Geography
In Poe's tales landscapes, characters, and ideas have a singular effect.
Unity of form and content are closely wed. In The Gold Bug Poe creates an
environment that corresponds to his main character. Sullivan's island, where
Poe had served a year in the army at Fort Moultrie, suited his purpose.
Legrand, like the land itself, is solitary, lacking substance and capable
of wildness. Legrand lives on this island with scant vegetation, very bleak
and mars-like. Much like a primordial ooze. The shrubs that do grow are
about fifteen feet in height and form a barrier to the world. It is a place
of isolation with a protective wall of coppice. The location of Captain
Kidd's treasure is foreboding. Like Dante's dark wood it is a place of brambles
and undergrowth, very feral, swallowing, and excessively fecund.
Poe utilizes this strange environment and this odd character to reveal the
sense of purpose and meaning of all places and persons. Jung said that the
psyche of the individual can contain the essence of the entire race. Through
the geography of Gold Bug we can intuit the tale in miniature. The Gold
Bug is a parable of the human journey.
Character Analysis
 Narrator
Typical of Poe's narrator's, the story teller is nameless, passively observant
and confused. Poe depicted "the teller of the tale" as an analogue
of the readers ego consciousness. The narrator's everyday way of looking
at things, his "subjectivity", is what clouds his, and by implication
the readers, perspective. Poe is suggesting that there is a form of
consciousness,
a conservative principle, within us that is highly invested in safety and
keeping things domesticated.
In The Gold Bug the narrator made a speedy evaluation that Legrand
suffered from some form of insanity, what today would be called obsessive
compulsive behaviour. The tale-teller believed William's malady was brought
about by misery and exhaustion. Out of pity for his desolate friend, he
attempts to comfort and persuade him to rest and get medical help. Initially,
the narrator doesn't cherish the idea of going on a wild goose-chase, rather
bug-chase. Nonetheless he relents in order to obtain an opportunity to persuade
his friend that he is in need of care. His heart and his head are at war;
his heart wins over.
The narrator personifies the reader's need for order and stability, especially
when threatened by the disruptive forces of the unconscious mind. Unconscious
motivations and spontaneous actions are interpreted by our ego consciousness
as sinister, destructive, and more than likely insane. The ego has a vested
interest in the health of its host and strives for its wellbeing in whatever
way it can. This investment can, ironically, lead to its loyalty and support
of those unconscious determinations when they are in the individuals best
interest. Ultimately, like the narrator, we want to outgrow our reasonability
and participate in adventure which may lead to treasure. Impressed with
Legrand's purposefulness and rationality, the narrator slowly is won over
and convinced that there is more than madness at work in Legrand:
"Here my friend, about whose
madness I now saw, or fancied that I saw, certain indications of method,
removed the peg which marked the spot where the beetle fell, to a spot
about three inches to the westward of its former position." (*)
William
Legrand
In many ways, Legrand has much in common with Poe himself. He is extremely
intelligent, petulant, and lives in misery that is beneath his station.
"I found him well educated, with
unusual powers of mind, but infected with misanthropy, and subject to perverse
moods of alternate enthusiasm and melancholy." p. 348. He is articulate, a fine cryptologist, who would
make an excellent Sherlock Holmes. Legrand, though nervous in character,
maintains his commitment to scientific investigation and trusts in logic.
He attributes his success to adopting a confident attitude: "But for my deep seated convictions that
the treasure was here somewhere actually buried, we might have had all our
labour in vain."
"Names are important for Poe, they are rarely used without conscious
intent. On the surface, Legrand is a play on Edgar's brother's name: (William
Henry Leonard Poe) William Legrand, has Henry's first name, while Legrand
lacks only an "o" in otherwise perfect superimposing the two
names Edgar and Leonard upon each other".
(Silverman, p. 208.)
The name Legrand reveals William's inflated temperament. He is grandiose,
both in his self estimate and in his dreams of wealth. This grandness of
character would be rather pathetic, were it not for his ultimate vindication
in the tale. Legrand secures his fortune and fate, by following intuition,
rationality and attachment to his vision. There is a slim line between a
self deluded fool and a hero like Legrand. Poe reminds the reader not to
be too quick to decide upon which alternative interpretation is most likely.
Legrand could be interpreted in Jungian terms as the "Self" ,the
symbol of a wise fool or magician. Poe uses esoteric language to describe
Legrand's demeanour as they proceeded toward the treasure. "Legrand contented himself with the scarabaeus, which he
carried attached to the end of a bit of whip-cord; twirling it to and fro,
with the air of a conjuror, as he went." p. 364. His actions could be compared to an alchemist in the process of
turning lead into gold.
Jupiter
Many interpreters of Poe understand the characterization of Jupiter as a
by-product of Southern racism.
"Poe took particular satisfaction in his
characterization of Legrand's manumitted black servant Jupiter, which
he considered a "perfect picture... no feature overshaded, or distorted."
