Poe's NAGP can be described as one of the most unusual stories I have ever read. Mostly, it has a relatively boring plot mainly consisting of cumbersome passages relaying trivial information to the reader, but surprisingly Poe manages to mitigate the story's vapidity by spicing the text with preposterous adventures and situations that ultimately save the reader from falling asleep. It is evident that Poe's novelette has a remarkable semblance of truth because Pym, the narrator, is able to recall his extraordinary ventures with uncanny clarity. The description of Pym's emotions is especially poignant, as are the immaculate details of every setting in the book. However, once the reader truly grasps how completely ridiculous Pym's claims are, it is an irrefutable fact that the novel is entirely fictitious. Truth and fiction are truly having a head to head battle in this text.
I think that Poe's excessive exaggeration definitely leads to a better story, especially in the case of NAGP. We all know that Poe is fond of writing horror stories that inspire the most gruesome fears within the reader-- e.g. being buried alive ("Cask of Amontillado")--- and as it relates to NAGP--- being shipwrecked at sea, cannabalism, murder, etc. Not only is death a strong theme throughout the plot, but so too is deception. Beginning at the onstart of the story when Pym deceived his parents with a forged letter, as well as hiding secretly on board the Grampus, and even when the savages tricked the Jane Guy's crew and murdered them.
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While reading this book, I was constantly reminded of the Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. Just like Pym, Pi was magically able to tell his story as if he just lived it yesterday. Also, Pi and his tiger were the lone survivors from the shipwreck, just as Pym and Peters were the only two survivors from the Grampus. As the narrative continues, Pi's story become less and less believable just like Poe's novel- Pi manages to survive for weeks on a raft with a giant bengal tiger without being eaten, lands on a island with human eating trees, and in the end the tiger runs off and is never seen again.
ReplyDeleteHowever, unlike the Narrative of Pym, Pi's story is explained and verified. As I read this book and found a lot comparisons, I kept waiting for Pym's story to be validated as well. But...it didn't.
Great comparison, Rebekah! I was also reminded of the Narrative of AGP while I was watching the season premiere of Lost on Wednesday night. I wonder whether we'll feel like the Lost story is verified at the end of the series?
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