ene o& order. =$e !a"nta"n $er )alue, endure
t$e 7o!#onU tu!ultuou down&all, and " t$e only one le&t unbro+en at t$e end.
=$adow
=een #r"!ar"ly "n *en4yU and [uent"nU ect"on, $adow "!#ly t$at t$e #reent tate o&
t$e 7o!#on &a!"ly " !erely a $adow o& "t #at greatne. =$adow er)e a a ubtle re!"nder
o& t$e #aage o& t"!e, a t$ey lowly $"&t w"t$ t$e un t$roug$ t$e coure o& a day. [uent"n "
#art"cularly en"t")e to $adow, a ugget"on o& $" acute awarene t$at t$e 7o!#on na!e "
!erely a $adow o& w$at "t once wa.
Symbols
Dater
Dater y!bol">e clean"ng and #ur"ty t$roug$out t$e no)el, e#ec"ally "n relat"on to
7addy. Play"ng "n t$e trea! a a c$"ld, 7addy ee! to e#"to!">e #ur"ty and "nnocence.
,owe)er, $e !udd"e $er underclot$e, w$"c$ &ore$adow 7addyU later #ro!"cu"ty. *en4y
get u#et w$en $e &"rt !ell 7addy wear"ng #er&u!e. =t"ll a )"rg"n at t$" #o"nt, 7addy wa$e
t$e #er&u!e o&&, y!bol"cally wa$"ng away $er "n. H"+ew"e, $e wa$e $er !out$ out w"t$
oa# a&ter *en4y catc$e $er on t$e w"ng w"t$ 7$arl"e. Once 7addy loe $er )"rg"n"ty, $e
+now t$at no a!ount o& water or wa$"ng can cleane $er.
[uent"nU Datc$
[uent"nU watc$ " a g"&t &ro! $" &at$er, w$o $o#e t$at "t w"ll alle)"ate [uent"nU &eel"ng
t$at $e !ut de)ote o !uc$ attent"on to watc$"ng t"!e $"!el&. [uent"n " unable to eca#e $"
#reoccu#at"on w"t$ t"!e, w"t$ or w"t$out t$e watc$. *ecaue t$e watc$ once belonged to (r.
7o!#on, "t contantly re!"nd [uent"n o& t$e glor"ou $er"tage $" &a!"ly con"der o
"!#ortant. ;$e watc$U "nceant t"c+"ng y!bol">e t$e contant "ne3orable #aage o& t"!e.
[uent"n &ut"lely atte!#t to eca#e t"!e by brea+"ng t$e watc$, but "t cont"nue to t"c+ e)en
w"t$out "t $and, $aunt"ng $"! e)en a&ter $e lea)e t$e watc$ be$"nd "n $" roo!.
D The Great Gats0y
F !cott Fit&gerald
$onte%t
.ranc" =cott Fey ."t>gerald wa born on =e#te!ber 14, 189A, and na!ed a&ter $"
ancetor .ranc" =cott Fey, t$e aut$or o& S;$e =tar%=#angled *anner.T ."t>gerald wa ra"ed "n
=t. Paul, ("nneota. ;$oug$ an "ntell"gent c$"ld, $e d"d #oorly "n c$ool and wa ent to a 5ew
50
Jerey board"ng c$ool "n 1911. Ge#"te be"ng a !ed"ocre tudent t$ere, $e !anaged to enroll at
Pr"nceton "n 1919. Acade!"c trouble and a#at$y #lagued $"! t$roug$out $" t"!e at college,
and $e ne)er graduated, "ntead enl"t"ng "n t$e ar!y "n 1917, a Dorld Dar 8 neared "t end.
."t>gerald beca!e a econd l"eutenant, and wa tat"oned at 7a!# =$er"dan, "n
(ontgo!ery, Alaba!a. ;$ere $e !et and &ell "n lo)e w"t$ a w"ld e)enteen%year%old beauty
na!ed \elda =ayre. \elda &"nally agreed to !arry $"!, but $er o)er#ower"ng de"re &or wealt$,
&un, and le"ure led $er to delay t$e"r wedd"ng unt"l $e could #ro)e a ucce. D"t$ t$e
#ubl"cat"on o& This Side of Paradise "n 1910, ."t>gerald beca!e a l"terary enat"on, earn"ng
enoug$ !oney and &a!e to con)"nce \elda to !arry $"!.
(any o& t$ee e)ent &ro! ."t>geraldU early l"&e a##ear "n $" !ot &a!ou no)el, The
Great Gats.y, #ubl"$ed "n 191:. H"+e ."t>gerald, 5"c+ 7arraway " a t$oug$t&ul young !an
&ro! ("nneota, educated at an 8)y Heague c$ool ("n 5"c+U cae, 6ale), w$o !o)e to 5ew
6or+ a&ter t$e war. Alo "!"lar to ."t>gerald " Jay ?atby, a en"t")e young !an w$o "dol">e
wealt$ and lu3ury and w$o &all "n lo)e w"t$ a beaut"&ul young wo!an w$"le tat"oned at a
!"l"tary ca!# "n t$e =out$.
,a)"ng beco!e a celebr"ty, ."t>gerald &ell "nto a w"ld, rec+le l"&e%tyle o& #art"e and
decadence, w$"le de#erately try"ng to #leae \elda by wr"t"ng to earn !oney. ="!"larly, ?atby
a!ae a great deal o& wealt$ at a relat")ely young age, and de)ote $"!el& to acCu"r"ng
#oe"on and t$row"ng #art"e t$at $e bel"e)e w"ll enable $"! to w"n Ga"yU lo)e. A t$e
g"dd"ne o& t$e 'oar"ng ;went"e d"ol)ed "nto t$e blea+ne o& t$e ?reat Ge#re"on, $owe)er,
\elda u&&ered a ner)ou brea+down and ."t>gerald battled alco$ol"!, w$"c$ $a!#ered $"
wr"t"ng. ,e #ubl"$ed Tender s the Night "n 1994, and old $ort tor"e to The Saturday
)vening Post to u##ort $" la)"$ l"&etyle. 8n 1997, $e le&t &or ,ollywood to wr"te creen#lay,
and "n 1940, w$"le wor+"ng on $" no)el The Love of the Last Tycoon, d"ed o& a $eart attac+ at
t$e age o& &orty%&our.
."t>gerald wa t$e !ot &a!ou c$ron"cler o& 1910 A!er"ca, an era t$at $e dubbed St$e
Ja>> Age.T Dr"tten "n 191:, The Great Gats.y " one o& t$e greatet l"terary docu!ent o& t$"
#er"od, "n w$"c$ t$e A!er"can econo!y oared, br"ng"ng un#recedented le)el o& #ro#er"ty to
t$e nat"on. Pro$"b"t"on, t$e ban on t$e ale and conu!#t"on o& alco$ol !andated by t$e
E"g$teent$ A!end!ent to t$e 7ont"tut"on (1919), !ade !"ll"ona"re out o& bootlegger, and an
underground culture o& re)elry #rang u#. =#rawl"ng #r")ate #art"e !anaged to elude #ol"ce
not"ce, and S#ea+ea"eTKecret club t$at old l"CuorKt$r")ed. ;$e c$ao and )"olence o&
Dorld Dar 8 le&t A!er"ca "n a tate o& $oc+, and t$e generat"on t$at &oug$t t$e war turned to
w"ld and e3tra)agant l")"ng to co!#enate. ;$e ta"d coner)at"! and t"!eworn )alue o& t$e
#re)"ou decade were turned on t$e"r ear, a !oney, o#ulence, and e3uberance beca!e t$e order
o& t$e day.
H"+e 5"c+ "n The Great Gats.y, ."t>gerald &ound t$" new l"&etyle educt")e and
e3c"t"ng, and, l"+e ?atby, $e $ad alway "dol">ed t$e )ery r"c$. 5ow $e &ound $"!el& "n an era
"n w$"c$ unretra"ned !ater"al"! et t$e tone o& oc"ety, #art"cularly "n t$e large c"t"e o& t$e
Eat. E)en o, l"+e 5"c+, ."t>gerald aw t$roug$ t$e gl"tter o& t$e Ja>> Age to t$e !oral
e!#t"ne and $y#ocr"y beneat$, and #art o& $"! longed &or t$" abent !oral center. 8n !any
way, The Great Gats.y re#reent ."t>geraldU atte!#t to con&ront $" con&l"ct"ng &eel"ng about
t$e Ja>> Age. H"+e ?atby, ."t>gerald wa dr")en by $" lo)e &or a wo!an w$o y!bol">ed
e)eryt$"ng $e wanted, e)en a $e led $"! toward e)eryt$"ng $e de#"ed.
Plot ;-er-ie#
5"c+ 7arraway, #erona4ul narator, e !utM Lntr%o uburb"e a 5ew 6or+%ulu" #entru a
lucra #e Dall =treet. A"c" e LntNlneWte cu un )ec$" coleg de l"ceu, ;o! *uc$anan, care ete
cMMtor"t cu )er"Woara lu" 5"c+, Ga"y *uc$anan. Ha e" acaM o cunoaWte W" #e Jordan *a+er, o
51
tNnMrM care #ract"cM gol&ul W" care !an"&etM oarecare "ntere &aVM de 5"c+. Gu#M ce unM
tele&onul, "ar Jordan #eculea>M cM ar &" a!anta lu" ;o!, aceata d"n ur!M #leacM L!#reunM cu
naratorul toc!a" la acea a!antM, (yrtle D"lon. (yrtle ete cMMtor"tM cu ?eorge, un !ecan"c
care e roagM de ;o! M%" )NndM o anu!"tM !aW"nM, deW" ;o! Ll tot a!NnM. (yrtle, ora acete"a,
;o! W" 5"c+ #leacM a#o" M #etreacM. 5u!ele lu" ?atby ete !enV"onat de cNte)a or", "ar
naratorul, care %a !utat c$"ar lNngM )"la acetu"a, ete cur"o M%l LntNlneacM, tNrn"t &""nd de
#etrecer"le care aceta le dM earM de earM. A doua >" d"!"neaVM #r"!eWte o "n)"taV"a d"n #artea lu"
?atby W" e duce%n )">"tM. 5"c"un d"ntre #etrecMreV" nu #are M%l cunoacM #eronal #e ?atby W"
cu atNt !a" #uV"n M Wt"e ce)a legat )"aVa lu" #eronalM, aWa cM #eculea>M. *a cM ar &" #"on, ba cM
ar &" o!orNt un o!` Ha un !o!ent dat, ?atby " e adreea>M lu" 5"c+, deW" aceta n%are $abar
cu c"ne anu!e tM de )orbM. G"n acel !o!ent ce" do" de)"n #r"eten", "ar ?atby "%l #re>"ntM Lntr%o
bunM >" #e (eyer Dol&$e"! (#erona4 care 4oacM un rol "!#ortant W" Ln &"l!ul *oardwal+
E!#"re), un e)reu "n&luent, !are carto&or W" "!#ortant contraband"t. ?atby doreWte M%" cearM o
&a)oare lu" 5"c+ W" o &ace #r"n "nter!ed"ul lu" Jordan *ac+er. Aceta L" e3#l"cM &a#tul cM ?atby e
LndrMgot"t de Ga"y, #e care o cunocue cu a#roa#e c"nc" an" Lna"nte, o )re!e cNnd era #rea
Mrac #entru a e cMMtor" cu ea, cM toate #etrecer"le unt, de &a#t, #entru ea, #entru a%" atrage e"
atenV"a, W" cM ar dor" ca 5"c+ M o "n)"te la el, #entru ca aceta, ?atby, M #oatM a#Mrea ca d"n
LntN!#lare Ln caa lu" W" M o )adM. Gu#M ce dM cur rugM!"nV"", "ar ?atby W" Ga"y e reLntNlnec,
#etrecer"le e rMrec, er)"tor"" la &el, LnM Lntre)eder"le lor a!oroae unt tot !a" dee. Planul lu"
?atby ete ca Ga"y M%" #unM oVulu" Mu cM nu l%a "ub"t, de &a#t, n"c"odatM, LnM Ln !o!entul Ln
care toV" e reunec Ln caa lu" ;o!, Ga"y e>"tM M%" dea cMrV"le #e &aVM. (erg cu toV"" Ln 5ew
6or+, unde ?aty L" #une totul lu" ;o!, "ar aceta Ll acu>M cM nu ar &" n"!"c altce)a decNt un
contraband"t ord"nar. ?atby LncearcM M o l"n"WteacM #e Ga"y, LnM &MrM #rea !are ucce. 7e"
do" e Lntorc acaM, "ar Ga"y, care e a&la la )olanul !aW"n"", o acc"dentea>M !ortal #e a!anta
oVulu" e", &MrM M o#reacM !a" a#o". A4un #ete cNte)a cl"#e la locul acc"dentulu", ;o! are o
d"cuV"e cu ?eorge, "ar a doua >" ?eorge )"ne W"%l uc"de #e ?atby, con)"n &""nd cM el "%a o!orNt
oV"a. 5"c+ e trMdu"eWte M "n)"te cNt !a" !ulV" oa!en" la Ln!or!Nntarea lu", LnM n"!en", Ln
a&ara tatMlu" lu" ?atby, nu )"ne.
