4 ms·

I read Moby Dick two years ago and that book literally shook me to the core. Since then, I cannot help but see any whale reference as imbued with great philosop

by scop 4y ago

I read Moby Dick two years ago and that book literally shook me to the core. Since then, I cannot help but see any whale reference as imbued with great philosophical and metaphysical meaning. However one of the most interesting aspects of the novel was that even as the White Whale took on mythological proportions, the descriptions of whaling and of whales were discussed in precise, scientific terms. Melville kept everything grounded, even as he reached for the heights. I like that this team of scientists is, in a way, doing the same blending (rigorous science + religious belief).

mistrial9 4y ago
but the whaling ship of Captain Ahab is an anti-temple.. the book as I recall it, is a journey through pain, danger and injustice.. building to the journey of dealing with the mental decline of pure authority. It is a psychological tale, but not with anything Divine in it all .. (I read it a long while ago)
- scop 4y ago
  Good points! I agree with your interpretation, but given that it is a novel I see several layers that are simultaneously true. One layer is the psychological drama as you indicate. Another layer is what I would call Captain Ahab's attempt to exact revenge on God. He is a man who lost his leg. He has a "crucifixion in his face". There are various passages in which the injustice of life is discussed. He seems to become a Icarus-type character: one who flies too close to the sun, to pierce the "pasteboard masks". As to how the whale can be interpreted in divine/mythological terms, there are various passages that make biblical illusions. Off the top of my head, one such passage is the chapter on the face of the whale and that it is impossible to look a whale in the eyes: the face is so larger that one cannot in fact behold the whale "face to face", which has echoes in the Old Testament and the inability to behold God face to face. I believe both interpretations are valid and are not exclusionary. There are so many layers!
  - mistrial9 4y ago
    aha - I forgot about the Old Testament character names.. I agree about layers, or multiple interpretations definitely.. Odd trivia: The name of the coffee chain "Starbucks" comes from the first mate Starbuck. There is no relation between this name and coffee. (jp-wikipedia)

by scop 4y ago

mistrial9 4y ago

but the whaling ship of Captain Ahab is an anti-temple.. the book as I recall it, is a journey through pain, danger and injustice.. building to the journey of dealing with the mental decline of pure authority. It is a psychological tale, but not with anything Divine in it all .. (I read it a long while ago)

scop 4y ago
Good points! I agree with your interpretation, but given that it is a novel I see several layers that are simultaneously true. One layer is the psychological drama as you indicate. Another layer is what I would call Captain Ahab's attempt to exact revenge on God. He is a man who lost his leg. He has a "crucifixion in his face". There are various passages in which the injustice of life is discussed. He seems to become a Icarus-type character: one who flies too close to the sun, to pierce the "pasteboard masks". As to how the whale can be interpreted in divine/mythological terms, there are various passages that make biblical illusions. Off the top of my head, one such passage is the chapter on the face of the whale and that it is impossible to look a whale in the eyes: the face is so larger that one cannot in fact behold the whale "face to face", which has echoes in the Old Testament and the inability to behold God face to face. I believe both interpretations are valid and are not exclusionary. There are so many layers!
- mistrial9 4y ago
  aha - I forgot about the Old Testament character names.. I agree about layers, or multiple interpretations definitely.. Odd trivia: The name of the coffee chain "Starbucks" comes from the first mate Starbuck. There is no relation between this name and coffee. (jp-wikipedia)