Herman Melville : an introduction / Wyn Kelley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kelley, Wyn.

Series:

Blackwell introductions to literature ; 19.

Blackwell introductions to literature ; 19

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Melville, Herman, 1819-1891--Criticism and interpretation.

Melville, Herman.

Melville, Herman, 1819-1891.

Criticism and interpretation.

Physical Description:

xv, 228 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Malden, MA : Blackwell Pub., 2008.

Summary:

This unique introduction explores Herman Melville as he described himself in Billy Budd-a writer whom few know. Moving beyond the recurring depiction of Melville as the famous author of Moby-Dick, this book traces his development as a writer while providing the basic tools for successful critical reading of his novels. Using the extraordinary Agatha correspondence with Nathaniel Hawthorne as a key to Melville's writing practices, beliefs and inclinations, the volume introduces Melville as a writer who constantly reflected on his craft and experimented with new forms and genres.Arranged chronologically, the volume focuses on Typee, Moby-Dick, and Billy Budd, as well as other novels, short fiction, and poems as appropriate, to explore Melville's distinctive narrative style. A biography, summaries of key works, interpretation, commentary, and an extensive bibliography are all included.

Contents:

1 Melville's Life 3

2 "Agatha" and the Invention of Narrative 12

Part II Melville's Early Yarns 25

3 "Making Literary Use of the Story": Typee and Omoo 27

4 "A Regular Story Founded on Striking Incidents": Mardi, Redburn, and White-Jacket 42

Part III Writing New Gospel in Moby-Dick and Pierre 55

5 "So Much of Pathos & So Much of Depth": Moby-Dick 57

6 "All Tender Obligations": Pierre 83

Part IV Turning a New Leaf: Short Fiction, Israel Potter, and The Confidence-Man 95

7 "A Leaf from Professional Experience": Short Fiction of the 1850s 97

8 "Peculiarly Latitudinarian Notions": Israel Potter and The Confidence-Man 123

Part V Melville's Later Career 135

9 "Fulness & Veins & Beauty": Battle-Pieces and Clarel 137

10 "Different Considerations": Late Poetry 160

11 "Instinct with Significance": Billy Budd 175

Afterword: "Restoring To You Your Own Property": Owning Melville 188

Appendix The "Agatha" Correspondence 191.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [206]-216) and index.

ISBN:

9781405131575

1405131578

9781405131582

1405131586

OCLC:

123377328

Online:

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