Again, a superb synthetic synopsis of America. Since it was brought up in the conversation, I'll add that bin Laden wasn't the mastermind of 911. The buildings all fell free fall which is impossible for any fire to cause that. I wonder if that changes the hypocrisy?
I, too, believe this novel to be about and a description of "America". When I first read it, I researched a lot and found a dissertation from 2006 about the names in Moby Dick to be fascinating- another "inroad" to Melville's "messages". The author is CONSTANTINE CHRISTODOULOU- the dissertation was Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY-
technology eludes me and I can't paste a link, but I encourage everyone interested to look this up. Here is some of what the author is talking about:
"Chapter III analyzes samples of Melville’s Polynesian adoptions and adaptations from the above narratives to emphasize the role of the Polynesian language in his Pacific experience. This chapter’s intention is to underline the interaction between Melville’s Polynesian language and culture and his texts, which engendered a complex multicultural aesthetic that permeated his first three works, continued to influence his later writings, and contributed significantly to his cosmopolitan vision of American cultural identity.
Chapter IV contains the dictionary, which incorporates approximately two hundred entries. Each entry is divided into four sections. The first is a series of quotes from Melville’s texts that illustrate the various meanings that Melville has given to the term being examined. The second is a list of definitions from various dialects, intended to underline the various Polynesian linguistic elements that Melville adopted or adapted to construct each particular term. The third is an interpretative paragraph that explains how each term is divided into its constituent parts based on Melville’s aesthetic. The fourth section contains specific quotes from other sources of the particular term that underline the significance of that source to Melville’s knowledge of the particular term.
Chapter V concludes with the idea that this dissertation is meant as a starting guide to reexamining Melville’s Polynesian aesthetic."
I've been attracted to MOBY DICK since I first read it as a seventh grader. I of course didn't think much about symbolism, critical interpretations, or anything like that way back then, but something about the book kept me coming back to it over and over again. (It's probably what inspired me to have a blacksmith make me a replica of a 19th-century harpoon, which hangs in my library. Go figure .). Just a terrific interpretation of one of the greatest books ever written.
Again, a superb synthetic synopsis of America. Since it was brought up in the conversation, I'll add that bin Laden wasn't the mastermind of 911. The buildings all fell free fall which is impossible for any fire to cause that. I wonder if that changes the hypocrisy?
I, too, believe this novel to be about and a description of "America". When I first read it, I researched a lot and found a dissertation from 2006 about the names in Moby Dick to be fascinating- another "inroad" to Melville's "messages". The author is CONSTANTINE CHRISTODOULOU- the dissertation was Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY-
technology eludes me and I can't paste a link, but I encourage everyone interested to look this up. Here is some of what the author is talking about:
"Chapter III analyzes samples of Melville’s Polynesian adoptions and adaptations from the above narratives to emphasize the role of the Polynesian language in his Pacific experience. This chapter’s intention is to underline the interaction between Melville’s Polynesian language and culture and his texts, which engendered a complex multicultural aesthetic that permeated his first three works, continued to influence his later writings, and contributed significantly to his cosmopolitan vision of American cultural identity.
Chapter IV contains the dictionary, which incorporates approximately two hundred entries. Each entry is divided into four sections. The first is a series of quotes from Melville’s texts that illustrate the various meanings that Melville has given to the term being examined. The second is a list of definitions from various dialects, intended to underline the various Polynesian linguistic elements that Melville adopted or adapted to construct each particular term. The third is an interpretative paragraph that explains how each term is divided into its constituent parts based on Melville’s aesthetic. The fourth section contains specific quotes from other sources of the particular term that underline the significance of that source to Melville’s knowledge of the particular term.
Chapter V concludes with the idea that this dissertation is meant as a starting guide to reexamining Melville’s Polynesian aesthetic."
An excellent discussion of the meaning of Moby Dick.
Chris that was such a provocative thought provoking interview. I loved it. Moby Dick is timeless wisdom and understanding.
I've been attracted to MOBY DICK since I first read it as a seventh grader. I of course didn't think much about symbolism, critical interpretations, or anything like that way back then, but something about the book kept me coming back to it over and over again. (It's probably what inspired me to have a blacksmith make me a replica of a 19th-century harpoon, which hangs in my library. Go figure .). Just a terrific interpretation of one of the greatest books ever written.
Thank you.
Moby Dick. Can't be beat as the greatest Modern novel. My favorite chapters: "The Monkey Rope", and "Brit".
I wish the intro song was dark was the night, cold was the ground- blind willie Johnson