The Gold-Bug: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Gold-Bug" is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe that revolves around the captivating tale of William Legrand, who discovers what he believes to be Captain Kidd's hidden treasure. The narrative is presented through the perspective of an unnamed narrator who is concerned about his friend Legrand's eccentric behavior following his finding of a peculiar gold beetle and an old parchment. Legrand, a young man from New Orleans, has lost his family fortune and now lives a reclusive life on Sullivan's Island, engaging in activities like fishing and collecting specimens. His strange actions lead the narrator and Jupiter, Legrand's devoted servant and a manumitted slave, to worry about his mental state. However, Legrand ultimately reveals that his peculiarities were a ruse to tease them, showcasing his intelligence and sense of humor. The story also includes Lt. G———, an army officer and entomology enthusiast, who becomes intrigued by the gold beetle discovered by Legrand. The interplay between these characters highlights themes of loyalty, intelligence, and the quest for fortune, making it an intriguing exploration of human relationships and ingenuity.
The Gold-Bug: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Edgar Allan Poe
First published: 1843
Genre: Short fiction
Locale: South Carolina
Plot: Detective and mystery
Time: Early nineteenth century
The narrator, who relates the story of William Legrand's discovery of Captain Kidd's treasure. He fears for a time that his friend is going out of his mind because of Legrand's peculiar behavior when he finds a piece of parchment that eventually leads him to a fortune of more than a million and a half dollars in gold and jewels.
William Legrand, a young man of good family from New Orleans who has taken up residence in a hut on Sullivan's Island, near Charleston, South Carolina, because his family fortune is gone. He spends his time fishing, hunting, and searching for specimens of shells and insects to add to his collection. One day he finds a peculiar new beetle, gold in color, and a piece of old parchment. His behavior becomes very peculiar for about a month. Later, helped in his digging by his servant and the narrator, he uncovers a rich buried treasure. Legrand then reveals that he has played a joke on the narrator and Jupiter: Realizing that they thought he was going crazy, he led them on by acting peculiarly. Legrand's solving of the cryptograph on the parchment shows that he has rare intelligence as well as a sense of humor.
Jupiter, a manumitted slave who once belonged to the Legrand family. After being freed, he stays as a servant and has followed William Legrand to Sullivan's Island. He is devoted and loyal to his master, as much a trusted associate as a servant. Like the narrator, Jupiter is fearful that Legrand is losing his mind.
Lt. G———, an army officer stationed at Fort Moultrie. He is a friend of Legrand and very much interested in entomology. He is fascinated by the gold beetle discovered on Sullivan's Island by Legrand.