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Descent into the Maelström, A

The Oxford Companion to American Literature | 1995 | 700+ words | Copyright

Descent into the Maelström, A, story by Poe, published in Graham's Magazine (1841) and reprinted in Prose Tales (1843).

A Norwegian sailor and his brother are trapped in their fishing boat when a hurricane draws it into the fearful Moskoe‐ström, a whirlpool that periodically forms and subsides. Whirled about the inner verge of the gulf, they face death, and the elder brother becomes insane. The other sees that of the many objects in the grasp of the whirlpool, small cylindrical ones are least likely to be destroyed, and, lashing himself to a cask, he jumps into the sea. When the Moskoe‐ström subsides, he floats to safety and is rescued by fellow fishermen. They do not recognize him or believe his story, for his hair has turned white and his expression is completely altered.

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James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Descent into the Maelström, A." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Descent into the Maelström, A." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-DescentintotheMaelstrmA.html

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Descent into the Maelström, A." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-DescentintotheMaelstrmA.html

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