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Line 1: − [[Image:Mobydicktitlepage.jpg|right|thumb]]+ − + + + + + + + + + − − The novel is, however, challenging for young readers. It is long (over 210,000 words, compared to, for example, 85,000 for ''The Scarlet Letter.'') It was written for a literate adult audience, contains difficult vocabulary ("unctuous," "abhorrence," "quadruped," "gourmand"), and uses the long sentences typical of the writing of the day.<ref>For example, from chapter 49: "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."</ref> Line 15:
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{{infobox book
'''''Moby-Dick''''' (full title: '''''Moby-Dick, or, the Whale,''''') a novel by [[Herman Melville]] published in 1851, is considered one of the finest novels in the English language. The facts concern an obsession by one Captain Ahab to hunt and kill an albino whale named Moby-Dick. 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.
| image = Mobydicktitlepage.jpg
| caption = Title page of the first edition
| name = Moby-Dick
| author = [[Herman Melville]]
| language = [[English]]
| yearpublished = 1851
}}
'''''Moby-Dick''''' (full title: '''''Moby-Dick, or, the Whale,''''') a [[Christian]] novel by [[Herman Melville]] published in 1851, is considered one of the finest novels in the English language. The facts concern an obsession by one Captain Ahab to hunt and kill an albino whale named Moby-Dick. 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 initial reviews of the novel were critical. It sank into obscurity until the 1920s, when the "rediscovery" of Moby-Dick took place. It was led by scholar and critic Raymond Weaver, who published a scholarly biography of Melville in 1921. The publication of a 1930 edition with illustrations by [[Rockwell Kent]] was a major event, which boosted the popularity of the work.
The initial reviews of the novel were critical. It sank into obscurity until the 1920s, when the "rediscovery" of Moby-Dick took place. It was led by scholar and critic Raymond Weaver, who published a scholarly biography of Melville in 1921. The publication of a 1930 edition with illustrations by [[Rockwell Kent]] was a major event, which boosted the popularity of the work.
Now, more than 150 years after its publication, it is less popular among teachers. The shifting popularity of the novel may reflect the shifting views toward Christianity in American schools, as the novel's invocation of religion was perhaps too superficial for schools in the 1850s but too much for schools today.
Now, more than 150 years after its publication, it is less popular among teachers. The shifting popularity of the novel may reflect the shifting views toward Christianity in American schools, as the novel's invocation of religion was perhaps too superficial for schools in the 1850s but too much for schools today.
[[Nathaniel Hawthorne]] and Herman Melville were contemporaries, and in 1850, they 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, and Melville dedicated ''Moby-Dick'' to Hawthorne. In one of Hawthorne's books, a story-teller talking to children in the Tanglewood area, tells them about all the distinguished literati living in the area, and says:
[[Nathaniel Hawthorne]] and Herman Melville were contemporaries, and in 1850, they 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, and Melville dedicated ''Moby-Dick'' to Hawthorne. In one of Hawthorne's books, a story-teller talking to children in the Tanglewood area, tells them about all the distinguished literati living in the area, and says:
:In the year 1820 the ship Essex, Captain Pollard, of Nantucket, was cruising in the Pacific Ocean. One day she saw spouts, lowered her boats, and gave chase to a shoal of sperm whales. Ere long, several of the whales were wounded; when, suddenly, a very large whale escaping from the boats, issued from the shoal, and bore directly down upon the ship. Dashing his forehead against her hull, he so stove her in, that in less than "ten minutes" she settled down and fell over.<ref>Melville, Herman, ''Moby-Dick,'' chapter 45</ref>
:In the year 1820 the ship Essex, Captain Pollard, of Nantucket, was cruising in the Pacific Ocean. One day she saw spouts, lowered her boats, and gave chase to a shoal of sperm whales. Ere long, several of the whales were wounded; when, suddenly, a very large whale escaping from the boats, issued from the shoal, and bore directly down upon the ship. Dashing his forehead against her hull, he so stove her in, that in less than "ten minutes" she settled down and fell over.<ref>Melville, Herman, ''Moby-Dick,'' chapter 45</ref>
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>
== 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>
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>
==The movie==
== Film Version ==
A famous 1956 screen adaptation was directed by John Huston and starred Gregory Peck, with a skillful screenplay by Ray Bradbury. When it was released, ''New York Times'' reviewer Bosley Crowther devoutly recommended it as "one of the great motion pictures of our times." He said it was "composed like a symphony" and that "Space does not possibly permit us to cite all the things about this film that are brilliantly done or developed."<ref>Crowther, Bosley (1956), "Screen: John Huston and Melville's White Whale, ''The New York Times,'' July 5, 1956, p. 18</ref>
A famous 1956 screen adaptation was directed by John Huston and starred Gregory Peck, with a skillful screenplay by Ray Bradbury. When it was released, ''New York Times'' reviewer Bosley Crowther devoutly recommended it as "one of the great motion pictures of our times." He said it was "composed like a symphony" and that "Space does not possibly permit us to cite all the things about this film that are brilliantly done or developed."<ref>Crowther, Bosley (1956), "Screen: John Huston and Melville's White Whale, ''The New York Times,'' July 5, 1956, p. 18</ref>