Thanks Hollis! I think that dynamic is what captures the genius of Melville. No other American book captured that synthesis as well as he (with perhaps exceptions made to East of Eden, though I'm unsure)
Absolutely loved your link and chosen extract to Job. Melville’s use of symbolism and allegory is really quite skilful. Much like his poem, “The Martyr”, where he writes “there is a sobbing of the strong, And a pall upon the land”, we are reminded that Melville’s conception of faith guides his characterisation of hero and anti-hero. Great work as always 👏
There are many literary commentators and significant historical evidence that the book is an allegory about slavery. As a side note, Melville was the grandson of Revolutionary War Colonel Peter Gansevoort who successfully defended Fort Stanwix in New York from a British siege.
Excellent. I have a good friend who will fish out a spark of recognition by asking “Call me Ishmael!” Then the conversation either hurtles forward or falls flat. This is his introductory clue.
I always said it was “likening yourself into God” and I guess in a way, that’s true. I like this explanation so much better, although it does pose the question of “once saved, always saved.” No matter what you do?
The one book I never finished my senior year in college…I just ran out of time. Now, I’m living this lesson. I’ve never been a fan, but maybe it’s time to return to Melville.
excellent summary of my favorite book.
it is truly biblical in it’s scope.
at the same time it is uniquely American.
Thanks Hollis! I think that dynamic is what captures the genius of Melville. No other American book captured that synthesis as well as he (with perhaps exceptions made to East of Eden, though I'm unsure)
I love East of Eden, and I love this commentary, so maybe I need to give Moby Dick another look! Thanks for the insights.
Glad you enjoyed it! Moby Dick is, in my opinion, one of those books worth endless rereads 🙏
As Twain quipped, “It taught me more about whales than I ever cared to know.”
A VERY fair point. I always joke that, masterpiece as it is, the narrative has some blubber that could be trimmed 😂
I loathed reading Moby Dick as a high school student, most likely because I didn’t understand it. I’ll need to give it another try.
Same! Hated it on my first read, but it really is a book that ages like wine
Fabulous. And a reminder of why Hemingway's little fish story was such a stark contrast.
Are you referring to Old Man and the Sea? Hadn’t thought of making that comparison before, but that’s an interesting contrast
Yes, exactly
Absolutely loved your link and chosen extract to Job. Melville’s use of symbolism and allegory is really quite skilful. Much like his poem, “The Martyr”, where he writes “there is a sobbing of the strong, And a pall upon the land”, we are reminded that Melville’s conception of faith guides his characterisation of hero and anti-hero. Great work as always 👏
Thanks Charlotte! The endless symbolism is what I most adore about Moby Dick by far. I’ll have to check out the martyr, haven’t read that poem yet!
There are many literary commentators and significant historical evidence that the book is an allegory about slavery. As a side note, Melville was the grandson of Revolutionary War Colonel Peter Gansevoort who successfully defended Fort Stanwix in New York from a British siege.
Interesting! Haven’t heard of that interpretation before
Here’s a good synthesis: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/750716/summary
Excellent. I have a good friend who will fish out a spark of recognition by asking “Call me Ishmael!” Then the conversation either hurtles forward or falls flat. This is his introductory clue.
I love it! haha. That's one of the greatest opening lines of any book in literature... period.
I’ve been confused about “the unforgivable sin “ for years. Thank you for making it clear!
I always said it was “likening yourself into God” and I guess in a way, that’s true. I like this explanation so much better, although it does pose the question of “once saved, always saved.” No matter what you do?
The one book I never finished my senior year in college…I just ran out of time. Now, I’m living this lesson. I’ve never been a fan, but maybe it’s time to return to Melville.
An enduring story, here’s it presented in a lighter vein - https://youtu.be/00vtP7XhEqo?feature=shared