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The Narrator

A world traveler and survivor of two hurricanes at sea. After a mishap on the South Seas, the narrator embarks on a journey of self-discovery to regions beyond human exploration and rational knowledge.

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The Old Swede

Along with the narrator, the only survivor of the tale’s first hurricane. The Old Swede’s experience of the tragic voyage is purely physical, not intellectual like the narrator’s. His death signals the metaphoric importance of the voyage as a quest for knowledge.

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The Ghost Ship Captain

The mysterious captain of the ghost ship the narrator lands on. Like the rest of his crew, he cannot see the narrator and appears unnaturally aged. His cabin contains many tools of discovery, including old tomes, sea charts, and scientific instruments.

The Ghost Ship Crew

The crew of the ghost ship the narrator lands on. Although the narrator is initially afraid of them, he soon realizes that they appear to be incapable of seeing him. They wander about, muttering in a language the narrator doesn’t understand.

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