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'''''Moby-Dick''''' (full title: '''''Moby-Dick, or, the Whale,''''') a [[novel]] by [[Herman Melville]] published November 14, 1851, is considered one of the finest novels in the [[English]] language. Initially a sales flop, it was not recognized as a great literary work until the 1920's.

'''''Moby-Dick''''' (full title: '''''Moby-Dick, or, the Whale,''''') a [[novel]] by [[Herman Melville]] published November 14, 1851, is considered one of the finest novels in the [[English]] language. Initially a sales flop, it was not recognized as a great literary work until the 1920's.

The facts (which take up about 1/3 of the text, the remaining 2/3 of the book is more of an encyclopedia of the American whaling industry) concern an obsession by one Captain Ahab to hunt and kill an albino whale named Moby-Dick, in revenge for the whale's prior attack on Ahab leaving him with only one leg.  The novel addresses the human struggle for meaning, happiness, and salvation.  Historians view ''Moby-Dick'' as the epitome of American Romanticism.  "Call me Ishmael" is the famous beginning of the book, and it cites other biblical figures and themes throughout its story.

The facts (which take up about 1/3 of the text, the remaining 2/3 of the book is more of an encyclopedia of the American whaling industry) concern an obsession by one Captain Ahab to hunt and kill an albino whale named Moby-Dick, in revenge for the whale's prior attack on Ahab leaving him with only one leg.  The novel addresses the human struggle for meaning, happiness, and salvation.  Historians view ''Moby-Dick'' as the epitome of American [[Romanticism]].  "Call me Ishmael" is the famous beginning of the book, and it cites other biblical figures and themes throughout its story.

The story begins with a lengthy onshore prelude. The narrator decides to enlist as a [[sailor]]:

The story begins with a lengthy onshore prelude. The narrator decides to enlist as a [[sailor]]:

He leaves [[Manhattan]] for [[Nantucket]], then the whaling center of America. He takes lodging in an inn where he must share a bed with another sailor. Significantly, he chooses not to object to his bedmate's race or religion.

He leaves [[Manhattan]] for [[Nantucket]], then the whaling center of America. He takes lodging in an inn where he must share a bed with another sailor. Significantly, he chooses not to object to his bedmate's race or religion.

Eventually Captain Ahab and the crew (save for Ishmael) are killed in a failed attempt to kill Moby-Dick.

Captain Ahab and the crew fail in their attempt to kill Moby-Dick.

== Reception ==

== Reception ==