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| | == Melville and Hawthorne == | | == Melville and Hawthorne == |
| | [[File:512px-Moby Dick final chase.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Moby Dick, as illustrated in a 1902 edition]] | | [[File:512px-Moby Dick final chase.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Moby Dick, as illustrated in a 1902 edition]] |
| − | Herman Melville dedicated his book to [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]], as they were contemporaries who, in 1850, lived near each other in the Massachusetts Berkshires. They met for the first time for a hike up Monument Mountain, leading to a brief friendship, but later had a falling out (the cause of which is unknown). Hawthorne was an early admirer of Melville's writing. In one of Hawthorne's books, a story-teller talking to children in the Tanglewood region, tells them about all the distinguished literati living in the area, and says: | + | Herman Melville dedicated his book to [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]], as they were contemporaries who, in 1850, lived near each other in the Massachusetts Berkshires. On August 5, 1850, which was shortly prior to Melville penning ''Moby-Dick'', he met Nathanael Hawthorne who was already his idol.<ref>https://voegelinview.com/across-the-great-sea-moby-dick-and-the-problem-of-suffering/</ref> They got together for the first time for a hike up Monument Mountain, leading to a brief friendship, but later had a falling out (the cause of which is unknown). Hawthorne was an early admirer of Melville's writing. In one of Hawthorne's books, a story-teller talking to children in the Tanglewood region, tells them about all the distinguished literati living in the area, and says: |
| | :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[sic] looms upon him from his study-window.<ref>Hawthorne, Nathaniel (1852), ''A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys:'' "Bald-Summit. After the Story." [http://www.eldritchpress.org/nh/wb6c.html Online]</ref> | | :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[sic] looms upon him from his study-window.<ref>Hawthorne, Nathaniel (1852), ''A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys:'' "Bald-Summit. After the Story." [http://www.eldritchpress.org/nh/wb6c.html Online]</ref> |
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| | + | == Berkshire home "Arrowhead" == |
| | Melville called his house in the Berkshires "Arrowhead." He lived there from 1850 to 1862. It has been preserved by the Berkshire Historical Society, which offers tours to visitors. The Society has managed to preserve not only the house, but the view of Mount Greylock from his study window. From this angle of view, the mountain resembles the profile of a sperm whale, and was one of the inspirations for his story.<ref>[http://www.mobydick.org/hm.html Herman Melville's Arrowhead] (Berkshire Historical Society website); [http://www.mobydick.org/images/landscape.jpg Mt. Greylock] as viewed today from Arrowhead.</ref> | | Melville called his house in the Berkshires "Arrowhead." He lived there from 1850 to 1862. It has been preserved by the Berkshire Historical Society, which offers tours to visitors. The Society has managed to preserve not only the house, but the view of Mount Greylock from his study window. From this angle of view, the mountain resembles the profile of a sperm whale, and was one of the inspirations for his story.<ref>[http://www.mobydick.org/hm.html Herman Melville's Arrowhead] (Berkshire Historical Society website); [http://www.mobydick.org/images/landscape.jpg Mt. Greylock] as viewed today from Arrowhead.</ref> |
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