Talk:Moby-Dick

Quiz question?

In Hawthorne's "A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys," the story-teller says to his audience:

"For my part, I wish I had Pegasus here, at this moment," said the student. "I would mount him forthwith, and gallop about the country, within a circumference of a few miles, making literary calls on my brother-authors. Dr. Dewey would be within my reach, at the foot of Taconic. In Stockbridge, yonder, is Mr. James, conspicuous to all the world on his mountain-pile of history and romance. Longfellow, I believe, is not yet at the Ox-bow, else the winged horse would neigh at the sight of him. But, here in Lenox, I should find our most truthful novelist, who has made the scenery and life of Berkshire all her own. On the hither side of Pittsfield sits Herman Melville, shaping out the gigantic conception of his 'White Whale,' while the gigantic shape of Graylock looms upon him from his study-window. Another bound of my flying steed would bring me to the door of Holmes, whom I mention last, because Pegasus would certainly unseat me, the next minute, and claim the poet as his rider."

How many of these names can you identify? All were prominent New England writers and intellectuals in 1850.

• "Dr. Dewey"
• "Mr. James"
• "Longfellow"
• "Herman Melville"
• "Holmes"

Also, who was Pegasus?

REPLY: Is "Pegasus" a reference to Longellow's poem Pegasus in Pound? Probably not - perhaps Longfellow is referring to a neighbor poet.--Aschlafly 21:15, 2 February 2007 (EST)

(No, no, no, you're trying too hard... it's just a simple reference to Pegasus himself, the flying horse, which appears in "The Chimæra," the story which the storyteller has just told...) Dpbsmith 21:34, 2 February 2007 (EST)

Dpbsmith 19:47, 2 February 2007 (EST)

And, for extra credit, diagram the sentence:

Considering, therefore, that squalls and capsizings in the water and consequent bivouacks on the deep, were matters of common occurrence in this kind of life; considering that at the superlatively critical instant of going on to the whale I must resign my life into the hands of him who steered the boat—oftentimes a fellow who at that very moment is in his impetuousness upon the point of scuttling the craft with his own frantic stampings; considering that the particular disaster to our own particular boat was chiefly to be imputed to Starbuck's driving on to his whale almost in the teeth of a squall, and considering that Starbuck, notwithstanding, was famous for his great heedfulness in the fishery; considering that I belonged to this uncommonly prudent Starbuck's boat; and finally considering in what a devil's chase I was implicated, touching the White Whale: taking all things together, I say, I thought I might as well go below and make a rough draft of my will.

-)

Dpbsmith 20:34, 2 February 2007 (EST)

"Christian" Novel

Sorry about the garbled edit summary of my last post (accidental copy-paste): it should read "that description was originally added by a known vandal. if you really feel that the descriptor 'christian' belongs, please discuss on the talk page. i am inclined to think it does not". I have not actually read the entire book, but the few summaries I looked at seemed to indicate this is inaccurate. since it was originally added by a blocked user I believe it to be nonsense. If you disagree, please discuss here.

I agree with you, and that is why I removed "Christian" in the first place (which was hardly "vandalism"). I have read the novel 3 or 4 times and have an advanced degree in English, and I can assure you that it is not, and is not regarded as, a Christian novel. One might argue that it has some Christian themes (I would not), and a section on those themes could be added to the article. ChrisFV 17:38, 24 October 2009 (EDT)

I also agree. --Joaquín Martínez 17:46, 24 October 2009 (EDT)

I agree too. I would say that Moby-Dick exploits some Christian themes and includes some symbolism to appeal to a Christian audience, but is not a Christian novel in any meaningful way.--Andy Schlafly 17:52, 24 October 2009 (EDT)