5"c+ 7arraway, a young !an &ro! ("nneota, !o)e to 5ew 6or+ "n t$e u!!er o&
1911 to learn about t$e bond bu"ne. ,e rent a $oue "n t$e Det Egg d"tr"ct o& Hong 8land, a
wealt$y but un&a$"onable area #o#ulated by t$e new r"c$, a grou# w$o $a)e !ade t$e"r &ortune
too recently to $a)e etabl"$ed oc"al connect"on and w$o are #rone to gar"$ d"#lay o&
wealt$. 5"c+U ne3t%door ne"g$bor "n Det Egg " a !yter"ou !an na!ed Jay ?atby, w$o l")e
"n a g"gant"c ?ot$"c !an"on and t$row e3tra)agant #art"e e)ery =aturday n"g$t.
5"c+ " unl"+e t$e ot$er "n$ab"tant o& Det EggK$e wa educated at 6ale and $a oc"al
connect"on "n Eat Egg, a &a$"onable area o& Hong 8land $o!e to t$e etabl"$ed u##er cla.
5"c+ dr")e out to Eat Egg one e)en"ng &or d"nner w"t$ $" cou"n, Ga"y *uc$anan, and $er
$uband, ;o!, an ertw$"le cla!ate o& 5"c+U at 6ale. Ga"y and ;o! "ntroduce 5"c+ to Jordan
*a+er, a beaut"&ul, cyn"cal young wo!an w"t$ w$o! 5"c+ beg"n a ro!ant"c relat"on$"#. 5"c+
alo learn a b"t about Ga"y and ;o!U !arr"ageE Jordan tell $"! t$at ;o! $a a lo)er, (yrtle
D"lon, w$o l")e "n t$e )alley o& a$e, a gray "ndutr"al du!#"ng ground between Det Egg
and 5ew 6or+ 7"ty. 5ot long a&ter t$" re)elat"on, 5"c+ tra)el to 5ew 6or+ 7"ty w"t$ ;o! and
(yrtle. At a )ulgar, gaudy #arty "n t$e a#art!ent t$at ;o! +ee# &or t$e a&&a"r, (yrtle beg"n to
taunt ;o! about Ga"y, and ;o! re#ond by brea+"ng $er noe.
A t$e u!!er #rogree, 5"c+ e)entually garner an "n)"tat"on to one o& ?atbyU
legendary #art"e. ,e encounter Jordan *a+er at t$e #arty, and t$ey !eet ?atby $"!el&, a
ur#r""ngly young !an w$o a&&ect an Engl"$ accent, $a a re!ar+able !"le, and call
e)eryone Sold #ort.T ?atby a+ to #ea+ to Jordan alone, and, t$roug$ Jordan, 5"c+ later
learn !ore about $" !yter"ou ne"g$bor. ?atby tell Jordan t$at $e +new Ga"y "n Hou")"lle
52
"n 1917 and " dee#ly "n lo)e w"t$ $er. ,e #end !any n"g$t tar"ng at t$e green l"g$t at t$e end
o& $er doc+, acro t$e bay &ro! $" !an"on. ?atbyU e3tra)agant l"&etyle and w"ld #art"e are
"!#ly an atte!#t to "!#re Ga"y. ?atby now want 5"c+ to arrange a reun"on between
$"!el& and Ga"y, but $e " a&ra"d t$at Ga"y w"ll re&ue to ee $"! "& $e +now t$at $e t"ll
lo)e $er. 5"c+ "n)"te Ga"y to $a)e tea at $" $oue, w"t$out tell"ng $er t$at ?atby w"ll alo be
t$ere. A&ter an "n"t"ally aw+ward reun"on, ?atby and Ga"y reetabl"$ t$e"r connect"on. ;$e"r
lo)e re+"ndled, t$ey beg"n an a&&a"r.
A&ter a $ort t"!e, ;o! grow "ncrea"ngly u#"c"ou o& $" w"&eU relat"on$"# w"t$
?atby. At a lunc$eon at t$e *uc$ananU $oue, ?atby tare at Ga"y w"t$ uc$ und"gu"ed
#a"on t$at ;o! real">e ?atby " "n lo)e w"t$ $er. ;$oug$ ;o! " $"!el& "n)ol)ed "n an
e3tra!ar"tal a&&a"r, $e " dee#ly outraged by t$e t$oug$t t$at $" w"&e could be un&a"t$&ul to $"!.
,e &orce t$e grou# to dr")e "nto 5ew 6or+ 7"ty, w$ere $e con&ront ?atby "n a u"te at t$e
Pla>a ,otel. ;o! aert t$at $e and Ga"y $a)e a $"tory t$at ?atby could ne)er undertand,
and $e announce to $" w"&e t$at ?atby " a cr"!"nalK$" &ortune co!e &ro! bootlegg"ng
alco$ol and ot$er "llegal act")"t"e. Ga"y real">e t$at $er alleg"ance " to ;o!, and ;o!
conte!#tuouly end $er bac+ to Eat Egg w"t$ ?atby, atte!#t"ng to #ro)e t$at ?atby cannot
$urt $"!.
D$en 5"c+, Jordan, and ;o! dr")e t$roug$ t$e )alley o& a$e, $owe)er, t$ey d"co)er
t$at ?atbyU car $a truc+ and +"lled (yrtle, ;o!U lo)er. ;$ey ru$ bac+ to Hong 8land,
w$ere 5"c+ learn &ro! ?atby t$at Ga"y wa dr")"ng t$e car w$en "t truc+ (yrtle, but t$at
?atby "ntend to ta+e t$e bla!e. ;$e ne3t day, ;o! tell (yrtleU $uband, ?eorge, t$at ?atby
wa t$e dr")er o& t$e car. ?eorge, w$o $a lea#t to t$e conclu"on t$at t$e dr")er o& t$e car t$at
+"lled (yrtle !ut $a)e been $er lo)er, &"nd ?atby "n t$e #ool at $" !an"on and $oot $"!
dead. ,e t$en &atally $oot $"!el&.
5"c+ tage a !all &uneral &or ?atby, end $" relat"on$"# w"t$ Jordan, and !o)e bac+
to t$e ("dwet to eca#e t$e d"gut $e &eel &or t$e #eo#le urround"ng ?atbyU l"&e and &or t$e
e!#t"ne and !oral decay o& l"&e a!ong t$e wealt$y on t$e Eat 7oat. 5"c+ re&lect t$at 4ut a
?atbyU drea! o& Ga"y wa corru#ted by !oney and d"$onety, t$e A!er"can drea! o&
$a##"ne and "nd")"dual"! $a d""ntegrated "nto t$e !ere #uru"t o& wealt$. ;$oug$ ?atbyU
#ower to tran&or! $" drea! "nto real"ty " w$at !a+e $"! Sgreat,T 5"c+ re&lect t$at t$e era
o& drea!"ngKbot$ ?atbyU drea! and t$e A!er"can drea!K" o)er.
7$aracter H"t
"ic6 $arra#ay % ;$e no)elU narrator, 5"c+ " a young !an &ro! ("nneota w$o, a&ter
be"ng educated at 6ale and &"g$t"ng "n Dorld Dar 8, goe to 5ew 6or+ 7"ty to learn t$e bond
bu"ne. ,onet, tolerant, and "ncl"ned to reer)e 4udg!ent, 5"c+ o&ten er)e a a con&"dant &or
t$oe w"t$ troubl"ng ecret. A&ter !o)"ng to Det Egg, a &"ct"onal area o& Hong 8land t$at "
$o!e to t$e newly r"c$, 5"c+ Cu"c+ly be&r"end $" ne3t%door ne"g$bor, t$e !yter"ou Jay
?atby. A Ga"y *uc$ananU cou"n, $e &ac"l"tate t$e re+"ndl"ng o& t$e ro!ance between $er
and ?atby. The Great Gats.y " told ent"rely t$roug$ 5"c+U eye< $" t$oug$t and #erce#t"on
$a#e and color t$e tory.
1ay Gats0y % ;$e t"tle c$aracter and #rotagon"t o& t$e no)el, ?atby " a &abulouly
wealt$y young !an l")"ng "n a ?ot$"c !an"on "n Det Egg. ,e " &a!ou &or t$e la)"$ #art"e
$e t$row e)ery =aturday n"g$t, but no one +now w$ere $e co!e &ro!, w$at $e doe, or $ow
$e !ade $" &ortune. A t$e no)el #rogree, 5"c+ learn t$at ?atby wa born Ja!e ?at> on a
&ar! "n 5ort$ Ga+ota< wor+"ng &or a !"ll"ona"re !ade $"! ded"cate $" l"&e to t$e ac$"e)e!ent o&
wealt$. D$en $e !et Ga"y w$"le tra"n"ng to be an o&&"cer "n Hou")"lle, $e &ell "n lo)e w"t$ $er.
5"c+ alo learn t$at ?atby !ade $" &ortune t$roug$ cr"!"nal act")"ty, a $e wa w"ll"ng to do
anyt$"ng to ga"n t$e oc"al #o"t"on $e t$oug$t neceary to w"n Ga"y. 5"c+ )"ew ?atby a a
53
dee#ly &lawed !an, d"$onet and )ulgar, w$oe e3traord"nary o#t"!"! and #ower to tran&or!
$" drea! "nto real"ty !a+e $"! SgreatT nonet$ele.
.aisy /uchanan % 5"c+U cou"n, and t$e wo!an ?atby lo)e. A a young wo!an "n
Hou")"lle be&ore t$e war, Ga"y wa courted by a nu!ber o& o&&"cer, "nclud"ng ?atby. =$e &ell
"n lo)e w"t$ ?atby and #ro!"ed to wa"t &or $"!. ,owe)er, Ga"y $arbor a dee# need to be
lo)ed, and w$en a wealt$y, #ower&ul young !an na!ed ;o! *uc$anan a+ed $er to !arry $"!,
Ga"y dec"ded not to wa"t &or ?atby a&ter all. 5ow a beaut"&ul oc"al"te, Ga"y l")e w"t$ ;o!
acro &ro! ?atby "n t$e &a$"onable Eat Egg d"tr"ct o& Hong 8land. =$e " ardon"c and
o!ew$at cyn"cal, and be$a)e u#er&"c"ally to !a+ $er #a"n at $er $ubandU contant
"n&"del"ty.
Tom /uchanan % Ga"yU "!!enely wealt$y $uband, once a !e!ber o& 5"c+U oc"al
club at 6ale. Power&ully bu"lt and $a"l"ng &ro! a oc"ally ol"d old &a!"ly, ;o! " an arrogant,
$y#ocr"t"cal bully. ," oc"al att"tude are laced w"t$ rac"! and e3"!, and $e ne)er e)en
con"der try"ng to l")e u# to t$e !oral tandard $e de!and &ro! t$oe around $"!. ,e $a no
!oral Cual! about $" own e3tra!ar"tal a&&a"r w"t$ (yrtle, but w$en $e beg"n to u#ect Ga"y
and ?atby o& $a)"ng an a&&a"r, $e beco!e outraged and &orce a con&rontat"on.
1ordan /a6er % Ga"yU &r"end, a wo!an w"t$ w$o! 5"c+ beco!e ro!ant"cally
"n)ol)ed dur"ng t$e coure o& t$e no)el. A co!#et"t")e gol&er, Jordan re#reent one o& t$e Snew
wo!enT o& t$e 1910Kcyn"cal, boy"$, and el&%centered. Jordan " beaut"&ul, but alo d"$onetE
$e c$eated "n order to w"n $er &"rt gol& tourna!ent and cont"nually bend t$e trut$.
