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Copywork
About This Passage
At the chapter's crisis Poe slows time and tightens the syntax: the narrator advances 'with a heart almost bursting,' holds out the splinters, and watches Peters draw free — each clause narrowing his own chances. Copying these three sentences shows how short, exact statements can build unbearable suspense as a terrible decision is made one draw at a time.
At length delay was no longer possible, and, with a heart almost bursting from my bosom, I advanced to the region of the forecastle, where my companions were awaiting me. I held out my hand with the s...
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Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Retell this chapter in order: how the narrator resolves to die rather than take part and pleads with Parker; how the others insist and the four draw lots, and Parker is chosen to die so the rest may live; how the narrator turns away from describing the worst; how, days later, he remembers an axe Peters had passed him and the friends cut through to the store-room; and how they bring up olives, ham, wine, and a Gallipago tortoise full of sweet water and give thanks to God. Then choose the moment you find most decisive and explain why.
Discussion Questions
- Parker reasons that 'it was unnecessary for all to perish, when, by the death of one' the rest might be saved, while the narrator resolves to 'suffer death... rather than resort to such a course.' Explain why the two men reach such opposite conclusions from the same desperate facts. Use details from the chapter.
- As he arranges the lots, the narrator confesses that he ran over 'a thousand absurd projects' to escape, even thinking of tricking Peters or Augustus into drawing the short straw. Explain what this confession reveals about the narrator in this moment, and why Poe might choose to include it. Use details from the chapter.
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
Begging humbly and earnestly.
Item 2
To argue against or dispute.
Item 3
Reasoned earnestly with someone to dissuade them.
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Critical Thinking
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