Moby Dick (Wordsworth Classics)

Moby Dick, the captivating tale penned by the renowned author Herman Melville, is a story that delves into the obsession of Captain Ahab's quest to avenge the whale that had reaped his leg. This novel is not merely a diabolical study of how a man can become a fanatic, but also a hymn to democracy. As the crew, led by the relentless Ahab, embarks on their appalling crusade, the novel simultaneously portrays the image of a cooperative community at work, where all hands are dependent on one another, and each individual is responsible for the security of the whole.

At the heart of this narrative is Ishmael, the novel's narrator, who is an ordinary sailor but an extraordinary reader. The story he tells is digressive, allusive, vulgar, and transcendent, serving as an education in the practice of whaling and the art of writing. With an introduction and notes by David Herd, a lecturer in English and American Literature at the University of Kent at Canterbury, readers are guided through the complexities and nuances of this literary masterpiece.

The quest for vengeance that drives Captain Ahab is a central theme of the novel, as he relentlessly pursues the whale that had taken his leg. This obsession becomes a diabolical study of how a man can become a fanatic, consumed by a singular purpose to the exclusion of all else. However, the novel also serves as a hymn to democracy, as the crew, despite their involvement in Ahab's appalling crusade, is depicted as a cooperative community at work, where each individual is responsible for the security of the whole.

Ishmael, the novel's narrator, is a complex and multifaceted character. As an ordinary sailor, he provides a unique perspective on the world of whaling, but as an extraordinary reader, he brings a depth of understanding and insight to the narrative that elevates it beyond a simple seafaring tale. Ishmael's storytelling is marked by its digressiveness, allusiveness, vulgarity, and transcendence, offering the reader an education not only in the practice of whaling but also in the art of writing itself.

The introduction and notes by David Herd provide valuable context and analysis, guiding the reader through the complexities of Melville's masterpiece. Herd's expertise in English and American Literature shines through, offering a nuanced and insightful perspective on the themes, symbols, and literary techniques that make Moby Dick a timeless and enduring work of art.

In conclusion, Moby Dick is a captivating and multifaceted novel that explores the depths of human obsession, the nature of democracy, and the power of storytelling. Through Ishmael's unique perspective and Melville's masterful writing, readers are drawn into a world of whaling, vengeance, and the human condition, ultimately emerging with a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human experience.

product information: