Melville Notes[1]
description
Transcript of Melville Notes[1]
Herman
Melville
1819 - 1891
A Great American NovelistA Great American Novelist• Because of his father’s death, he was
forced to leave school at thirteen to support his family
• At age nineteen, he signed on a British ship and began the life of a sailor
A Great American Novelist (cont.)A Great American Novelist (cont.)
• His works included his experiences at sea (enduring the harsh environment and befriending cannibals)
• He was influenced by his love of the sea, the period of romanticism, material progress and the development of democracy
Moby DickMoby Dick
• Known as the greatest American novel• A combination of his life, his times, his
genius, and his struggle to understand the nature of man’s very existence
• Published in 1851 and originally titled The Whale
• Became popular in the 1920’s
Moby Dick (cont.)Moby Dick (cont.)• Captain Ahab in his
demonic pursuit of the white whale exemplified the dark side of individualism
• Famous first line–“Call me Ishmael”