Moby-Dick, Herman Melville

Historical and Cultural Context

Herman Melville was a 19th-century American author known for his sea adventure novels. His most famous work, Moby-Dick, was initially not recognised for its brilliance. Only in the 20th century did it gain its status as a masterpiece of American literature.

The American Renaissance was a period of rich literary and cultural output in the USA around mid-19th century. Great writers, like Melville, produced works that deeply examined the human condition and American society.

The whaling industry was vital during Melville's time. Whale oil lit lamps and lubricated machinery, underlining the era's progress. Moby-Dick reflects this, showcasing a whaling ship's perilous journey, providing a detailed insight into the industry.

The melting pot refers to the diverse mix of cultures in America. Melville's Moby-Dick captures this diversity through characters of various backgrounds, symbolising a society grappling with different cultures and ideas.

Melville's work embodies the Gothic tradition and religious themes. Moby-Dick" is full of dark, mysterious imagery and biblical allusions. The relentless pursuit of the white whale also explores profound spiritual and metaphysical questions.

The Industrial Revolution was transforming society during Melville's lifetime. His portrayal of the whaling industry, with its mechanisation and exploitation of natural resources, mirrors industrialisation's larger impacts.

Melville was influenced by Hawthorne, Shakespeare, and the Bible. The deep symbolism and moral complexity in Moby-Dick show Hawthorne's influence. Shakespearean drama inspires the novel's tragic tones, while biblical references enrich its spiritual dimensions.

Moby-Dick is a product of its time and Melville's influences. It paints a vivid picture of mid-19th century America, reflecting the realities of the whaling industry, cultural diversity, religious and gothic undercurrents, and the effects of industrial revolution. Its literary influences deepen its rich, philosophical core.

Questions

1. Who was Herman Melville?

A. A 20th-century British author

B. A 19th-century American author

C. A 19th-century British author

D. A 20th-century American author

2. What industry is thoroughly depicted in Moby-Dick?

A. The textile industry

B. The mining industry

C. The whaling industry

D. The shipping industry

3. Who among the following influenced Herman Melville?

A. Oscar Wilde

B. Nathaniel Hawthorne

C. Emily Dickinson

D. Charles Dickens

4. What characteristic of Shakespeare's work is reflected in Moby-Dick?

A. Comedic tone

B. Dramatic tones

C. Depiction of royalty

D. Love poetry

Discussion

When does an obsession become harmful?

Further reading

1. Anderson, Mark. "Queer Readings of Moby-Dick: Navigating the Seas of Identity." Journal of American Studies, vol. 52, no. 2, 2018, pp. 345-363. This article explores the ways in which Moby-Dick can be read as a queer text. Anderson argues that the novel's exploration of identity, desire, and embodiment challenges traditional notions of heteronormativity.

2. Jervis, Jane. "Beyond the White Whale: Eco-Criticism and the Marine Environment in Moby-Dick." Studies in American Fiction, vol. 46, no. 1, 2019, pp. 1-20. This article examines the ways in which Moby-Dick can be read as an eco-critical text. Jervis argues that the novel's portrayal of the natural world is both beautiful and disturbing, and that it raises important questions about the relationship between humans and nature.

3. Kaneko, James. "The Struggle of Subjectivity: Reading Moby-Dick in the 21st Century." Melville Quarterly, vol. 57, no. 1, 2021, pp. 35-53. This article explores the ways in which Moby-Dick can be read as a text about subjectivity. Kaneko argues that the novel's exploration of the individual's relationship to the world is both complex and challenging.

4. Park, Min-Jung. "Ahab's Monomania and the Capitalist Spirit: A Marxist Reading of Moby-Dick." American Literature, vol. 91, no. 3, 2019, pp. 527-549. This article offers a Marxist interpretation of Ahab's obsession in Moby-Dick. Park argues that Ahab's obsession with the white whale can be seen as a metaphor for the capitalist spirit.

5. Smith, Susan. "Melville and the Post-Colonial: Re-reading Moby-Dick in Light of Contemporary Criticism." Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction, vol. 61, no. 3, 2020, pp. 315-328. This article reinterprets Moby-Dick through a postcolonial lens. Smith argues that the novel can be seen as a critique of European colonialism.

6. Thornburg, David. "Moby-Dick and the Myth of the American Adam: An Interdisciplinary Approach." Modern Language Quarterly, vol. 75, no. 4, 2014, pp. 471-489. This article offers an interdisciplinary perspective on Moby-Dick. Thornburg argues that the novel can be seen as a meditation on the American myth of the Adamic hero.

7. Williams, Linda. "The Whale and the Machine: Technology in Moby-Dick." PMLA, vol. 135, no. 1, 2020, pp. 42-56. This article discusses the depiction of technology in Moby-Dick. Williams argues that the novel's portrayal of technology is both complex and ambivalent.