The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing - Part 1
Cloud Atlas begins with a first person journal account set in the 1850s. For many readers, The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing is one of the more difficult sections to get through mostly due to the old style of writing (which closely mirrors that of Herman Melville.) The Pacific Journal begins laying the complex and intertwined foundation on to which the succeeding stories will build.
Strong vs. Weak, Predation, and Imprisonment are prominent themes introduced and explored in this section. When Mr. Evans recounts the story of the slaughtered and subjugated native Moriori, both themes come to mind. His narration claims that the “stronger,” well-equipped Maori tribe invaded the “weaker,” pacifistic Moriori tribe, making slaves out of those they did not murder. The two aforestated themes are also enhanced with the character of Autua. His past with the Maori, riddled with enslavement, discrimination, and cruelty, personifies the ideas of Strong vs. Weak and Predation. Dr. Henry Goose being “disgraced by the Marchioness Grace of Mayfair” and kicked out of London is an additional example of the Strong vs. Weak theme present in Adam Ewing’s journal.
Another major theme introduced in this section is Ascent and Descent. During a pivotal scene, Adam climbs a mountain called Conical Tor but falls as he begins his descent from the foggy summit. This fall triggers his “ailment” and foreshadows what is to come of him as he sails across the Pacific. Autua also adds to this theme when he earns a place on the Prophetess after climbing the sails. Rising and falling (especially falling) will continue to appear throughout the rest of the novel.
Strong vs. Weak, Predation, and Imprisonment are prominent themes introduced and explored in this section. When Mr. Evans recounts the story of the slaughtered and subjugated native Moriori, both themes come to mind. His narration claims that the “stronger,” well-equipped Maori tribe invaded the “weaker,” pacifistic Moriori tribe, making slaves out of those they did not murder. The two aforestated themes are also enhanced with the character of Autua. His past with the Maori, riddled with enslavement, discrimination, and cruelty, personifies the ideas of Strong vs. Weak and Predation. Dr. Henry Goose being “disgraced by the Marchioness Grace of Mayfair” and kicked out of London is an additional example of the Strong vs. Weak theme present in Adam Ewing’s journal.
Another major theme introduced in this section is Ascent and Descent. During a pivotal scene, Adam climbs a mountain called Conical Tor but falls as he begins his descent from the foggy summit. This fall triggers his “ailment” and foreshadows what is to come of him as he sails across the Pacific. Autua also adds to this theme when he earns a place on the Prophetess after climbing the sails. Rising and falling (especially falling) will continue to appear throughout the rest of the novel.
The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing - Part 2
We make it full circle as we once again rejoin Adam on his Pacific journey. As the pages dwindle, Mitchell’s ideas and themes become all the more evident and everything seems to fall effortlessly in place.
Once again the theme of Ascent and Descent can be found when Preacher Horrox speaks of “Civilization’s Ladder” in which “Progress” determines ascent ranking. The Anglo-Saxons stand the highest followed by the Latins then Asiatics. The Negroes are lower and the “Irreclaimable Races” such as the Australian Aboriginals are lower still, “just one rung up from the great apes.” Adam wonders why this ladder seems to govern the world and cannot grasp his acquaintance's Anglophilistic explanation as to why the White races sit above all others. A more subtler rearing of this theme occurred when Autua threw Booerhaave overboard.
In the same conversation the themes of Strong vs. Weak and Predation make an appearances. Preacher Horrox asserts that the Aryan races hold dominion because they are stronger than others, equipped with refined machinery and muskets. He also proclaims that his branded, “Irreclaimable Races,” should undergo a “speedy knocking off the ladder,” implying a human triggered extinction. Predation is also seen as Adam explores the island of Nazareth he becomes aware of how the Horroxes prey upon the people of their colony; deliberately getting them addicted to tobacco in order to create a motivation for labor. The theme is put into words with Henry Goos's comments, "... all people are predatory, but White predators, with our deadly duet of disease dust and firearms, are exemplars of predacity par excellence," (490) and, "But, Adam, the world is wicked. Maori's prey on Moriori, Whites prey on darker-hued cousins, fleas prey on mice, cats prey on rats, Christians of infidels, first mates on cabin boys, Death on the Living. 'The weak are the meat, the strong do eat.'" (503)
The theme of Predacity (hand in hand with Imprisonment) can be seen within various crewmember interactions aboard the Prophetess as well. As the ship crosses the equator, the more seasoned members take it upon themselves to brutally initiate those who had not yet experienced “Crossing the Line.” This initiation was just one of the three major instances of predation on the Prophetess. Another occurrence was brought to light when Rafael, a young cabin boy, took his life. Apparently Boerhaave, the first mate, and his friends had been repeatedly raping Rafael and the boy saw no other way out. (Rafael’s end was reminiscent of Frobisher’s and provided the readers with the juxtaposition of an abrupt suicide and a premeditated one). Lastly, and perhaps the most evident manifestation of the Predation theme, was the toxic relationship between Adam Ewing and Henry Goose. “The weak are the meat the strong do eat.” Although readers were made aware of Henry’s devious intentions within one of Frobisher’s letters from the first half, it was still difficult to see good-natured Adam be betrayed. Their relationship is a bit reminiscent of the dying Mrs. Hotchkiss and her uncaring son John who’s only concern was of monetary value.
