Comments on: The True-Life Horror that Inspired Moby-Dick

By: Rugs Melbourne

Rugs Melbourne — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:17:18 +0000

I enjoyed reading this blog. It inspires me and I love adventure!

Cheers!

By: Jonathan Bright

Jonathan Bright — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 01:28:45 +0000

Nice article, but it seems kind of ironic that there is no mention of the earlier work Mocha Dick Or The White Whale of the Pacific (http://www.melville.org/reynolds.htm) by explorer and journalist Jeremiah N. Reynolds, whose persistant and tireless struggle to convince the US Congress for organising an Antarctic expedition eventually led to the US Exploring Expedition (http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/usexex/expedition), the findings and specimens of which, Smithsonian Institution was established to house…

By: Keith McD

Keith McD — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:55:21 +0000

What a thoughful set of comments! I will always be solemnly grateful to the Captain and Crew of the Essex for their unwilling sacrifice in inspiring this most important tale. I smile at the comments regarding whether Moby-Dick is ‘boring’ because that is exactly how I, as a teenager, when forced to read the book, recalled it to be. Only when I reached the advanced age of 50 (!) and after careful re-readings in my 30s/40s, have I come to see the importance of this book, and it’s wonderful depictions of human nature.

Why did whalemen whale? They needed jobs. Why did Nantucket consider neutrality/joining the Commonwealth? To avoid taxation/intervention by Britain. Why did young men willingly go to sea for 3 and 4 year voyages? To escape miserable situations, seek adventure and/or to make their fortunes. Why did New Bedford become a 19th century world capital in its own right? Because it produced a product that everyoneone in the industrial world wanted to have.

It is really no different a path than most of us would choose today to make our own ends meet if we had somewhat limited options. And the wonderful tales of personal relationships that transcend nationality and race are things for all of us to thoughtfully consider.

My views of Moby-Dick are based not only in economic survival and a desire to prosper, but the underlying pressure on individuals to survive and which helped the United States become what it was to become, for better or worse. The need to survive is an ever-present theme of the Essex, and the re-telling of the Essex’ story, from both Mr. Melville and Mr. King helps us to remember the importance and relevance of the voyages of the Esex, and the Pequod. Thanks all, I’ve enjoyed the discussion!

By: Dan Riggs

Dan Riggs — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:13:10 +0000

Moby Dick, more than any other novel, tells us what we are as a people (I do not say who). Look at us now: miles and miles of urban sprawl, carpet stores, furniture outlets bedroom stores, liquor shops; we can be pretty boring. Melville exposes the hidden costs of business quite well, something we are extremely reluctant to acknowledge. This article is excellent seasoning for reading him.

By: P T TOMPKINS

P T TOMPKINS — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:31:40 +0000

MANDATORY READING IN THE 7TH GRADE, WE GRUMBLED THROUGH THE REQUIRED READING. I WONDERED WHY IT WAS IN OUR ENGLISH READER. FOUND YOUR WRITING GREAT READING. WISH I’D READ IT BEFORE SPENDING TIME IN NANTUCKET.
THANK YOU. P T TOMPKINS.

By: Jean Wyatt

Jean Wyatt — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 23:51:17 +0000

I’ve read In the Heart of the Sea and found it to be very compelling. I’ve purchased and given away 2 copies to share the fascinating tale. Well-written Non-fiction, in my opinion, surpasses the best novels. Good article, Smithsonian! jw

By: rhk111

rhk111 — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 22:47:47 +0000

Yep, “Past Imperfect” is becoming one of my favorite blogs to read. Keep it up!!!

By: Mother Flogger

Mother Flogger — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:58:25 +0000

Just leave the whales alone. Let them be. What would compel sane men to get in a leaky boat, to chase down whales?

By: Peter Warren

Peter Warren — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:36:40 +0000

“Moby Dick” is far from boring. It is at the top of my list of the greatest books in American literature. While rooted in a horror story, “Moby Dick” is engaging at all levels. I have read it 5 times.

By: Jerred

Jerred — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 16:58:22 +0000

Sad,very sad but such as nature.