Myrtle 2ilson % ;o!U lo)er, w$oe l"&ele $uband ?eorge own a run%down garage
"n t$e )alley o& a$e. (yrtle $erel& #oee a &"erce )"tal"ty and de#erately loo+ &or a way to
"!#ro)e $er "tuat"on. 0n&ortunately &or $er, $e c$ooe ;o!, w$o treat $er a a !ere ob4ect o&
$" de"re.
George 2ilson % (yrtleU $uband, t$e l"&ele, e3$auted owner o& a run%down auto
$o# at t$e edge o& t$e )alley o& a$e. ?eorge lo)e and "deal">e (yrtle, and " de)atated by
$er a&&a"r w"t$ ;o!. ?eorge " conu!ed w"t$ gr"e& w$en (yrtle " +"lled. ?eorge " co!#arable
to ?atby "n t$at bot$ are drea!er and bot$ are ru"ned by t$e"r unreCu"ted lo)e &or wo!en w$o
lo)e ;o!.
;#l Eyes % ;$e eccentr"c, be#ectacled drun+ w$o! 5"c+ !eet at t$e &"rt #arty $e
attend at ?atbyU !an"on. 5"c+ &"nd Owl Eye loo+"ng t$roug$ ?atbyU l"brary, aton"$ed
t$at t$e boo+ are real.
Cli(s(ringer % ;$e $allow &reeloader w$o ee! al!ot to l")e at ?atbyU !an"on,
ta+"ng ad)antage o& $" $otU !oney. A oon a ?atby d"e, Fl"##r"nger d"a##earK$e doe
not attend t$e &uneral, but $e doe call 5"c+ about a #a"r o& tenn" $oe t$at $e le&t at ?atbyU
!an"on.
Meyer 2olfsheim % ?atbyU &r"end, a #ro!"nent &"gure "n organ">ed cr"!e. *e&ore t$e
e)ent o& t$e no)el ta+e #lace, Dol&$e"! $el#ed ?atby to !a+e $" &ortune bootlegg"ng "llegal
l"Cuor. ," cont"nued acCua"ntance w"t$ ?atby ugget t$at ?atby " t"ll "n)ol)ed "n "llegal
bu"ne.
Themes
;$e!e are t$e &unda!ental and o&ten un")eral "dea e3#lored "n a l"terary wor+.
;$e Gecl"ne o& t$e A!er"can Grea! "n t$e 1910
On t$e ur&ace, The Great Gats.y " a tory o& t$e t$warted lo)e between a !an and a
wo!an. ;$e !a"n t$e!e o& t$e no)el, $owe)er, enco!#ae a !uc$ larger, le ro!ant"c co#e.
;$oug$ all o& "t act"on ta+e #lace o)er a !ere &ew !ont$ dur"ng t$e u!!er o& 1911 and "
et "n a c"rcu!cr"bed geogra#$"cal area "n t$e )"c"n"ty o& Hong 8land, 5ew 6or+, The Great
Gats.y " a $"g$ly y!bol"c !ed"tat"on on 1910 A!er"ca a a w$ole, "n #art"cular t$e
d""ntegrat"on o& t$e A!er"can drea! "n an era o& un#recedented #ro#er"ty and !ater"al e3ce.
54
."t>gerald #ortray t$e 1910 a an era o& decayed oc"al and !oral )alue, e)"denced "n
"t o)erarc$"ng cyn"c"!, greed, and e!#ty #uru"t o& #leaure. ;$e rec+le 4ub"lance t$at led to
decadent #art"e and w"ld 4a>> !u"cKe#"to!">ed "n The Great Gats.y by t$e o#ulent #art"e
t$at ?atby t$row e)ery =aturday n"g$tKreulted ult"!ately "n t$e corru#t"on o& t$e A!er"can
drea!, a t$e unretra"ned de"re &or !oney and #leaure ur#aed !ore noble goal. D$en
Dorld Dar 8 ended "n 1918, t$e generat"on o& young A!er"can w$o $ad &oug$t t$e war beca!e
"ntenely d""llu"oned, a t$e brutal carnage t$at t$ey $ad 4ut &aced !ade t$e /"ctor"an oc"al
!oral"ty o& early%twent"et$%century A!er"ca ee! l"+e tu&&y, e!#ty $y#ocr"y. ;$e d">>y"ng r"e
o& t$e toc+ !ar+et "n t$e a&ter!at$ o& t$e war led to a udden, uta"ned "ncreae "n t$e nat"onal
wealt$ and a new&ound !ater"al"!, a #eo#le began to #end and conu!e at un#recedented
le)el. A #eron &ro! any oc"al bac+ground could, #otent"ally, !a+e a &ortune, but t$e A!er"can
ar"tocracyK&a!"l"e w"t$ old wealt$Kcorned t$e newly r"c$ "ndutr"al"t and #eculator.
Add"t"onally, t$e #aage o& t$e E"g$teent$ A!end!ent "n 1919, w$"c$ banned t$e ale o&
alco$ol, created a t$r")"ng underworld de"gned to at"&y t$e !a")e de!and &or bootleg l"Cuor
a!ong r"c$ and #oor al"+e.
."t>gerald #o"t"on t$e c$aracter o& The Great Gats.y a e!ble! o& t$ee oc"al
trend. 5"c+ and ?atby, bot$ o& w$o! &oug$t "n Dorld Dar 8, e3$"b"t t$e new&ound
co!o#ol"tan"! and cyn"c"! t$at reulted &ro! t$e war. ;$e )ar"ou oc"al cl"!ber and
a!b"t"ou #eculator w$o attend ?atbyU #art"e e)"dence t$e greedy cra!ble &or wealt$. ;$e
cla$ between Sold !oneyT and Snew !oneyT !an"&et "tel& "n t$e no)elU y!bol"c
geogra#$yE Eat Egg re#reent t$e etabl"$ed ar"tocracy, Det Egg t$e el&%!ade r"c$. (eyer
Dol&$"e! and ?atbyU &ortune y!bol">e t$e r"e o& organ">ed cr"!e and bootlegg"ng.
A ."t>gerald aw "t (and a 5"c+ e3#la"n "n 7$a#ter 9), t$e A!er"can drea! wa
or"g"nally about d"co)ery, "nd")"dual"!, and t$e #uru"t o& $a##"ne. 8n t$e 1910 de#"cted "n
t$e no)el, $owe)er, eay !oney and rela3ed oc"al )alue $a)e corru#ted t$" drea!, e#ec"ally
on t$e Eat 7oat. ;$e !a"n #lotl"ne o& t$e no)el re&lect t$" ae!ent, a ?atbyU drea! o&
lo)"ng Ga"y " ru"ned by t$e d"&&erence "n t$e"r re#ect")e oc"al tatue, $" reort"ng to cr"!e
to !a+e enoug$ !oney to "!#re $er, and t$e ra!#ant !ater"al"! t$at c$aracter">e $er
l"&etyle. Add"t"onally, #lace and ob4ect "n The Great Gats.y $a)e !ean"ng only becaue
c$aracter "nt"ll t$e! w"t$ !ean"ngE t$e eye o& Goctor ;. J. Ec+leburg bet e3e!#l"&y t$" "dea.
8n 5"c+U !"nd, t$e ab"l"ty to create !ean"ng&ul y!bol cont"tute a central co!#onent o& t$e
A!er"can drea!, a early A!er"can "n)eted t$e"r new nat"on w"t$ t$e"r own "deal and )alue.
5"c+ co!#are t$e green bul+ o& A!er"ca r""ng &ro! t$e ocean to t$e green l"g$t at t$e
end o& Ga"yU doc+. Jut a A!er"can $a)e g")en A!er"ca !ean"ng t$roug$ t$e"r drea! &or
t$e"r own l")e, ?atby "nt"ll Ga"y w"t$ a +"nd o& "deal">ed #er&ect"on t$at $e ne"t$er deer)e
nor #oee. ?atbyU drea! " ru"ned by t$e unwort$"ne o& "t ob4ect, 4ut a t$e A!er"can
drea! "n t$e 1910 " ru"ned by t$e unwort$"ne o& "t ob4ectK!oney and #leaure. H"+e 1910
A!er"can "n general, &ru"tlely ee+"ng a bygone era "n w$"c$ t$e"r drea! $ad )alue, ?atby
long to re%create a )an"$ed #atK$" t"!e "n Hou")"lle w"t$ Ga"yKbut " "nca#able o& do"ng
o. D$en $" drea! cru!ble, all t$at " le&t &or ?atby to do " d"e< all 5"c+ can do " !o)e bac+
to ("nneota, w$ere A!er"can )alue $a)e not decayed.
;$e ,ollowne o& t$e 0##er 7la
One o& t$e !a4or to#"c e3#lored "n The Great Gats.y " t$e oc"ology o& wealt$,
#ec"&"cally, $ow t$e newly !"nted !"ll"ona"re o& t$e 1910 d"&&er &ro! and relate to t$e old
ar"tocracy o& t$e countryU r"c$et &a!"l"e. 8n t$e no)el, Det Egg and "t den">en re#reent t$e
newly r"c$, w$"le Eat Egg and "t den">en, e#ec"ally Ga"y and ;o!, re#reent t$e old
ar"tocracy. ."t>gerald #ortray t$e newly r"c$ a be"ng )ulgar, gaudy, otentat"ou, and lac+"ng
"n oc"al grace and tate. ?atby, &or e3a!#le, l")e "n a !ontrouly ornate !an"on, wear a
55
#"n+ u"t, dr")e a 'oll%'oyce, and doe not #"c+ u# on ubtle oc"al "gnal, uc$ a t$e
"n"ncer"ty o& t$e =loaneU "n)"tat"on to lunc$. 8n contrat, t$e old ar"tocracy #oee grace,
tate, ubtlety, and elegance, e#"to!">ed by t$e *uc$ananU tate&ul $o!e and t$e &low"ng w$"te
dree o& Ga"y and Jordan *a+er.
D$at t$e old ar"tocracy #oee "n tate, $owe)er, "t ee! to lac+ "n $eart, a t$e Eat
Egger #ro)e t$e!el)e carele, "ncon"derate bull"e w$o are o ued to !oneyU ab"l"ty to
eae t$e"r !"nd t$at t$ey ne)er worry about $urt"ng ot$er. ;$e *uc$anan e3e!#l"&y t$"
tereoty#e w$en, at t$e end o& t$e no)el, t$ey "!#ly !o)e to a new $oue &ar away rat$er t$an
condecend to attend ?atbyU &uneral. ?atby, on t$e ot$er $and, w$oe recent wealt$ der")e
&ro! cr"!"nal act")"ty, $a a "ncere and loyal $eart, re!a"n"ng out"de Ga"yU w"ndow unt"l &our
"n t$e !orn"ng "n 7$a#ter 7 "!#ly to !a+e ure t$at ;o! doe not $urt $er. 8ron"cally, ?atbyU
good Cual"t"e (loyalty and lo)e) lead to $" deat$, a $e ta+e t$e bla!e &or +"ll"ng (yrtle rat$er
t$an lett"ng Ga"y be #un"$ed, and t$e *uc$ananU bad Cual"t"e (&"c+lene and el&"$ne)
allow t$e! to re!o)e t$e!el)e &ro! t$e tragedy not only #$y"cally but #yc$olog"cally.
Motifs
(ot"& are recurr"ng tructure, contrat, and l"terary de)"ce t$at can $el# to de)elo#
and "n&or! t$e te3tU !a4or t$e!e.
?eogra#$y
;$roug$out t$e no)el, #lace and ett"ng e#"to!">e t$e )ar"ou a#ect o& t$e 1910
A!er"can oc"ety t$at ."t>gerald de#"ct. Eat Egg re#reent t$e old ar"tocracy, Det Egg t$e
newly r"c$, t$e )alley o& a$e t$e !oral and oc"al decay o& A!er"ca, and 5ew 6or+ 7"ty t$e
un"n$"b"ted, a!oral Cuet &or !oney and #leaure. Add"t"onally, t$e Eat " connected to t$e
!oral decay and oc"al cyn"c"! o& 5ew 6or+, w$"le t$e Det ("nclud"ng ("dwetern and
nort$ern area uc$ a ("nneota) " connected to !ore trad"t"onal oc"al )alue and "deal.
5"c+U analy" "n 7$a#ter 9 o& t$e tory $e $a related re)eal $" en"t")"ty to t$" d"c$oto!yE
t$oug$ "t " et "n t$e Eat, t$e tory " really one o& t$e Det, a "t tell $ow #eo#le or"g"nally
&ro! wet o& t$e A##alac$"an (a all o& t$e !a"n c$aracter are) react to t$e #ace and tyle o&
l"&e on t$e Eat 7oat.
Deat$er
A "n !uc$ o& =$a+e#eareU wor+, t$e weat$er "n The Great Gats.y un&a"l"ngly !atc$e
t$e e!ot"onal and narrat")e tone o& t$e tory. ?atby and Ga"yU reun"on beg"n a!"d a #our"ng
ra"n, #ro)"ng aw+ward and !elanc$oly< t$e"r lo)e reawa+en 4ut a t$e un beg"n to co!e out.
?atbyU cl"!act"c con&rontat"on w"t$ ;o! occur on t$e $ottet day o& t$e u!!er, under t$e
corc$"ng un (l"+e t$e &atal encounter between (ercut"o and ;ybalt "n 'o!eo and Jul"et).
D"lon +"ll ?atby on t$e &"rt day o& autu!n, a ?atby &loat "n $" #ool de#"te a #al#able
c$"ll "n t$e a"rKa y!bol"c atte!#t to to# t"!e and retore $" relat"on$"# w"t$ Ga"y to t$e
way "t wa &")e year be&ore, "n 1917.
Symbols
=y!bol are ob4ect, c$aracter, &"gure, and color ued to re#reent abtract "dea or
conce#t.
;$e ?reen H"g$t
="tuated at t$e end o& Ga"yU Eat Egg doc+ and barely )""ble &ro! ?atbyU Det Egg
lawn, t$e green l"g$t re#reent ?atbyU $o#e and drea! &or t$e &uture. ?atby aoc"ate "t
w"t$ Ga"y, and "n 7$a#ter 1 $e reac$e toward "t "n t$e dar+ne a a gu"d"ng l"g$t to lead $"! to
$" goal. *ecaue ?atbyU Cuet &or Ga"y " broadly aoc"ated w"t$ t$e A!er"can drea!, t$e
green l"g$t alo y!bol">e t$at !ore general">ed "deal. 8n 7$a#ter 9, 5"c+ co!#are t$e green
l"g$t to $ow A!er"ca, r""ng out o& t$e ocean, !ut $a)e loo+ed to early ettler o& t$e new
nat"on.
56
;$e /alley o& A$e
."rt "ntroduced "n 7$a#ter 1, t$e )alley o& a$e between Det Egg and 5ew 6or+ 7"ty
con"t o& a long tretc$ o& deolate land created by t$e du!#"ng o& "ndutr"al a$e. 8t
re#reent t$e !oral and oc"al decay t$at reult &ro! t$e un"n$"b"ted #uru"t o& wealt$, a t$e
r"c$ "ndulge t$e!el)e w"t$ regard &or not$"ng but t$e"r own #leaure. ;$e )alley o& a$e alo
y!bol">e t$e #l"g$t o& t$e #oor, l"+e ?eorge D"lon, w$o l")e a!ong t$e d"rty a$e and loe
t$e"r )"tal"ty a a reult.
;$e Eye o& Goctor ;. J. Ec+leburg
;$e eye o& Goctor ;. J. Ec+leburg are a #a"r o& &ad"ng, be#ectacled eye #a"nted on an
old ad)ert""ng b"llboard o)er t$e )alley o& a$e. ;$ey !ay re#reent ?od tar"ng down u#on
and 4udg"ng A!er"can oc"ety a a !oral wateland, t$oug$ t$e no)el ne)er !a+e t$" #o"nt
e3#l"c"tly. 8ntead, t$roug$out t$e no)el, ."t>gerald ugget t$at y!bol only $a)e !ean"ng
becaue c$aracter "nt"ll t$e! w"t$ !ean"ng. ;$e connect"on between t$e eye o& Goctor ;. J.
Ec+leburg and ?od e3"t only "n ?eorge D"lonU gr"e&%tr"c+en !"nd. ;$" lac+ o& concrete
"gn"&"cance contr"bute to t$e unettl"ng nature o& t$e "!age. ;$u, t$e eye alo co!e to
re#reent t$e eent"al !ean"nglene o& t$e world and t$e arb"trar"ne o& t$e !ental #roce
by w$"c$ #eo#le "n)et ob4ect w"t$ !ean"ng. 5"c+ e3#lore t$ee "dea "n 7$a#ter 8, w$en $e
"!ag"ne ?atbyU &"nal t$oug$t a a de#reed con"derat"on o& t$e e!#t"ne o& y!bol and
drea!.
57
D !laughterhouse-Fi-e
Curt Bonnegut
$onte%t
Furt /onnegut, Jr. wa born "n 8nd"ana#ol" "n 1911, a decendant o& #ro!"nent ?er!an%
A!er"can &a!"l"e. ," &at$er wa an arc$"tect and $" !ot$er wa a noted beauty. *ot$ #o+e
?er!an &luently but decl"ned to teac$ Furt t$e language "n l"g$t o& w"de#read ant"%?er!an
ent"!ent &ollow"ng Dorld Dar 8. .a!"ly !oney $el#ed end /onnegutU two "bl"ng to #r")ate
c$ool. ;$e ?reat Ge#re"on $"t $ard "n t$e 1990, t$oug$, and t$e &a!"ly #laced Furt "n #ubl"c
c$ool w$"le "t !o)ed to !ore !odet acco!!odat"on. D$"le "n $"g$ c$ool, /onnegut ed"ted
t$e c$oolU da"ly new#a#er. ,e attended college at 7ornell &or a l"ttle o)er two year, w"t$
"ntruct"on &ro! $" &at$er and brot$er to tudy c$e!"try, a ub4ect at w$"c$ $e d"d not e3cel.
,e alo wrote &or t$e %ornell 6aily Sun, 8n 1949 $e enl"ted "n t$e 0.=. Ar!y. 8n 1944 $"
!ot$er co!!"tted u"c"de, and /onnegut wa ta+en #r"oner &ollow"ng t$e *attle o& t$e *ulge, "n
t$e Ardenne .oret o& *elg"u!.
A&ter t$e war, /onnegut !arr"ed and entered a !aterU degree #rogra! "n ant$ro#ology
at t$e 0n")er"ty o& 7$"cago. ,e alo wor+ed a a re#orter &or t$e 7$"cago 7"ty 5ew *ureau.
," !aterU t$e", t"tled *luctuations "et+een Good and )vil in Simple Tales, wa re4ected. ,e
de#arted &or =c$enectady, 5ew 6or+, to ta+e a 4ob "n #ubl"c relat"on at a ?eneral Electr"c
reearc$ laboratory.
/onnegut le&t ?E "n 19:1 to de)ote $"!el& &ull%t"!e to wr"t"ng. Gur"ng t$e 19:0,
/onnegut #ubl"$ed $ort tor"e "n nat"onal !aga>"ne. Player Piano, $" &"rt no)el, a##eared "n
19:1. Sirens of Titan wa #ubl"$ed "n 19:9, &ollowed by !other Night (19A1), %at1s %radle
(19A9), God "less 9ou, !r, /ose3+ater (19A:), and $" !ot $"g$ly #ra"ed wor+,
Slaughterhouse3*ive (19A9). /onnegut wrote #rol"&"cally unt"l $" deat$ "n 1007.
Slaughterhouse3*ive treat one o& t$e !ot $orr"&"c !aacre "n Euro#ean $"toryKt$e
Dorld Dar 88 &"rebo!b"ng o& Greden, a c"ty "n eatern ?er!any, on .ebruary 19, 194:Kw"t$
!oc+%er"ou $u!or and clear ant"war ent"!ent. (ore t$an 190,000 c")"l"an d"ed "n Greden,
roug$ly t$e a!e nu!ber o& deat$ t$at reulted &ro! t$e All"ed bo!b"ng ra"d on ;o+yo and
&ro! t$e ato!"c bo!b dro##ed on ,"ro$"!a, bot$ o& w$"c$ alo occurred "n 194:. 8n$ab"tant
o& Greden were "nc"nerated or u&&ocated "n a !atter o& $our a a &"retor! uc+ed u# and
conu!ed a)a"lable o3ygen. ;$e cene on t$e ground wa one o& un"!ag"nable detruct"on.
;$e no)el " baed on Furt /onnegutU own e3#er"ence "n Dorld Dar 88. 8n t$e no)el, a
#r"oner o& war w"tnee and ur)")e t$e All"ed &orceU &"rebo!b"ng o& Greden. /onnegut, l"+e
$" #ro%tagon"t *"lly P"lgr"!, e!erged &ro! a !eat loc+er beneat$ a laug$ter%$oue "nto t$e
!oonca#e o& burned%out Greden. ," ur)")"ng ca#tor #ut $"! to wor+ &"nd"ng, bury"ng, and
burn"ng bod"e. ," ta+ cont"nued unt"l t$e 'u"an ca!e and t$e war ended. /onnegut
ur)")ed by c$ance, con&"ned a a #r"oner o& war (POD) "n a well%"nulated !eat loc+er, and o
!"ed t$e catacly!"c !o!ent o& attac+, e!erg"ng t$e day a&ter "nto t$e c$arred ru"n o& a once%
beaut"&ul c"tyca#e. /onnegut $a a"d t$at $e alway "ntended to wr"te about t$e e3#er"ence but
&ound $"!el& "nca#able o& do"ng o &or !ore t$an twenty year. Alt$oug$ $e atte!#ted to
58
decr"be "n "!#le ter! w$at $a##ened and to create a l"near narrat")e, t$" trategy ne)er
wor+ed &or $"!. *"lly P"lgr"!U un$"nged t"!eK$"&t"ng, a !ec$an"! &or deal"ng w"t$ t$e
un&at$o!able aggre"on and !a detruct"on $e w"tnee, " /onnegutU olut"on to t$e
#roble! o& tell"ng an untellable tale.
/onnegut wrote Slaughterhouse3*ive a a re#one to war. S8t " o $ort and 4u!bled and
4angled,T $e e3#la"n "n 7$a#ter 1, Sbecaue t$ere " not$"ng "ntell"gent to ay about a !aacre.T
;$e 4u!bled tructure o& t$e no)el and t$e long delay between "t conce#t"on and co!#let"on
er)e a teta!ent to a )ery #eronal truggle w"t$ $eart%wrenc$"ng !ater"al. *ut t$e t"!"ng o&
t$e no)elU #ubl"cat"on alo deer)e not"ceE "n 19A9, t$e 0n"ted =tate wa "n t$e !"dt o& t$e
d"!al /"etna! Dar. /onnegut wa an out#o+en #ac"&"t and cr"t"c o& t$e con&l"ct.
Slaughterhouse3*ive re)ol)e around t$e w"ll&ul "nc"nerat"on o& 100,000 c")"l"an, "n a c"ty o&
e3tre!ely dub"ou !"l"tary "gn"&"cance, dur"ng an arguably 4ut war. A##ear"ng w$en "t d"d,
t$en, Slaughterhouse3*ive !ade a &orce&ul tate!ent about t$e ca!#a"gn "n /"etna!, a war "n
w$"c$ "ncend"ary tec$nology wa once !ore be"ng e!#loyed aga"nt non!"l"tary target "n t$e
na!e o& a dub"ou caue.
Plot O)er)"ew
Note& *"lly P"lgr"!, t$e no)elU #rotagon"t, $a beco!e Suntuc+ "n t"!e.T ,e tra)el
between A4utorul de ca#elan *"lly P"lgr"! ete un oldat a!er"can de>or"entat, &atal"t "
ne"ntru"t. Hu" nu%" #lac rM>boa"ele " ete ca#turat de ger!an" Ln t"!#ul bMtMl"e" de la *ulge "
du la o Lnc$"oare d"n Greda. ?er!an"" Ll #un #e *"lly " #e ce"lal " #r">on"er" Lntr%un abator
co d"n u> (de " e3"tM LncM carcae de an"!ale agM ate Ln adM#otul ubteran). 7lMd"rea ete
cunocutM ub nu!ele de 2=laug$ter$oue nu!ber :2 (Abatorul nu!Mrul c"nc"). ?ard"en""
ger!an" " #r">on"er"" de rM>bo" e acund L!#reunM Lntr%o #")n" M adNncM, deoarece a"c" erau cel
!a" Ln "guran M Ln t"!#ul bo!barda!entulu" " de)"n "ngur"" u#ra)"e u"tor" d"n Greda Ln al
do"lea rM>bo" !ond"al.
*"lly a4unge s< nu fie .locat =n timp " trece #r"n e)en"!ente d"n trecut " d"n )""tor Ln
!od re#etat dar nel"n"ar. El ete rM#"t de e3tratere tr"" de #e #laneta ;ral&a!adore. Ete e3#u
Lntr%o grMd"nM >oolog"cM cu o actr" M d"ntr%un &"l! #orno, (ontana D"ld$ac+. Hocu"tor"" #lanete"
;ral&a!adore #ot )edea Ln #atru d"!en"un", at&el LncNt e" au )M>ut de4a &"ecare cl"#M a )"e "" lor.
E" cred Ln #redet"nare " #un cM nu #ot alege M c$"!be n"!"c d"n det"nele lor, dar #ot alege M
e concentre>e #e or"ce !o!ent d"n )"a a lor. *"lly de)"ne con)"n de )er"d"c"tatea teor""lor
acetora.
#er"od o& $" l"&e, unable to control w$"c$ #er"od $e land "n. A a reult, t$e narrat")e "
not c$ronolog"cal or l"near. 8ntead, "t 4u!# bac+ and &ort$ "n t"!e and #lace. ;$e no)el "
tructured "n !all ect"on, eac$ e)eral #aragra#$ long, t$at decr"be )ar"ou !o!ent o& $"
l"&e.
*"lly P"lgr"! " born "n 1911 and grow u# "n 8l"u!, 5ew 6or+. A &unny%loo+"ng, wea+
yout$, $e doe reaonably well "n $"g$ c$ool, enroll "n n"g$t clae at t$e 8l"u! =c$ool o&
O#to!etry, and " dra&ted "nto t$e ar!y dur"ng Dorld Dar 88. ,e tra"n a a c$a#la"nU a"tant
"n =out$ 7arol"na, w$ere an u!#"re o&&"c"ate dur"ng #ract"ce battle and announce w$o
ur)")e and w$o d"e be&ore t$ey all "t down to lunc$ toget$er. *"llyU &at$er d"e "n a $unt"ng
acc"dent $ortly be&ore *"lly $"# o)erea to 4o"n an "n&antry reg"!ent "n Hu3e!bourg. *"lly "
t$rown "nto t$e *attle o& t$e *ulge "n *elg"u! and " "!!ed"ately ta+en #r"oner be$"nd ?er!an
l"ne. Jut be&ore $" ca#ture, $e e3#er"ence $" &"rt "nc"dent o& t"!eK$"&t"ngE $e ee t$e
ent"rety o& $" l"&e, &ro! beg"nn"ng to end, "n one wee#.
*"lly " tran#orted "n a crowded ra"lway bo3car to a POD ca!# "n ?er!any. 0#on $"
arr")al, $e and t$e ot$er #r")ate are treated to a &eat by a grou# o& &ellow #r"oner, w$o are
Engl"$ o&&"cer w$o were ca#tured earl"er "n t$e war. *"lly u&&er a brea+down and get a $ot
o& !or#$"ne t$at end $"! t"!e%tr"##"ng aga"n. =oon $e and t$e ot$er A!er"can tra)el onward
59
to t$e beaut"&ul c"ty o& Greden, t"ll relat")ely untouc$ed by wart"!e #r")at"on. ,ere t$e
#r"oner !ut wor+ &or t$e"r +ee# at )ar"ou labor, "nclud"ng t$e !anu&acture o& a nutr"t"onal
!alt yru#. ;$e"r ca!# occu#"e a &or!er laug$ter$oue. One n"g$t, All"ed &orce car#et bo!b
t$e c"ty, t$en dro# "ncend"ary bo!b to create a &"retor! t$at uc+ !ot o& t$e o3ygen "nto t$e
bla>e, a#$y3"at"ng or "nc"nerat"ng roug$ly 190,000 #eo#le. *"lly and $" &ellow POD ur)")e
"n an a"rt"g$t !eat loc+er. ;$ey e!erge to &"nd a !oonca#e o& detruct"on, w$ere t$ey are
&orced to e3ca)ate cor#e &ro! t$e rubble. =e)eral day later, 'u"an &orce ca#ture t$e c"ty,
and *"llyU "n)ol)e!ent "n t$e war end.
*"lly return to 8l"u! and &"n"$e o#to!etry c$ool. ,e get engaged to /alenc"a (erble,
t$e obee daug$ter o& t$e c$oolU &ounder. A&ter a ner)ou brea+down, *"lly co!!"t $"!el& to
a )eteranU $o#"tal and rece")e $oc+ treat!ent. Gur"ng $" tay "n t$e !ental ward, a &ellow
#at"ent "ntroduce *"lly to t$e c"ence &"ct"on no)el o& a wr"ter na!ed F"lgore ;rout. A&ter $"
recu#erat"on, *"lly get !arr"ed. ," wealt$y &at$er%"n%law et $"! u# "n t$e o#to!etry
bu"ne, and *"lly and /alenc"a ra"e two c$"ldren and grow r"c$. *"lly acCu"re t$e tra##"ng o&
t$e uburban A!er"can drea!E a 7ad"llac, a tately $o!e w"t$ !odern a##l"ance, a be4eweled
w"&e, and t$e #re"dency o& t$e H"on 7lub. ,e " not aware o& +ee#"ng any ecret &ro! $"!el&,
but at $" e"g$teent$ wedd"ng ann")erary #arty t$e "g$t o& a barber$o# Cuartet !a+e $"!
brea+ down becaue, $e real">e, "t tr"gger a !e!ory o& Greden.
;$e n"g$t a&ter $" daug$terU wedd"ng "n 19A7, a $e later re)eal on a rad"o tal+ $ow,
*"lly " +"dna##ed by two%&oot%$"g$ al"en w$o ree!ble u#"de%down to"let #lunger, w$o $e
ay are called ;ral&a!ador"an. ;$ey ta+e $"! "n t$e"r &ly"ng aucer to t$e #lanet ;ral&a!adore,
w$ere t$ey !ate $"! w"t$ a !o)"e actre na!ed (ontana D"ld$ac+. =$e, l"+e *"lly, $a been
broug$t &ro! Eart$ to l")e under a tran#arent geode"c do!e "n a >oo w$ere ;ral&a!ador"an
can ober)e e3traterretr"al cur"o"t"e. ;$e ;ral&a!ador"an e3#la"n to *"lly t$e"r #erce#t"on o&
t"!e, $ow "t ent"re wee# e3"t &or t$e! "!ultaneouly "n t$e &ourt$ d"!en"on. D$en
o!eone d"e, t$at #eron " "!#ly dead at a #art"cular t"!e. =o!ew$ere ele and at a d"&&erent
t"!e $e or $e " al")e and well. ;ral&a!ador"an #re&er to loo+ at l"&eU n"cer !o!ent.
D$en $e return to Eart$, *"lly "n"t"ally ay not$"ng o& $" e3#er"ence. 8n 19A8, $e get
on a c$artered #lane to go to an o#to!etry con&erence "n (ontreal. ;$e #lane cra$e "nto a
!ounta"n, and, a!ong t$e o#to!etr"t, only *"lly ur)")e. A bra"n urgeon o#erate on $"! "n a
/er!ont $o#"tal. On $er way to )""t $"! t$ere, /alenc"a d"e o& acc"dental carbon !ono3"de
#o"on"ng a&ter cra$"ng $er car. *"llyU daug$ter #lace $"! under t$e care o& a nure bac+ $o!e
"n 8l"u!. *ut $e &eel t$at t$e t"!e " r"#e to tell t$e world w$at $e $a learned. *"lly $a &oreeen
t$" !o!ent w$"le t"!e%tr"##"ng, and $e +now t$at $" !eage w"ll e)entually be acce#ted. ,e
nea+ o&& to 5ew 6or+ 7"ty, w$ere $e goe on a rad"o tal+ $ow. =$ortly t$erea&ter, $e wr"te a
letter to t$e local #a#er. ," daug$ter " at $er w"tU end and doe not +now w$at to do w"t$ $"!.
*"lly !a+e a ta#e record"ng o& $" account o& $" deat$, w$"c$ $e #red"ct w"ll occur "n 197A
a&ter 7$"cago $a been $ydrogen%bo!bed by t$e 7$"nee. ,e +now e3actly $ow "t w"ll $a##enE
a )enge&ul !an $e +new "n t$e war w"ll $"re o!eone to $oot $"!. *"lly add t$at $e w"ll
e3#er"ence t$e )"olet $u! o& deat$ and t$en w"ll +"# bac+ to o!e ot$er #o"nt "n $" l"&e. ,e $a
een "t all !any t"!e.
$haracter List
/illy Pilgrim % A Dorld Dar 88 )eteran, POD ur)")or o& t$e &"rebo!b"ng o& Greden,
#ro#er"ng o#to!etr"t, $uband, and &at$er. *"lly P"lgr"! " t$e #rotagon"t o& t$e no)el w$o
bel"e)e $e $a Sco!e untuc+ "n t"!e.T ,e wal+ t$roug$ a door at one !o!ent "n $" l"&e and
uddenly &"nd $"!el& "n anot$er t"!e and #lace. ," &rag!ented e3#er"ence o& t"!e tructure
t$e no)el a $ort e#"od"c )"gnette and $ow $ow t$e d"&&"culty o& recount"ng trau!at"c
e3#er"ence can reCu"re unuual l"terary tec$n"Cue.
60
Curt Bonnegut % ;$e no)elU aut$or and a !"nor c$aracter. /onnegut $"!el& wa a
#r"oner o& war dur"ng t$e &"rebo!b"ng o& Greden, and $e #er"od"cally "nert $"!el& "n t$e
narrat")e, a w$en $e beco!e t$e "ncont"nent old"er "n t$e latr"ne "n t$e ?er!an #r"on ca!#.
;$" aut$or"al #reence rea##ear t$roug$out t$e no)el, #art"cularly "n t$e re&ra"n S=o "t goeT
t$at &ollow eac$ !ent"on o& deat$. /onnegutU co!!entary a a c$aracter and an aut$or enable
a !ore &actual "nter#retat"on o& a tory t$at ee! al!ot #reternaturally &"ct"onal and add
u##ort to t$e "dea t$at uc$ &antat"cal ele!ent !ay be t$e real"ty o& a trau!at">ed !"nd.
/ernhard B ;EHare % A wart"!e #al o& /onnegut. OU,are a##ear w$en /onnegut
)""t $"! and $" w"&e "n Pennyl)an"a w$"le try"ng to do reearc$ and collect re!e!brance &or
$" Greden boo+. H"+e $" w"&e, (ary, and /onnegut $"!el&, OU,are, a non&"ct"onal c$aracter,
$el# ground Slaughterhouse3*ive "n real"ty. /onnegut actually $a t$" ot$er ur)")or o& t$e
&"rebo!b"ng contr"bute to t$e reearc$ and recollect"on #roce "n)ol)ed "n creat"ng t$e boo+,
w$"c$ allow u to ta+e t$e no)el"t"c deta"l a &act and a##rec"ate t$e t$oug$t&ul !anner "n
w$"c$ t$ey are #reented.
Mary ;EHare % *ern$ard OU,areU w"&e. (ary get u#et w"t$ /onnegut becaue $e
bel"e)e t$at $e w"ll glor"&y war "n $" no)el< /onnegut, $owe)er, #ro!"e not to do o.
Slaughterhouse3*ive " a conde!nat"on o& war, and /onnegutU dec""on to ded"cate t$e no)el "n
#art to (ary ugget $ow dee#ly $e agree w"t$ $er t$at t$e ugly trut$ about war !ut be told.
Gerhard MFller % ;$e non&"ct"onal ta3" dr")er w$o ta+e /onnegut and OU,are bac+ to
t$e"r Greden laug$ter$oue. (aller later end OU,are a 7$r"t!a card bear"ng t"d"ng o&
#eace, and /onnegut ded"cate t$e no)el "n #art to (allerKtwo "!#le geture o& y!#at$y t$at
tand out a!"d t$e no)elU #er)a")e cruelty and )"olence.
+oland 2eary % A tu#"d, cruel old"er ta+en #r"oner by t$e ?er!an along w"t$ *"lly.
0nl"+e *"lly, w$o " totally out o& #lace "n t$e war, Deary " a deluded glory%ee+er w$o &anc"e
$"!el& #art o& t$e ;$ree (u+eteer and a)e *"llyU l"&e out o& a de"re to be $ero"c.
