MHSHS Reading Group discussion
Moby Dick
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I somewhat agree with what Geoffrey is saying, but I don't agree with what he says about the descriptions of the little scenes. I actually like how Melville describes some small scenes throughout the book. I think that the longer descriptions allow me to visualize the setting, thus making me feel like I am in the book. In my opinion, I feel as though Melville's writing style can become rather insipid at some points. He generally does not interject between the dialogue, which can make the parts with vast amounts of dialogue, seem like it never ends. I also agree with Gefforey on the fact that the book is meant for a college basis because the author does use an extensive vocabulary while describing certian points of the book. I believe the main flaw in the book is the lack of interjections makes reading the book painful at times, but in general, Moby Dick is both interesting and well written.
Now first of all I completely agree with what Geoffrey has stated about Moby Dick. When I first picked up Moby Dick by Herman Melville I was kind of shocked particularly due to the complex writing style of Herman. Another important element I cant stress enough to point out is how the setting is over explained, now what I mean by that is how it would take Ismael (main character) a whole chapter to talk about inn's and a village(gets you off topic). Later on when one continues to read it, you kind of get a hang of how to read the story more efficiently. The story does contain a note of comedy to it for example when Ismael is being introduced to the harpooner Q. It would be more entertaining if Herman had added some whale action already. In conclusion, Herman seems to be the type of author that focuses mostly on the literary devices of characterization and setting rather than conflict, I would recommend this Book to readers who are in the pursuance of a challenging piece of writing. (Also helps with SAT vocab and configures the readers mind to adapt to the more variegated articles).
I don't agree with any of you. I think this book is horrible. It takes too long to get into the main storyline. I would never recommend this book to another person
Geoffrey Co: I feel that the author like many have critiqued in the past wasn't focused at the time due to the great amount of "unnecessary detail"; at least in my perspective. For those of you reading this book, What is your opinion on Melville's writing style in Moby Dick so far? What could he do better?
My Response: Well in my perspective like I've said, I do feel that he's writing was a little unfocused. I feel strongly on that opinion because of how badly the book transitions from topic to topic. Though I do have to admit that I love his portrayal of certain ideas and thoughts with use of metaphors. By that fact I say that it is also meant to be read at a college basis morally because of the extent and difficulty of the grammar and vocabulary in the book. I also think that Melville, using the voice of Ismael in the book, uses too many broad statements and interpretations to describe such a little scene. Some of the pictures don't even follow the main point of the story. I do have to admit however that the story begins to get interesting as the well renoun Captain Ahab makes his appearance in the mid 160's. The whole point of the book is meant to be about whaling so I'm not surprised that it wouldn't talk about the lives of sailors. Though it took quite a long while for me just to get to the part in detail about the whalings, which was around pages above 200. As of now since I'm at 207 and currently reading past it for the next couple of hours, I say that he should've worked on using less detail and focused more on transitioning towards the plot. Other than my previous negative comments, I feel that it is a highly compelling story, only soon after you get into it.