Tag Archives: Moby Dick

Bookish Talk

Moby Dick Monday: January 4, 2010 (Week 8)

9 Comments

Welcome to Moby Dick Monday! This is where we read four pages a day and then post about what we’ve read. Consider it an adventure of sorts!

My Story Re-Cap:

This week’s reading takes us through the various descriptions of Moby Dick as described by Ishmael.

For, it was not so much his uncommon bulk that so much distinguished him from other sperm whales, but, as was elsewhere thrown out— a peculiar snow-white wrinkled forehead, and a high, pyramidical white hump. These are his prominent features; the tokens whereby, even in the limitless, uncharted seas, he revealed his identity, at a long distance to those that knew him.

The rest of his body was so streaked, and spotted, and marbled, with the same shrouded hue, that, in the end, he had gained his distinctive appellation of the White Whale; a name indeed, literally justified by his vivid aspect, when seen gliding at high noon through a dark blue sea, leaving a milky-wake of creamy foam all spangled with golden gleamings.

What I just shared with you pretty much says it all yet Melville takes an additional 29 pages to drive the point home. Yes, Moby is known as the White Whale and at times he is seen with an ethereal glow. I get it!

My Rambling Thoughts:

As I was going through this week’s reading, all I could think of is that scene from Back to School where Sam Kinison is screaming at Rodney Dangerfield, “Say it! Just say it!” A lot of what Melville includes is quite lovely but thirty pages of the same thing, said in twenty different ways. UGH!

Here’s the video clip to give you an idea of what I was feeling while reading this week. The part that I mentioned is right around 2:18.

Reading Along With Me:

Jill/Softdrink of Fizzy Thoughts
Jill of RhapsodyinBooks
Dar of Peeking Between the Pages
Eva of A Striped Armchair
Wisteria from Bookworm’s Dinner
Gavin from Page247
Claire from kiss a cloud
Sandra from Fresh Ink Books

For those that are participating, share your post links in comments. What do you think so far? Oh, and if anyone wants to join us just leave me a message below.

Bookish Talk

Moby Dick Monday: December 28, 2009 (Week 7)

6 Comments

Welcome to Moby Dick Monday! This is where we read four pages a day and then post about what we’ve read. Consider it an adventure of sorts!

My Story Re-Cap:

The most notable chapter from this week’s reading had to do with the cabin table. Meaning, where the crew eats and in which order. As you can imagine, there is a certain order to meals. Captain Ahab heads down to the cabin first and is followed by Stubb and Flask. Once Ahab eats his full, and pushes his plate away…it is expected that Stubb and Flask do the same. Flask points out to us that this sometimes means that he never gets his fill! After these officers complete their meal, the harpooners, Tashtego, Daggoo and Queequeg are allowed to eat theirs and with the work that they are required to do, they eat their fill and then some!

One morning, Captain Ahab calls the crew up to the quarter-deck and gives them a pep talk like no other. He offers up a sixteen-dollar piece of Spanish gold to anyone that sees the white whale known as Moby Dick. It is explained at this time, that Moby Dick is the whale responsible for Ahab’s bone-leg. The crew is excited over this offer, but in private, they also believe that Ahab has lost his mind.

My Rambling Thoughts:

Melville has a bit of fun with this part of the story. One of the chapters is formatted like a screenplay. Although most of what was said in this format was forgettable at best, I did appreciate the change of format. It was a welcome change of pace.

Reading Along With Me:

Jill/Softdrink of Fizzy Thoughts
Jill of RhapsodyinBooks
Dar of Peeking Between the Pages
Eva of A Striped Armchair
Wisteria from Bookworm’s Dinner
Gavin from Page247 (will join us in mid to late December)
Claire from kiss a cloud (will join us in 2010)

For those that are participating, share your post links in comments. What do you think so far? Oh, and if anyone wants to join us just leave me a message below.