One of the most crucial extracts at the beginning of the novel is the story of Jonah in New Bedford by Father Maple, a former harpooner. This story is used to illustrate the dangers of the sea but also its sanity and solemnly. It is therefore not surprising that Melville finds it so important. This story is the basis for many legends and artistic representations concerning the leviathan.

Reading ‘Moby-Dick’ in a time of quarantine: Week 2



Cat’s Cradle Study Guide | GradeSaver
The novel begins with the famous statement by the book's narrator: "Call me Ishmael. He does so because he may be paid and because it affords him wholesome exercise and pure sea air. The novel Moby Dick is one of the most ambitious in American literature, one which encompasses several genres and styles of writing. It is a travelogue, a character study and an allegory. Linking each of the episodes of the novel and bridging these various genres is the character Ishmael, the narrator of the novel and the lens from which the reader views the action of Melville's work. The first chapter establishes Ishmael as a prototype, a working man and observer who claims no defining characters; his simplicity is a key to the novel, for it places Ishmael as an everyman whose character is subordinate to the other characters and occurrences of the novel.


The story of Jonah
He's the most intimidating player for rugby's most intimidating team. He's 6'5, pounds and can run the meter dash in Combine that with his amazing ball skills and his mind-boggling ability to break tackles and you have the world's greatest rugby player - hands down. Jonah was born in Auckland, New Zealand on May 12,



Like a tourist, Melville met local dignitaries, dined out and took in the sights of the village he had previously only imagined. Captain George Pollard Jr. Pollard lived out his remaining years on land, as the village night watchman.