As David Mitchell’s stunning novel comes to a close, it is hard not to feel as if everything that once seemed unrelated is now beautifully connected. As Ewing philosophizes in the final lines, it becomes clear that each of us, armed with our own human experiences, make up the ever-flowing ocean of humanity. As we fall into the ocean, we create overlapping ripples that spread and affect others as we echo across time.
Other Noteworthy Connections
Once again the theme of Ascent and Descent can be found when Preacher Horrox speaks of “Civilization’s Ladder” in which “Progress” determines ascent ranking. The Anglo-Saxons stand the highest followed by the Latins then Asiatics. The Negroes are lower and the “Irreclaimable Races” such as the Australian Aboriginals are lower still, “just one rung up from the great apes.” Adam wonders why this ladder seems to govern the world and cannot grasp his acquaintance's Anglophilistic explanation as to why the White races sit above all others. A more subtler rearing of this theme occurred when Autua threw Booerhaave overboard.
In the same conversation the themes of Strong vs. Weak and Predation make an appearances. Preacher Horrox asserts that the Aryan races hold dominion because they are stronger than others, equipped with refined machinery and muskets. He also proclaims that his branded, “Irreclaimable Races,” should undergo a “speedy knocking off the ladder,” implying a human triggered extinction. Predation is also seen as Adam explores the island of Nazareth he becomes aware of how the Horroxes prey upon the people of their colony; deliberately getting them addicted to tobacco in order to create a motivation for labor. The theme is put into words with Henry Goos's comments, "... all people are predatory, but White predators, with our deadly duet of disease dust and firearms, are exemplars of predacity par excellence," (490) and, "But, Adam, the world is wicked. Maori's prey on Moriori, Whites prey on darker-hued cousins, fleas prey on mice, cats prey on rats, Christians of infidels, first mates on cabin boys, Death on the Living. 'The weak are the meat, the strong do eat.'" (503)
The theme of Predacity (hand in hand with Imprisonment) can be seen within various crewmember interactions aboard the Prophetess as well. As the ship crosses the equator, the more seasoned members take it upon themselves to brutally initiate those who had not yet experienced “Crossing the Line.” This initiation was just one of the three major instances of predation on the Prophetess. Another occurrence was brought to light when Rafael, a young cabin boy, took his life. Apparently Boerhaave, the first mate, and his friends had been repeatedly raping Rafael and the boy saw no other way out. (Rafael’s end was reminiscent of Frobisher’s and provided the readers with the juxtaposition of an abrupt suicide and a premeditated one). Lastly, and perhaps the most evident manifestation of the Predation theme, was the toxic relationship between Adam Ewing and Henry Goose. “The weak are the meat the strong do eat.” Although readers were made aware of Henry’s devious intentions within one of Frobisher’s letters from the first half, it was still difficult to see good-natured Adam be betrayed. Their relationship is a bit reminiscent of the dying Mrs. Hotchkiss and her uncaring son John who’s only concern was of monetary value.
As David Mitchell’s stunning novel comes to a close, it is hard not to feel as if everything that once seemed unrelated is now beautifully connected. As Ewing philosophizes in the final lines, it becomes clear that each of us, armed with our own human experiences, make up the ever-flowing ocean of humanity. As we fall into the ocean, we create overlapping ripples that spread and affect others as we echo across time.
Other Noteworthy Connections
- The Prophetess makes it to the central location of Hawaii.
- Tilda waving from Silvaplana Wharf becomes Adam’s “dying” thought (504) just as the word Silvaplana had come to Joe Napier just before he died. (432)
- "The Christ Guards gives any Black who sets foot here now a hefty flogging," (486) reminds us of Autua's flogging and uphold's the themes of Predation and Strong vs. Weak.
- "It’s all rast’ nests & rubble now. That’s what all beliefs turn to one day. Rats’ nests and rubble," (486) is reminiscent of the forgotten Christ in Zachary’s time and Buddha in Sonmi’s time.
- Sailors refuse shark meat reasoning, “Sharks are known to eat men, thus to eat shark flesh is cannibalism by proxy.” (495) This echoes the cannibalism within Sonmi’s story.
- The sentences, “The creaking of my bones & the ship’s timbers were one,” (502) and, “Luisa is distracted by a strange gravity that makes her pause for a moment and look at its rigging, listen to it’s wooden bones creaking,” (430) are both about the Prophetess and are remarkably similar.