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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. Totaling 212,758 words, this novel is longer than most. | | '''''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. Totaling 212,758 words, this novel is longer than most. |
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| − | 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" (the narrator) is the famous beginning of the book, who is a famous person in the [[Book of Genesis]]. Captain Ahab, the central figure in the novel, is named after the demonic ruler who worshiped idols in {{bibleref|1Kings|16:28–22:40}}. Moby-Dick has many biblical references. | + | 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" (the narrator) is the famous beginning of the book, who is a famous person in the [[Book of Genesis]]. Captain Ahab, the central figure in the novel, is named after the demonic ruler who worshiped idols in {{bibleref|1Kings|16:28–22:40}}. Moby-Dick has many biblical references. |
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| | + | The [[Starbucks]] coffee chain is named after Starbuck, Captain Ahab's first mate in ''Moby-Dick.''<ref>[http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/Company_Factsheet.pdf Starbucks company factsheet (PDF)]</ref> The Starbucks owners also considered naming the chain "Pequod", after the ship in ''Moby-Dick''. |
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| | The story begins with a lengthy onshore prelude. Ishmael decides to enlist as a [[sailor]]: | | The story begins with a lengthy onshore prelude. Ishmael decides to enlist as a [[sailor]]: |
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| | == Trivia == | | == Trivia == |
| − | * The [[Starbucks]] coffee chain is, indeed, named after Starbuck, Captain Ahab's first mate in ''Moby-Dick.''<ref>[http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/Company_Factsheet.pdf Starbucks company factsheet (PDF)]</ref>
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| | * In 2007, a fifth-grade elementary school class in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, petitioned the state legislature to designate Moby-Dick the official state book.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/05/01/in_pittsfield_a_mighty_hope_for_a_great_tale/ In Pittsfield, a Mighty Hope for a Great Tale], ''The Boston Globe,'' May 1, 2007</ref> | | * In 2007, a fifth-grade elementary school class in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, petitioned the state legislature to designate Moby-Dick the official state book.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/05/01/in_pittsfield_a_mighty_hope_for_a_great_tale/ In Pittsfield, a Mighty Hope for a Great Tale], ''The Boston Globe,'' May 1, 2007</ref> |
| | * Progressive [[heavy metal]] band [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon's]] 2004 album ''Leviathan'' was based loosely on the story of ''Moby-Dick'' | | * Progressive [[heavy metal]] band [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon's]] 2004 album ''Leviathan'' was based loosely on the story of ''Moby-Dick'' |