2ild /o0 % An ar!y colonel "n t$e ?er!an ra"l yard w$o $a lot $" !"nd. D"ld *ob
a+ "& *"lly belong to $" reg"!ent w$en, "n &act, all $" !en are dead. ,e "n)"te e)eryone to
)""t $"! "n Dyo!"ng, but $" arb"trary deat$ $ow $ow t$e war !a+e uc$ geture bot$
#o"gnant and #o"ntle.
Paul La&&aro % Anot$er POD and t$e !an re#on"ble &or *"llyU deat$. Ha>>aro, a
re)enge%lo)"ng ru&&"an w"t$ cr"!"nal tendenc"e, arrange &or *"llyU aa"nat"on to a)enge
'oland DearyU deat$. Ha>>aroU deter!"nat"on to +"ll *"lly doe not create a con&l"ct between
t$e two c$aracter, $owe)er< becaue *"lly $a acce#ted t$e ;ral&a!ador"anU conce#t"on o&
nonl"near t"!e, $e " unconcerned by $" deat$.
Edgar .er0y % Anot$er ur)")or o& GredenU "nc"nerat"on. .ollow"ng t$e &"rebo!b"ng,
Gerby " entenced to d"e by &"r"ng Cuad &or #lunder"ng a tea#ot &ro! t$e wrec+age. ," deat$ "
ant"cl"!act"c, "nce *"lly doe not )"ew "t w"t$ any ene o& #at$o, but rat$er a an "ne)"tab"l"ty.
Balencia Mer0le % *"llyU #leaant, &at w"&e w$o lo)e $"! dearly. /alenc"a and *"lly
$are a well%a##o"nted $o!e and $a)e two c$"ldren toget$er, but *"lly con"tently d"tance
$"!el& &ro! $" &a!"ly.
Tralfamadorians % Al"en $a#ed l"+e to"let #lunger, eac$ w"t$ one $and conta"n"ng an
eye "n "t #al!. ;$e ;ral&a!ador"anU #$"loo#$"e o& t"!e and deat$ "n&luence t$e narrat")e tyle
o& t$e no)el. ;$ey #erce")e t"!e a an ae!blage o& !o!ent e3"t"ng "!ultaneouly rat$er
t$an a a l"near #rogre"on, and t$e e#"od"c nature o& Slaughterhouse3*ive re&lect t$" not"on
o& t"!e. ;$e"r acce#tance o& deat$, w$"c$ *"lly e!brace, lead t$e narrator to re!ar+ "!#ly
S=o "t goeT at eac$ !ent"on o& deat$.
Eliot +ose#ater % A war )eteran w$o occu#"e t$e bed near *"lly "n t$e !ental ward o&
a )eteranU $o#"tal. H"+e *"lly, 'oewater " u&&er"ng &ro! t$e a&tere&&ect o& war, and $e &"nd
eca#eKand $el# *"lly &"nd eca#eK"n t$e c"ence%&"ct"on no)el o& F"lgore ;rout.
61
Cilgore Trout % A b"tter, una##rec"ated aut$or o& e)eral cle)erly "ron"c c"ence%&"ct"on
no)el t$at $a)e a great "n&luence on *"lly. ;rout, w$o a##ear "n !any o& /onnegutU wor+,
&unct"on a /onnegutU alter ego.
Ho#ard 2 $am(0ell3 1r % An A!er"can w$o $a beco!e a 5a>". 7a!#bell #ea+ to
t$e #r"oner "n t$e laug$ter$oue and tr"e to recru"t t$e! &or S;$e .ree A!er"can 7or#,T a
?er!an ar!y un"t t$at $e " &or!"ng to &"g$t t$e 'u"an. 7a!#bell re#reent all t$at " wrong
w"t$ war< $e de"re to ue #eo#le &or #er)ere "deolog"cal end.
2erner Gluc6 % A young ?er!an guard at t$e laug$ter$oue. ?luc+ get $" &"rt
gl"!#e o& a na+ed wo!an along w"t$ *"lly. ;$e"r $ared "ntr"gue and "nteret "n t$e na+ed
&e!ale body un"te t$ee two !en &ro! d"&&erent "de, re&lect"ng $ow &unda!entally $u!an
&eel"ngKuc$ a lutKcan tru!# d"&&erence o& #ol"t"cal "deology.
Montana 2ildhac6 % A nub"le young actre w$o " +"dna##ed by t$e ;ral&a!ador"an
to be *"llyU !ate "n"de t$e >oo. *"lly w"n (ontanaU trut and lo)e, and &at$er a c$"ld by $er
"n ;ral&a!adore. *ut *"lly l"+ely " delu"onal about $" e3#er"ence w"t$ (ontana, w$oe
#reence !ay $a)e been "!ag"nat")ely tr"ggered by a )""t to an adult boo+tore "n ;"!e =Cuare,
w$ere $e ee $er )"deo and a $eadl"ne cla"!"ng to re)eal $er &ate.
/ar0ara Pilgrim % *"llyU daug$ter, newly !arr"ed at t$e age o& twenty%one, w$o "
&aced w"t$ t$e udden deat$ o& $er !ot$er and t$e a##arent !ental brea+down o& $er &at$er.
*arbara re#reent t$e &ollow%u# generat"on to t$e one ra)aged by Dorld Dar 88. D$"le *"llyU
ab"l"ty to &unct"on "n l"&e and be ucce&ul "n a career #a)e t$e way &or *arbaraU de)elo#!ent,
$" war trau!a and delu"on contantly &rutrate $er.
/ertram $o(eland +umfoord % A ,ar)ard $"tory #ro&eor and t$e o&&"c"al 0.=. A"r
.orce $"tor"an w$o " la"d u# by a +""ng acc"dent "n t$e a!e /er!ont $o#"tal a *"lly a&ter $"
#lane cra$. 'u!&oordU reluctance to bel"e)e t$at *"lly wa #reent dur"ng t$e Greden ra"d
e!bod"e t$e bureaucrat"c att"tude t$at ee+ to glor"&y t$e war and "t $eroe "ntead o&
real"t"cally #ortray"ng warU detruct")ene and "t $a#$a>ard elect"on o& ur)")or.
Lily +umfoord % 'u!&oordU young tro#$y w"&e and reearc$ a"tant. H"ly 'u!&oord
" &r"g$tened o& *"lly, but $e l"e "lent "n t$e ne3t bed a a y!bol o& t$e co#e o& #owerlene
and lac+ o& &ree w"ll.
+o0ert Pilgrim % *"llyU on, w$o " a &a"lure and a del"nCuent at c$ool, t$oug$ $e
clean u# $" l"&e enoug$ to beco!e a ?reen *eret "n t$e /"etna! Dar. 'obertU #reence "n t$e
tory dur"ng *"llyU later l"&e $el# "llutrate t$e #er)a")ene o& *"llyU war trau!a, e#ec"ally
$" "nab"l"ty to co!!un"cate and relate to $" own on. 'obertU ucce&ul el&%re&or!at"on &ro!
del"nCuency to d"c"#l"ne ("n /"etna!) ee! to "nd"cate /onnegutU acce#tance o& t$e
"ne)"tab"l"ty o& war.
/illyEs mother % *"llyU !ot$er " decr"bed a a wo!an Stry"ng to contruct a l"&e t$at
!ade ene &ro! t$"ng $e &ound "n g"&t $o#T ($e once $ung a gr"ly cruc"&"3 "n *"llyU roo!
but ne)er 4o"ned a c$urc$ becaue $e couldnUt ettle on a deno!"nat"on). =$e )""t *"lly "n t$e
!ental $o#"tal, and $er #reence e!barrae $"! becaue $e &eel l"+e an ungrate&ul on &or
be"ng "nd"&&erent to l"&e.
/illyEs father % *"llyU &at$er t$row young *"lly "nto t$e 6(7A #ool to teac$ $"! $ow
to w"!. *"lly #re&er t$e botto! o& t$e #ool, but $e " recued unw"ll"ngly &ro! drown"ng a&ter
$e loe conc"oune. ;$" "nc"dent "n"t"ate t$e no)elU t$e!e o& t$e "lluory nature o&
&ree w"ll.
Themes
;$e Getruct")ene o& Dar
D$et$er we read Slaughterhouse3*ive a a c"ence%&"ct"on no)el or a Cua"%
autob"ogra#$"cal !oral tate!ent, we cannot "gnore t$e detruct")e #ro#ert"e o& war, "nce t$e
catatro#$"c &"rebo!b"ng o& t$e ?er!an town o& Greden dur"ng Dorld Dar 88 "tuate all o& t$e
62
ot$er ee!"ngly rando! e)ent. .ro! $" w"!!"ng leon at t$e 6(7A to $" #eec$e at t$e
H"on 7lub to $" ca#t")"ty "n ;ral&a!adore, *"lly P"lgr"! $"&t "n and out o& t$e !eat loc+er "n
Greden, w$ere $e )ery narrowly ur)")e a#$y3"at"on and "nc"nerat"on "n a c"ty w$ere &"re "
ra"n"ng &ro! t$e +y.
,owe)er, t$e not%o%ubtle detruct")ene o& t$e war " e)o+ed "n ubtle way. .or
"ntance, *"lly " Cu"te ucce&ul "n $" #otwar e3#lo"t &ro! a !ater"al"t"c #o"nt o& )"ewE $e "
#re"dent o& t$e H"on 7lub, wor+ a a #ro#erou o#to!etr"t, l")e "n a t$oroug$ly co!&ortable
!odern $o!e, and $a &at$ered two c$"ldren. D$"le *"lly ee! to $a)e led a #roduct")e #otwar
l"&e, t$ee ee!"ng !ar+er o& ucce #ea+ only to "t ur&ace. ,e get $" 4ob not becaue o&
any #art"cular #rowe but a a reult o& $" &at$er%"n%lawU e&&ort. (ore "!#ortant, at one #o"nt
"n t$e no)el, *"lly wal+ "n on $" on and real">e t$at t$ey are un&a!"l"ar w"t$ eac$ ot$er.
*eneat$ t$e #lendor o& $" ucce l"e a !an too war%torn to undertand "t. 8n &act, *"llyU
na!e, a d"!"nut")e &or! o& D"ll"a!, "nd"cate t$at $e " !ore an "!!ature boy t$an a !an.
/onnegut, t$en, "n4ect t$e c"ence%&"ct"on t$read, "nclud"ng t$e ;ral&a!ador"an, to
"nd"cate $ow greatly t$e war $a d"ru#ted *"llyU e3"tence. 8t ee! t$at *"lly !ay be
$alluc"nat"ng about $" e3#er"ence w"t$ t$e ;ral&a!ador"an a a way to eca#e a world
detroyed by warKa world t$at $e cannot undertand. .urt$er!ore, t$e ;ral&a!ador"an t$eory o&
t$e &ourt$ d"!en"on ee! too con)en"ent a de)"ce to be !ore t$an 4ut a way &or *"lly to
rat"onal">e all t$e deat$ w"t$ $e $a een &ace%to%&ace. *"lly, t$en, " a trau!at">ed !an w$o
cannot co!e to ter! w"t$ t$e detruct")ene o& war w"t$out "n)o+"ng a &ar%&etc$ed and
"!#o"ble t$eory to w$"c$ $e can $a#e t$e world.
;$e 8llu"on o& .ree D"ll
8n Slaughterhouse3*ive, /onnegut ut"l">e t$e ;ral&a!ador"an, w"t$ t$e"r aburdly
$u!orou to"let%#lunger $a#e, to d"cu t$e #$"loo#$"cal Cuet"on o& w$et$er &ree w"ll e3"t.
;$ee al"en l")e w"t$ t$e +nowledge o& t$e &ourt$ d"!en"on, w$"c$, t$ey ay, conta"n all
!o!ent o& t"!e occurr"ng and reoccurr"ng endlely and "!ultaneouly. *ecaue t$ey bel"e)e
t$at all !o!ent o& t"!e $a)e already $a##ened ("nce all !o!ent re#eat t$e!el)e endlely),
t$ey #oe an att"tude o& acce#tance about t$e"r &ate, &"gur"ng t$at t$ey are #owerle to
c$ange t$e!. Only on Eart$, accord"ng to t$e ;ral&a!ador"an, " t$ere tal+ o& &ree w"ll, "nce
$u!an, t$ey cla"!, !"ta+enly t$"n+ o& t"!e a a l"near #rogre"on.
;$roug$out $" l"&e, *"lly run u# aga"nt &orce t$at counter $" &ree w"ll. D$en *"lly " a
c$"ld, $" &at$er let $"! "n+ "nto t$e dee# end o& a #ool "n order to teac$ $"! $ow to w"!.