This meant depicting him as superstitious and stupid, unable to tell
his left eye from his right, (It is my lef hand what I chops de wood
wid) . Poe opposed abolition, and identified with slave-holding interests
in the South, whom he felt Northern writers misrepresented. Although
in no way consumed with racial hatred, he considered blacks less than
human - as did many other Americans in the 1840's - therefore "utterly
incompetent to fell the moral gall of their chain." (Silverman,
p.207)
Undoubtedly, Poe was an elitist. His superiority included a disdain for
other races, yet, there is more to Jupiter than a comedic figure used to
poke fun at an oppressed minority. Just as the narrator and Legrand embody
the ego consciousness and Self, Jupiter represents the instincts. While
these instincts can at times be dim-witted, they are loyal and determined
to serve the adventure in their own way.
Jupiter was a free man, after the abolition of slavery. He chose to attend
his former master as an indentured servant. He freely undertook the task
of caring for Legrand. While this may indicate the inability to adapt to
freedom, it could also suggest a wisdom concerning himself and his abilities.
Jupiter is in this respect more reality-based than his master appears to
be. In addition to being more humble, he is also more fearful, more loving,
and more open to the supernatural than the narrator or Legrand.
For all his apparent "stupidity", Jupiter played a central role
in the discovery and interpretation of the Gold Bug:
"Jupiter, with his accustomed caution,
before seizing the insect, which had flown towards him, looked about him
for a leaf, or something of that nature, by which to take hold of it. It
was at this moment that his eyes, and mine also, fell upon the scrap of
parchment, that his eyes, and mine also, fell upon the scrap of parchment,
which I then supposed to be paper. ... Well, Jupiter picked up the parchment,
wrapped the beetle in it, and gave it to me." p. 372.
The Gold Bug flew toward Jupiter, as if attracted to him. Could it be that
the instinctive nature of Jupiter had something to do with this attraction?
Even Jupiter's frightened response was contributory to the story. In fear,
he sought a leaf or a piece of paper to pick up the bug; in doing so, he
unwittingly wrapped the bug in Captain Kidd's treasure map and cipher.
It was Jupiter who climbed the tree. If the tree is a symbol of spiritual
ascent, as some interpreters suggest, then Poe is making the point that
there comes a time when the instincts do the work that the mind finds
repugnant.
"When we reached the tree, Legrand
turned to Jupiter, and asked him if he thought he could climb it. The old
man seemed a little staggered by the question, and for some moments made
no reply. At length he approached the huge trunk , walked slowly around
it, and examined it with minute attention. When he completed his scrutiny
he merely said, " Yes mass, Jup climb any tree he ebber see in he
life."
p. 365.
Paradoxically, limited as he is by literalism,
Jupiter understands the meaning of the scarabaeus before Legrand. He believes
the "goole bug" is solid gold. Symbolically he is absolutely correct.
The finding of the bug did translate into hard cold cash for Legrand. Jupiter
was wise enough to fear being bit by the goole bug. He made the connection
between Legrand's discovery of the insect and his inordinate obsession with
wealth.
>From the rational point of view, Jupiter's actions and interpretations are
nonsense. But from the deeper structure of the tale there is evidence that
the instincts have a language of their own that contributed to the discovery
process. Poe gave Jup the language of instincts, which is comedic but also
ironic, since Jup's language speaks more accurately than the eloquence of
Legrand. Confirming the fact that Jup speaks another language is the mistake
Jupiter makes in following Legrand's instructions, "to put the bug
through the left eye hole of the human scull." Jup gets left and right
mixed up. The left side is traditionally the side of irrationality, intuition
and instinct - Jup was so determined by this perspective that he had a hard
time not seeing it as logical, that is of the right side.
Whether intentionally, or not, the name Jupiter is a celestial counterpoint
to Legrand. The planet is mythologically understood as representing a
beneficent
largesse. Jup generously gave of himself for the benefit of his "massa
Will".
Another Negro, representative of the instincts, plays a pivotal role in
the discovery of the Gold Bug. When Legrand was attempting to find the Bishop's
hostel, he asks an old Negro woman if there was a hotel or hostel which
fit the description. Through her folk wisdom, he learns that the Bishop's
Hostel is actually Beesop's Castle which was not a
tavern or a hotel but a high rock. p. 379.
While Legrand summarily dismisses her, as he does so often with his slave
Jup, he in fact owed the central piece of interpretation to her instinctual
consciousness.
Themes
Restoration
The Gold Bug is a story about the restoration of lost family fortune and
status. Legrand could be viewed as a microcosm of humanity; the Gold Bug
tale a parallel to Milton's Paradise
Lost and
Paradise Regained. There are some
differences, the most notable being that Legrand, standing outside the gates
of family fortune, arrived at this destitution through a series of misfortunes.
