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'''''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.

'''''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:

: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>