(uc$ to $" &at$erU d"!ay, $owe)er, *"lly #re&er t$e botto! o& t$e #ool, but, aga"nt $" &ree
w"ll to tay t$ere, $e " recued. Hater, *"lly " dra&ted "nto t$e war aga"nt $" w"ll. E)en a a
old"er, *"lly " a 4o+e, lac+"ng tra"n"ng, u##l"e, and #ro#er clot$"ng. ,e bob along l"+e a
#u##et "n Hu3e!bourg, $" c")"l"an $oe &la##"ng on $" &eet, and !arc$e t$roug$ t$e treet o&
Greden dra#ed "n t$e re!a"n o& t$e cenery &ro! a #roduct"on o& %inderella,
E)en w$"le /onnegut ad!"t t$e "ne)"tab"l"ty o& deat$, w"t$ or w"t$out war, $e alo tell
u t$at $e $a "ntructed $" on not to #art"c"#ate "n !aacre or "n t$e !anu&acture o&
!ac$"nery ued to carry t$e! out. *ut act"ng a "& &ree w"ll e3"t doe not !ean t$at "t actually
doe. A *"lly learn to acce#t t$e ;ral&a!ador"an teac$"ng, we ee $ow $" act"on "nd"cate t$e
&ut"l"ty o& &ree w"ll. E)en "& *"lly were to tra"n $ard, wear t$e #ro#er un"&or!, and be a good
old"er, $e !"g$t t"ll d"e l"+e t$e ot$er "n Greden w$o are !uc$ better old"er t$an $e. ;$at $e
ur)")e t$e "nc"dent a an "!#ro#erly tra"ned 4o+e o& a old"er " a teta!ent to t$e deter!"n"t"c
&orce t$at render &ree w"ll and $u!an e&&ort an "llu"on.
;$e 8!#ortance o& ="g$t
;rue "g$t " an "!#ortant conce#t t$at " d"&&"cult to de&"ne &or Slaughterhouse3*ive, A
an o#to!etr"t "n 8l"u!, *"lly $a t$e #ro&e"onal duty o& correct"ng t$e )""on o& $" #at"ent. 8&
we e3tend t$e "dea o& ee"ng beyond t$e l"teral co#e o& *"llyU #ro&e"on, we can ee t$at
63
/onnegut et *"lly u# w"t$ e)eral d"&&erent lene w"t$ w$"c$ to correct t$e worldU
near"g$tedne. One o& t$e way *"lly can contr"bute to t$" true "g$t " t$roug$ $" +nowledge
o& t$e &ourt$ d"!en"on, w$"c$ $e ga"n &ro! t$e al"en at ;ral&a!adore. ,e bel"e)e "n t$e
;ral&a!ador"anU )"ew o& t"!eKt$at all !o!ent o& t"!e e3"t "!ultaneouly and re#eat
t$e!el)e endlely. ,e t$u bel"e)e t$at $e +now w$at w"ll $a##en "n t$e &uture (becaue
e)eryt$"ng $a already $a##ened and w"ll cont"nue to $a##en "n t$e a!e way).
One can alo argue, $owe)er, t$at *"lly lac+ "g$t co!#letely. ,e goe to war, w"tnee
$orr"&"c e)ent, and beco!e !entally untable a a reult. ,e $a a $a+y gr"# on real"ty and at
rando! !o!ent e3#er"ence o)er#ower"ng &la$bac+ to ot$er #art o& $" l"&e. ," ene t$at
al"en $a)e ca#tured $"! and +e#t $"! "n a >oo be&ore end"ng $"! bac+ to Eart$ !ay be t$e
#roduct o& an o)eract")e "!ag"nat"on. ?")en all t$at *"lly $a been t$roug$, "t " log"cal to
bel"e)e t$at $e $a gone "nane, and "t !a+e ene to "nter#ret t$ee b">arre al"en encounter a
$alluc"natory "nc"dent tr"ggered by !undane e)ent t$at o!e$ow create an aoc"at"on w"t$
#at trau!a. Hoo+"ng at *"lly t$" way, we can ee $"! a o!eone w$o $a lot true "g$t and
l")e "n a cloud o& $alluc"nat"on and el&%doubt. =uc$ a )"ew create t$e "rony t$at one e!#loyed
to correct t$e !yo#"c )"ew o& ot$er " actually $"!el& Cu"te bl"nd.
Motifs
(ot"& are recurr"ng tructure, contrat, or l"terary de)"ce t$at can $el# to de)elo# and
"n&or! t$e te3tU !a4or t$e!e.
S=o 8t ?oeT
;$e #$rae S=o "t goeT &ollow e)ery !ent"on o& deat$ "n t$e no)el, eCual">"ng all o&
t$e!, w$et$er t$ey are natural, acc"dental, or "ntent"onal, and w$et$er t$ey occur on a !a")e
cale or on a )ery #eronal one. ;$e #$rae re&lect a +"nd o& co!&ort "n t$e ;ral&a!ador"an "dea
t$at alt$oug$ a #eron !ay be dead "n a #art"cular !o!ent, $e or $e " al")e "n all t$e ot$er
!o!ent o& $" or $er l"&e, w$"c$ coe3"t and can be )""ted o)er and o)er t$roug$ t"!e tra)el. At
t$e a!e t"!e, t$oug$, t$e re#et"t"on o& t$e #$rae +ee# a tally o& t$e cu!ulat")e &orce o& deat$
t$roug$out t$e no)el, t$u #o"nt"ng out t$e trag"c "ne)"tab"l"ty o& deat$.
;$e Preence o& t$e 5arrator a a 7$aracter
/onnegut &ra!e $" no)el w"t$ c$a#ter "n w$"c$ $e #ea+ "n $" own )o"ce about $"
e3#er"ence o& war. ;$" dec""on "nd"cate t$at t$e &"ct"on $a an "nt"!ate connect"on w"t$
/onnegutU l"&e and con)"ct"on. Once t$at connect"on " etabl"$ed, $owe)er, /onnegut bac+
o&& and let t$e tory o& *"lly P"lgr"! ta+e o)er. ;$roug$out t$e boo+, /onnegut br"e&ly "nert
$"!el& a a c$aracter "n t$e act"onE "n t$e latr"ne at t$e POD ca!#, "n t$e cor#e !"ne o&
Greden, on t$e #$one w$en $e !"ta+enly d"al *"llyU nu!ber. ;$ee a##earance anc$or
*"llyU l"&e to a larger real"ty and $"g$l"g$t $" truggle to &"t "nto t$e $u!an world.
Symbols
=y!bol are ob4ect, c$aracter, &"gure, or color ued to re#reent abtract "dea or
conce#t.
;$e *"rd D$o =ay SPoo%tee%weetIT
;$e 4abber"ng b"rd y!bol">e t$e lac+ o& anyt$"ng "ntell"gent to ay about war. *"rdong
r"ng out alone "n t$e "lence a&ter a !aacre, and SPoo3tee3+eet>T ee! about a a##ro#r"ate a
t$"ng to ay a any, "nce no word can really decr"be t$e $orror o& t$e Greden &"rebo!b"ng.
;$e b"rd "ng out"de o& *"llyU $o#"tal w"ndow and aga"n "n t$e lat l"ne o& t$e boo+, a+"ng a
Cuet"on &or w$"c$ we $a)e no anwer, 4ut a we $a)e no anwer &or $ow uc$ an atroc"ty a t$e
&"rebo!b"ng could $a##en.
;$e 7olor *lue and 8)ory
On )ar"ou occa"on "n Slaughterhouse3*ive, *"llyU bare &eet are decr"bed a be"ng
blue and ")ory, a w$en *"lly wr"te a letter "n $" bae!ent "n t$e cold and w$en $e wa"t &or t$e
64
&ly"ng aucer to +"dna# $"!. ;$ee cold, cor#el"+e $ue ugget t$e &rag"l"ty o& t$e t$"n
!e!brane between l"&e and deat$, between worldly and ot$erworldly e3#er"ence.
7.The $rying of Lot :G
Thomas Pynchon
$onte%t
;$o!a Pync$on wa born on Hong 8land, 5ew 6or+, "n 1997. ,e er)ed "n t$e na)y
and graduated &ro! 7ornell, a&ter w$"c$ $e wor+ed a a tec$n"cal wr"ter &or *oe"ng A"rcra&t.
Gur"ng t$" t"!e, $e turned to &"ct"on wr"t"ng and #ubl"$ed $" &"rt no)el, 2,, "n 19A9, to ra)e
re)"ew. ,e &ollowed u# t$" no)el two year later w"t$ The %rying of Lot ?@, a $ort but
e3tre!ely co!#le3 no)el. 8n a ene, The %rying of Lot ?@ wa a ty#e o& dre re$earal &or $"
long no)el t$at ucceeded "t, Gravity#s /ain.o+, w$"c$ won t$e 5at"onal *oo+ Award and "
#er$a# t$e bet%+nown long no)el to e!erge a&ter Dorld Dar 88. Pync$on- &ourt$ !a4or no)el
wa called 2ineland, and two year ago, $e #ubl"$ed $" $"tor"cal no)el !ason and 6ixon,
;$roug$ all o& t$ee boo+, w"t$ $" ue o& urreal"! and creat"on o& )at, )ar"ed, and "ncred"ble
con#"racy t$eor"e, Pync$on $a re!a"ned one o& t$e !ot or"g"nal and "!#ortant o& A!er"can
no)el"t.
Al!ot all wor+ by Pync$on are del"berately co!#le3. ;$e #lot are o&ten d"&&"cult to
&ollow bot$ becaue o& t$e"r "ntr"cate tw"t and turn and t$e"r o!et"!e "ncred"bly eoter"c
ub4ect !atter. Pync$on- c$aracter, &urt$er!ore, can be $ard to relate to. Pync$on $a a
tendency to &"ll $" no)el not w"t$ real c$aracter but rat$er w"t$ &acade or br"e& ca!eo &"gure
t$at e3"t "n t$e no)el only &or o!e #ec"&"c #ur#oe, a&ter w$"c$ t$ey d"a##ear. 8ndeed,
Gravity#s /ain.o+ $a o)er 400 o& t$ee ty#e o& c$aracter. 8n The %rying of Lot ?@, e3a!#le
o& uc$ c$aracter are (anny d" Preo and Jeu Arrabel.
The %rying of Lot ?@ " t$oug$t by !any to be Pync$on- bet wor+. Ot$er urely
d"agree, argu"ng t$at The %rying of Lot ?@ " "!#ly Pync$on- !ot acce"ble wor+, "t $ort
lengt$ and trea!l"ned (&or Pync$on) #lot allow"ng t$e reader to &ollow along w"t$ le wor+
t$an $" longer no)el reCu"re. *ut no !atter w$ere The %rying of Lot ?@ tand w"t$"n
Pync$on- body o& wor+, t$ere " no doubt t$at "n "t $u!or, tory, and dee# "n"g$t "nto
A!er"can culture and beyond, t$e boo+ " an A!er"can land!ar+.
=u!!ary
65
Oed"#a (aa, t$e young w"&e o& a !an na!ed (uc$o, l")e "n F"nneret, 7al"&orn"a. One
day, $e rece")e a letter &ro! a law &"r! tell"ng $er t$at $er e3%boy&r"end, P"erce 8n)erar"ty, $a
d"ed and na!ed $er t$e e3ecutor o& $" etate. Oed"#a reol)e to &a"t$&ully e3ecute $er duty, and
$e tra)el to =an 5arc"o (P"erce- $o!etown) w$ere $e !eet t$e lawyer, (et>ger, a"gned to
$el# $er, w"t$ w$o! $e #ontaneouly beg"n an a&&a"r.
A t$ey go about ort"ng t$roug$ P"erce- tangled &"nanc"al a&&a"r, Oed"#a ta+e note o&
t$e &act t$at P"erce owned an e3ten")e ta!# collect"on. One n"g$t, Oed"#a and (et>ger go to a
bar called ;$e =co#e, w$ere t$ey !eet ("+e .allo#"an, a !e!ber o& a r"g$t%w"ng &anat"cal
organ">at"on called t$e Peter P"ngu"d =oc"ety. 8n t$e bat$roo! o& t$e bar, Oed"#a ee a y!bol
t$at $e later learn " u##oed to re#reent a !uted #ot $orn. Dr"tten below t$e y!bol are t$e
acrony! D.A.=.;.E. and t$e na!e 2F"rby.2 Oed"#a !a+e a note o& all t$" "n&o be&ore return"ng
to c$at w"t$ ("+e at t$e bar.
