History Literature / TheNarrativeOfArthurGordonPymOfNantucket

* LongTitle: Everyone calls the book ''Arthur Gordon Pym'', which is more than half a mouthful itself.

* CosmicHorrorStory: The novel's fantastical final chapters, which feature AlienGeometries and an encounter with giant, chalk-skinned humanoid figure, are often acknowledges as a main influence on the cosmic horror genre. H.P. Lovecraft's ''Literature/AtTheMountainsOfMadness'', which is also set in Antarctica, features some obvious references to ''Pym''.

* CosmicHorrorStory: The novel's fantastical final chapters, which feature AlienGeometries and an encounter with giant, chalk-skinned humanoid figure, are often acknowledges as a main influence on the cosmic horror genre. H.P. Lovecraft's ''Literature/AtTheMountainOfMadness'', which is also set in Antarctica, features some obvious references to ''Pym''.

* CosmicHorrorStory: One of the first.

* GainaxEnding: [[spoiler: The events leading up to the big NoEnding, that is.]]

* HollowWorld: Near the South Pole, sea itself seems to increasingly slope downwards and open up into a "limitless cataract." Poe was likely inspired by 19th century theories proposing that the Earth was hollow and open at the poles.

* CannibalTribe: [[spoiler: The natives of Tsalal.]]

* ForeignQueasine: The island cannibals consider sea cucumbers a delicacy.

* AlienGeometries: [[spoiler: Near the South Pole.]]
* AlienSea: [[spoiler: Near the South Pole, the water is "of a milky consistency and hue", with violently flaring vapors and temperatures so high it's "almost unpleasant to the touch."]]

* DeathByIrony: [[spoiler: Parker's death]]. He proposes that the shipwrecked party draw lots and see who gets cannibalized to save the other three. Irony ensues.

* ForeignQueasine: The island cannibals consider the intestines a delicacy... served complete with the original stuffing.

* HeterosexualLifePartners: Pym and Augustus Barnard.
* ImAHumanitarian: An unsettling number of examples, both among major and minor characters.

* MindScrew: Back before screwing minds was cool.
* MysteriousAntarctica: The TropeMaker.

* NoEnding: [[spoiler:The bizarre last chapters build to a crescendo that breaks off in mid-story. No explanation. No conclusion. Only Pym and Peters drifting through water too hot to touch, a rain of white ash, and the sudden appearance of a shrouded, chalk-skinned giant.]]
* PlotArmor: Pym seems to have it, though being an UnreliableNarrator helps as well.
* PlotHole: The novel has several, very amateurish examples of this. Considering the skill of [[Creator/EdgarAllanPoe the author]] it's most likely intentional, though scholars can't agree on why.

* ScarecrowSolution: Used to scare mutineers into abandoning ship by convincing them it's haunted.

* ForeignQueasine: The island cannibals consider the intestines a delicacy ... served complete with the original stuffing.

* [[spoiler: NoEnding: The bizarre last chapters build to a crescendo that breaks off in mid-story. No explanation. No conclusion. Only Pym and Peters drifting through water too hot to touch, a rain of white ash, and the sudden appearance of a shrouded, chalk-skinned giant.]]

** In Verne's non-canon sequel, the dog Tiger's collar is found on Tsalal, implying that he survived the sinking of the ''Jane Guy''. [[spoiler:If so, Pym and his shipmates earlier drew straws to see who'd get cannibalized]], [[ComicStrip/TheFarSide with the dog calmly looking on!]]

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: After the wreck of the ''Jane Guy'' Pym's dog Tiger drops out of the story, with no further indication as to his fate.

Can be read [[http://dagonbytes.com/poe/writings/arthurgordonpym.htm here.]]

** Creator/JulesVerne's ''The Sphinx of the Ice'' does its best to find [[DoingIntheWizard rational explanations for the ending's fantastical elements]].

* ShoutOut:
** A copy of the book can be seen on Creator/ReneMagritte's ''La Reproduction Interdite'' (1937).
** Overtly referenced in Creator/HPLovecraft's ''Literature/AtTheMountainsOfMadness'' with the Shoggoths' cry of ''Tekeli-li!''.

'''''The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket''''' is the only complete {{novel}} by EdgarAllanPoe.

----

* AuthorAvatar: "Arthur Gordon Pym" and "Edgar Allan Poe" share the same number of letters, and nearly echo each other. Pym's backstory also largely mirrors Poe's, from his falling apart with his family, the encounter with his grandfather, and the fraternal relationship with Augustus, who is loosely based on Poe's older brother. Both Poe's brother and Augustus share [[spoiler: the date of their deaths]].

* ShoutOut: Overtly referenced in Creator/HPLovecraft's ''Literature/AtTheMountainsOfMadness'' with the Shoggoths' cry of ''Tekeli-li!''.