Melville Prompts #2

Note 1:  Pick one "minor" character in Moby-Dick.  Ishmael, Queequeg, and Ahab are off limits, as are Stubb and Starbuck.  Good options include Fedallah, Tashtego, Bulkington, and Pip.  First, carefully search through the text to make sure that you know all places where your character appears.  Use an etext to make life easy!  Here's the link.  Conduct an analysis of the role of that character in the novel through this week's reading, focusing on a single, clear argument.  You might, optionally, include outside research. For instance, you might argue that Tashtego's behavior in the novel has something to do with the history of his tribe.  Focus on one or more specific passages!


Note 2:  Skim through the entirety of the extracts at the beginning of the novel.  After picking a single quotation which interests you, present an argument for how some aspect of the novel (including, again, at least one cited passages) should be read differently, given what that extract shows us about Melville's purposes or intentions.


Notes 3:  Use Marcuse to read Melville.  You need to have an argument, and to cite both authors.  Other than that, the details are up to you.