Wait for it...Coming soon, a breakdown of the first 400 pages....OMG where to start. I think this quote about Ulysses might sum up Moby Dick. "The paradox of Ulysses is that one needs to read it to understand 20th century literature, but one needs to read 20th century literature to build up the stamina to read Ulysses". I think the same can be said of Melville's work, except in place of the 20th century it should be all literature that came before it. Early on it seems likely that one cannot trust this Ishmael as a reliable narrator. Oh he knows stuff, but can he be trusted. Time will tell. The best character at the beginning is, of course, Queequeg. Melville's writing is filled with paradox (Ahab, "an ungodly, godlike man"), allusion (too numerous to mention), and clever word play ("try pot luck at the Try Pots (restaurant)"). There is a narrative shift early on (well chapter 28) but it is more of an experiment than full-on modernism. Though the mid-novel play might be a precursor to modernism, I think. Well, maybe. In Chapter 42 there is a brilliant run-on sentence (Alaina would clearly disapprove) and a nod to Coleridge and his albatross. And a run on WHITE. Most importantly, kill the white whale. By Chapter 49 it seems likely that Ishmael has done very little whaling. Funny quote, "but that would be too long a story" Well funny for me re: discussions in the staff room.
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