The movement back is a movement of rebellion and prometheanism, not unlike
that of Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's classic.
The wretched state of Legrand is repaired through a combination of cleverness,
instinctual persistence, and self-interest. Yet there is something else
behind the restoration; the subtle workings of Fortune. A series of fortuitous
circumstances played a central part in translating what appeared to be fool's
gold into real gold. Synchronicity, defined by Carl Jung as meaningful
coincidence,is
related to the hidden meaning behind the processes or events in our lives.
The recognition of synchronicity gives events in our life structure, worth
and coherence. One could view it as science, superstition, or providence.
Poe seems to imply all three factors in The Gold Bug. The following
circumstances
could be considered synchronistic in this tale:
The
unusually cold October day in South Carolina.
The
Newfoundland dog jumping on the narrator's lap, resulting in the heating
of the parchment that revealed the secret treasure map.
The
finding of the Gold Bug and the treasure map in close proximity to each
other, due to Jupiter's use of the parchment as a protective barrier to
avoid being bit by the bug.
The
finding of the treasure map on the same parchment, and in relatively the
same position as Legrand's sketch of the scarabaeus.
Legrand comments: "This bug is to make my fortune," he continued,
with a triumphant smile,
""to reinstate me in my family possessions.
Is it any wonder, then, that I prize it? Since Fortune has thought fit to
bestow it upon me, I have only to use it properly and I shall arrive at
the goal of which it is the index." p. 363. Poe uses double meaning to suggest that both fortune and Fortune
are involved in the events surrounding the discovery of the treasure. Fortuna
is the god of fortune, in both the sense of restored fate and restored
finances.
The trials and tribulations of the pursuit of the journey are duly rewarded.
Unlike the serendipitous aspect of his fall, Legrand's restoration is the
result of arduous initiation. He directly claimed that all depended on his
response to the situation.
Material, and yet more than material, the treasure trove represents things
of value. In case there is any doubt of the intended literal interpretation
of the tale,the treasure is enumerated item by item, and approximated to
be of a million and a half worth - which was an underestimate of its actual
worth. "Beside all this, there
was a vast quantity of solid gold ornaments - nearly two hundred massive
finger and ear rings, rich chains - thirty of these, if I remember - eighty
three very large and heavy crucifixes; five golden censors of great value;
a prodigious golden punch bowl, ornamented with richly chased vineleaves
and Bacchanalian figures; with two sword-handles exquisitely embossed, and
many other smaller articles which I can not recollect." p.
371. The treasure is described as numinous brilliance.
" As the rays of the lantern fell
within the pit, there flashed upwards from a confused heap of gold and of
jewels, a glow and a glare that absolutely dazzled our eyes." p.
370. Beside the various denominations of currency,
the treasure contained items that were associated with spiritual traditions:
pagan, grail, alchemical and Christian. What of these valuables? Where do
they come from? Where have they been obtained? By what process? These are
questions explored, but not too deeply, by Poe.
Beneath the Tree of Good and Evil is where high and low mingle in unique
ways. A place where the valuables of kings and queens, naves and thieves
come together. The height of the Tulip tree and the depth of the oblong
box buried underground, exemplify the union of opposites that exist when
unearthing treasure. Legrand, following the labyrinthian mind of Captain
Kidd, reveals his own as well as Captain Kidd's shrewdness.
Like Kidd, Legrand is obsessed, driven and unaware of the contribution or
value of others. There is a neglected treasure of human community and
camaraderie
that is not fully acknowledged in the tale. Without the joint effort of
the narrator, Jupiter and Lady Luck, Legrand's dreams would have ended in
disaster. Jupiter, while elbow deep in gold, acknowledges his lack of respect
for the goole bug. Legrand, however, takes the discovery as an occasion
to reveal his own worthiness. Poe highlights Legrand's superiority and
deserving
character as the centrepiece of the success of the venture.
Taking the step in affirming that humankind itself is the thing of value,
the treasure of great price, the treatment of participants, both in
the pirate's time and in Legrand's, becomes noteworthy. Beneath the
tree lies the bones of those who enabled Kidd to conceal the treasure.
Silverman, Poe's most recent biographer, comments: "For
the treasure hunt in the 'Gold Bug' much resembles the exhumation of
a human corpse. The chest is located by the means of a bug that looks
like 'a death's head', which has to be lowered through the eye holes
of a skull, which rests on the 'dead' limb of a tree, which lead to
a pit containing a 'mass of human bones' beneath which is an oblong
chest of wood. The thing buried within such a chest is of great value,
a treasure indeed. (Silverman,
p. 208.) The Newfoundland
dog knew that the treasure lay in the bones and not in the box; an insight
only the instincts could possibly make. The restoration of gold and
status seem paltry in light of the higher restoration of humanity but
Legrand seems not to recognize this.
NEXT: Does
this connect with my life?
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