Oed"#a and (et>ger ta+e a tr"# one day to .angoo Hagoon, an area "n w$"c$ P"erce
owned a ubtant"al a!ount o& land. ;$ere, t$ey !eet a !an na!ed (anny d" Preo, a lawyer
w$o " u"ng t$e 8n)erar"ty etate on be$al& o& $" cl"ent, w$o reco)ered and old $u!an bone to
8n)erar"ty but d"d not rece")e #ro#er #ay!ent. P"erce wanted t$e bone to !a+e c$arcoal &or
c"garette &"lter. A !e!ber o& ;$e Parano"d, a $"##"e band t$at &ollow Oed"#a around, #o"nt
out t$at (anny- tory " "!"lar to t$at o& t$e 17t$%century #lay The %ourier#s Tragedy, Oed"#a
and (et>ger dec"de to ee a #roduct"on o& t$e #lay nearby. ;$e #lay !ent"on t$e word
2;r"tero,2 a word t$at &ac"nate Oed"#a becaue o& "t #lace!ent w"t$"n t$e #lay. =$e goe
bac+tage to #ea+ w"t$ t$e d"rector, 'andol#$ Gr"blette, w$o tell $er to to# o)eranaly>"ng t$e
#lay. =$e reol)e to call $"! bac+ later.
A&ter reread"ng P"erce- w"ll later on, Oed"#a goe to a toc+$older- !eet"ng &or t$e
6oyodyne co!#any, a &"r! owned "n #art by 8n)erar"ty. A&ter ta+"ng a br"e& tour, $e tu!ble
"nto t$e o&&"ce o& =tanley Fote+, w$o " draw"ng t$e !uted #ot $orn y!bol on $" #ad o&
#a#er. ,e tell $er about a c"ent"t na!ed Jo$n 5e&at" w$o $a bu"lt a ty#e o& (e3well-
Ge!on, or a #$y"cally "!#o"ble !ac$"ne t$at allow &or #er#etual !ot"on by )"olat"ng t$e
=econd Haw o& ;$er!odyna!"c. Fote+ encourage Oed"#a to !eet w"t$ 5e&at".
Dant"ng to learn !ore about The %ourier#s Tragedy, Oed"#a get an ant$ology o&
Jacobean re)enge #lay. =$e not"ce t$at t$e #a#erbac+ co#y $a no !ent"on o& t$e ;r"tero,
$owe)er, w$"c$ #u>>le $er. =$e dec"de to go to *er+eley to !eet w"t$ t$e #ubl"$er. 8n t$e
!eant"!e, $e to# by an elderly care $o!e t$at P"erce $ad owned, w$ere $e !eet an old !an
w"t$ a r"ng de#"ct"ng t$e !uted #ot $orn. =$e alo $"re a #$"latel"t (ta!# e3#ert) na!ed
?eng$" 7o$en to go t$roug$ P"erce- ta!# collect"on. A&ter do"ng o, ?eng$" tell $er t$at
o!e o& P"erce- ta!# $a)e a !uted #ot $orn "n t$e"r water!ar+. Oed"#a beg"n to real">e t$at
$e " unco)er"ng a large !ytery.
Oed"#a goe to *er+eley to !eet w"t$ Jo$n 5e&at", w$o $ow $er $" #er#etual !ot"on
!ac$"ne. 8t can only be o#erated by #eo#le w"t$ #ec"al !ental ca#ab"l"t"e allow"ng t$e! to
co!!un"cate w"t$ t$e !ac$"ne, and $e tell Oed"#a t$at $e $a no uc$ !ental +"ll. ,e t$en
#ro#o"t"on $er, cau"ng $er to run out crea!"ng. Oed"#a t$en beg"n a )ery, )ery long n"g$t o&
wander"ng around a"!lely all o)er t$e *ay area. =$e encounter t$e !uted #ot $orn y!bol
al!ot e)eryw$ere, lead"ng $er to bel"e)e t$at $e !ay be $alluc"nat"ng. Jut be&ore dawn,
$owe)er, $e encounter an old !an w$o $and $er a letter and a+ $er to del")er "t )"a
D.A.=.;.E. under t$e &reeway. A&ter $el#"ng t$e !an to $" roo!, Oed"#a &"nd a D.A.=.;.E.
&ac"l"ty under t$e &reeway, dro# "n t$e letter and wa"t &or t$e del")ery !an, w$o! $e &ollow
to Oa+land and bac+ to *er+eley a&ter $e #"c+ u# t$e letter and del")er t$e!. Oed"#a return to
$er $o!e "n F"nneret to ee $er doctor, w$o beg"n $oot"ng at $er a $e #ull u#. ,e $a gone
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cra>y, obeed w"t$ t$e "dea t$at 8rael" are co!"ng to +"ll $"! becaue $e a"ted t$e 5a>" "n
Dorld Dar 88. A&ter $e " arreted, Oed"#a ee $er $uband, (uc$o, and #end o!e t"!e w"t$
$"!, alt$oug$ $e Cu"c+ly ee t$at $e $a beco!e add"cted to H=G, !a+"ng "t d"&&"cult to
co!!un"cate e&&ect")ely.
8ncrea"ngly alone, Oed"#a ee+ out E!ory *ort>, an Engl"$ #ro&eor at =an 5arc"o
7ollege w$o $a e3ten")e +nowledge o& Jacobean re)enge #lay. D"t$ $" $el#, $e #"ece
toget$er t$e $"tory o& t$e ;r"tero, w$"c$ date bac+ to !"d%1At$%century Euro#e. =$e learn t$at
Gr"blette $a d"ed, w$"c$ !ean $e w"ll ne)er +now w$y $e "ncluded t$e l"ne about t$e ;r"tero
"n $" #roduct"on o& The %ourier#s Tragedy (t$ee l"ne are not ord"nar"ly "ncluded "n t$e #lay).
Oed"#a beg"n to g")e u# a $e real">e t$at $e " )ery lonely and $a no real &r"end. =$e )""t
("+e .allo#"an aga"n, w$o ugget t$at t$e w$ole ;r"tero !ytery !ay be not$"ng !ore t$an a
$uge, co!#le3 4o+e #layed on $er by P"erce. Oed"#a w"ll not acce#t t$" #o"b"l"ty but real">e
t$at e)ery route lead"ng to t$e ;r"tero alo lead to t$e 8n)erar"ty Etate. (eanw$"le, ?eng$"
7o$en $el# $er #"ece toget$er o!e !yter"e about P"erce- ta!# collect"on, w$"c$ " to be
auct"oned o&& by a local dealer a Hot 49. ?eng$" $a $eard t$at a ecret")e b"dder w"ll attend t$e
auct"on to b"d on Hot 49, but $e w"ll not re)eal $"!el& be&ore$and. Oed"#a goe to t$e auct"on,
e3c"ted to &"nd out w$o t$e b"dder ", t$"n+"ng t$at $e !ay +now t$e +ey to t$e ;r"tero. ;$e
no)el end a Oed"#a "t "n t$e roo! wa"t"ng &or t$e cry"ng o& Hot 49, w$en $e w"ll d"co)er
t$e "dent"ty o& t$e !ytery b"dder.
7$aracter
;edi(a Maas % ;$e no)el- #rotagon"t. A&ter $er e3%boy&r"end, P"erce 8n)erar"ty, na!e
$er e3ecutor o& $" "!!ene and co!#le3 etate, $e d"co)er and beg"n to unra)el a
worldw"de con#"racy "n out$ern 7al"&orn"a. Oed"#a &unct"on "n t$e no)el a a ty#e o&
detect")e, alt$oug$ t$e tory " a !uc$ about $er own el&%d"co)er"e a "t " about t$e !ytery
$e atte!#t to #"ece toget$er.
A Mucho Maas % ;$e $uband o& Oed"#a, (uc$o once wor+ed "n a ued%car lot but
recently beca!e a d"c 4oc+ey &or F70. rad"o "n F"nneret. At t$e end o& t$e no)el, $e goe cra>y
on H=G, al"enat"ng Oed"#a.
Pierce 7n-erarity % Oed"#a- e3%boy&r"end and a &abulouly r"c$ real%etate tycoon. De
ne)er !eet $"! e3ce#t "n Oed"#a- !e!or"e, w$"c$ tell u t$at $e l"+ed to #lay w"t$ $" own
)o"ce by do"ng )ocal "!#eronat"on. ,e wa a general 4o+eter "n real l"&e and !ay be #lay"ng a
!ean tr"c+ on Oed"#a by "n)ent"ng t$" w$ole ;r"tero con#"racy.
Met&ger % A lawyer w$o wor+ &or Dar#e, D"t&ull, Fub"tc$e+ and (c("ngu. ,e $a
been a"gned to $el# Oed"#a e3ecute P"erce- etate. ,e and Oed"#a $a)e a br"e& a&&a"r "n =an
5arc"o a t$ey go about untangl"ng t$e !ytery. ,e d"a##ear around t$e !"ddle o& t$e no)el.
Miles3 .ean3 !erge and Leonard % ;$e &our !e!ber o& t$e $"##"e band called ;$e
Parano"d. ;$ey er)e a a !ean o& at"r">"ng t$e out$ern 7al"&orn"an yout$ $"##"e culture "n
t$e !"d%A0.
Mi6e Fallo(ian % A !e!ber o& t$e Peter P"ngu"d =oc"ety, a r"g$t%w"ng ant"%go)ern!ent
organ">at"on. Oed"#a and (et>ger !eet $"! "n a bar called ;$e =co#e early "n c$a#ter t$ree< $e
a##ear #orad"cally t$roug$ t$e ret o& t$e no)el.
Manny di Presso % A lawyer and old &r"end o& (et>ger, $e re"de near Ha+e 8n)erar"ty.
One o& $" cl"ent- " u"ng 8n)erar"ty- etate &or !oney 8n)erar"ty owed. ;$e cl"ent ent
8n)erar"ty $u!an bone reco)ered &ro! an 8tal"an la+e &or ue "n c$arcoal #roduct"on.
+andol(h .ri0lette % ;$e d"rector o& t$e #roduct"on o& The %ourier#s Tragedy een by
Oed"#a and (et>ger "n c$a#ter t$ree. Gr"blette " a lead"ng D$ar&"nger c$olar, but $e co!!"t
u"c"de toward t$e end o& t$e no)el be&ore Oed"#a can e3tract any ue&ul "n&or!at"on &ro! $"!
about D$ar&"nger- !ent"on o& t$e ;r"tero.
67
$layton $hiclit& % ;$e #re"dent o& 6oyodyne. Oed"#a !eet $"! "n 7$a#ter .our a $e
$ot a "ng%along at a toc+$older !eet"ng.
.r Hilarius % Oed"#a- #yc$"atr"t, $e goe "nane and ad!"t to $a)"ng been a 5a>"
doctor at *uc$enwald and to l"+"ng to !a+e a #art"cularly "ncred"ble &ac"al e3#re"on t$at dr")e
#eo#le to de)atat"on.
!tanley Cote6s % An e!#loyee o& 6oyodyne, Oed"#a !eet $"! w$en $e wander "nto
$" o&&"ce w$"le tour"ng t$e #lant. ,e +now o!et$"ng about t$e ;r"tero but w"ll not re)eal to
$er w$at $e +now.
1ohn "efastis % A c"ent"t obeed w"t$ #er#etual !ot"on. ,e $a tr"ed to "n)ent a ty#e
o& (a3well- Ge!on. Oed"#a )""t $"! to ee t$e !ac$"ne a&ter learn"ng about $"! &ro! =tanley
Fote+. ,e $ow $er t$e !ac$"ne but caue $er to run away w$en $e #ro#o"t"on $er.
Genghis $ohen % A ta!# e3#ert w$o! Oed"#a $"re to go t$roug$ P"erce- e3ten")e
ta!# collect"on "n order to a##ra"e "t. ?eng$" #ro)"de o!e !ore clue to $el# Oed"#a ol)e
t$e ;r"tero !ytery.
Emory /ort& % An Engl"$ #ro&eor w$o ued to teac$ at 07%*er+eley but later !o)ed
to =an 5arc"o 7ollege. ,e $el# Oed"#a untangle o!e o& t$e !yter"e related to t$e
D$ar&"nger #lay- !ent"on o& ;r"tero.
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