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Neither Believer nor Infidel: Skepticism and Faith in Melville's Shorter Fiction and Poetry
Shedding new light on both classic and lesser-known works in the Melville canon with particular attention to the author's literary use of the Bible, Neither Believer Nor Infidel examines the debate between religious skepticism and Christian faith that infused Herman Melville's writings following Moby-Dick. Jonathan A. Cook's study is the first to focus on the decisive role of faith and doubt in Melville's writings following his mid-career turn to shorter fiction, and still later to poetry, as a result of the commercial failures of Moby-Dick and Pierre . Nathaniel Hawthorne claimed that Melville "can neither believe nor be comfortable in his unbelief," a remark that encapsulates an essential truth about Melville's attitude to Christianity. Like many of his Victorian contemporaries, Melville spent his literary career poised between an intellectual rejection of Christian dogma and an emotional attachment to the consolations of non-dogmatic Christian faith. Accompanying this ambivalence was a lifelong devotion to the text of the King James Bible as both moral sourcebook and literary template. Following a biographical overview of skeptical influences and manifestations in Melville's early life and career, Cook examines the evidence of religious doubt and belief in "Bartleby, the Scrivener," "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!," "The Encantadas," Israel Potter, Battle-Pieces, Timoleon , and Billy Budd. Accessible for both the general reader and the scholar, Neither Believer Nor Infidel clarifies the ambiguities of Melville's pervasive use of religion in his fiction and poetry. In analyzing Melville's persistent oscillation between metaphysical rebellion and attenuated belief, Cook elucidates both well-known and under-appreciated works.
282 pages, Hardcover
Published August 15, 2023
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About the author
Jonathan A. Cook
9 booksThere are multiple authors called Jonathan Cook. See Jonathan Cook, Jonathan Cook, Jonathan Cook, Jonathan Cook, Jonathan M. Cook, Jonathan Chase Cook, Jonathan C. Cook.
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March 23, 2026
In Neither Believer nor Infidel, Jonathan Cook offers a deeply considered and intellectually rigorous study of Herman Melville, illuminating the persistent tension between faith and doubt that shaped his literary imagination. This work stands as a thoughtful contribution to both literary scholarship and the broader study of nineteenth-century religious and cultural history.
Cook situates Melville within a wider transatlantic context of Victorian intellectual life, where belief was rarely static and often marked by uncertainty, inquiry, and reinterpretation. Rather than presenting skepticism as a fixed endpoint, the book portrays it as part of an ongoing process. One that informed Melville’s creative output and sharpened his engagement with enduring theological and philosophical questions. This framing allows readers to appreciate the nuanced ways in which religious concerns continued to animate his writing, even in moments of apparent estrangement from formal doctrine.
A particular strength of the study lies in its close readings of Melville’s prose and poetry, where Cook traces the transformation of biblical themes, moral philosophy, and classical influences into a distinctive literary vision. Through careful analysis, he demonstrates how Melville reworked inherited traditions such as scriptural, philosophical, and aesthetic; into narratives that probe the limits of charity, justice, suffering, and human purpose. These interpretations are presented with clarity and precision, revealing a writer deeply engaged with the moral complexities of his age.
Cook’s attention to historical context further enriches the study. By connecting Melville’s intellectual development to broader currents such as secularization, scientific advancement, and shifting cultural attitudes, he provides a compelling account of how literature both reflects and responds to moments of profound societal change. The result is a portrait of Melville not simply as an isolated genius, but as a participant in an evolving dialogue about belief, meaning, and modernity.
Equally notable is the book’s exploration of Melville’s later works, where questions of morality, artistic purpose, and existential reflection are treated with a quiet intensity. Cook highlights how these writings continue to grapple with the legacy of religious thought while opening new avenues for understanding human experience beyond conventional frameworks of faith.
Written in a polished and accessible style, Neither Believer nor Infidel balances scholarly depth with readability, making it valuable to both specialists and general readers with an interest in literature, religion, and intellectual history. It is a work of impressive scope and insight, offering a sustained meditation on one of the central tensions of the nineteenth century; one that remains strikingly relevant today.
Cook situates Melville within a wider transatlantic context of Victorian intellectual life, where belief was rarely static and often marked by uncertainty, inquiry, and reinterpretation. Rather than presenting skepticism as a fixed endpoint, the book portrays it as part of an ongoing process. One that informed Melville’s creative output and sharpened his engagement with enduring theological and philosophical questions. This framing allows readers to appreciate the nuanced ways in which religious concerns continued to animate his writing, even in moments of apparent estrangement from formal doctrine.
A particular strength of the study lies in its close readings of Melville’s prose and poetry, where Cook traces the transformation of biblical themes, moral philosophy, and classical influences into a distinctive literary vision. Through careful analysis, he demonstrates how Melville reworked inherited traditions such as scriptural, philosophical, and aesthetic; into narratives that probe the limits of charity, justice, suffering, and human purpose. These interpretations are presented with clarity and precision, revealing a writer deeply engaged with the moral complexities of his age.
Cook’s attention to historical context further enriches the study. By connecting Melville’s intellectual development to broader currents such as secularization, scientific advancement, and shifting cultural attitudes, he provides a compelling account of how literature both reflects and responds to moments of profound societal change. The result is a portrait of Melville not simply as an isolated genius, but as a participant in an evolving dialogue about belief, meaning, and modernity.
Equally notable is the book’s exploration of Melville’s later works, where questions of morality, artistic purpose, and existential reflection are treated with a quiet intensity. Cook highlights how these writings continue to grapple with the legacy of religious thought while opening new avenues for understanding human experience beyond conventional frameworks of faith.
Written in a polished and accessible style, Neither Believer nor Infidel balances scholarly depth with readability, making it valuable to both specialists and general readers with an interest in literature, religion, and intellectual history. It is a work of impressive scope and insight, offering a sustained meditation on one of the central tensions of the nineteenth century; one that remains strikingly relevant today.
Displaying 1 of 1 review