tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post2134966586573298873..comments2024-03-26T22:47:45.276-07:00Comments on Intro to Critical Reading: Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16302919444091859459noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post-15997831550347644582011-04-10T18:05:20.712-07:002011-04-10T18:05:20.712-07:00This seems like a great idea for a revision; it wi...This seems like a great idea for a revision; it will be very interesting to see how you reveal the spiritual meanings for these scientific chapters. The biggest obstacle I think you will encounter with the revision is, as you have mentioned, the structure. I fear that the paper may become repetitive if you simply list carnal readings versus spiritual readings for the various chapters; it would be beneficial for you to come up with a clever way to discuss the various meanings without sounding repetitive. Finally, think it would be very helpful if you used plenty of research to support your arguments.Tamara Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15984012052602081923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post-87217381753216445572011-04-09T12:46:31.390-07:002011-04-09T12:46:31.390-07:00I am certainly in favor of exploring the cetology ...I am certainly in favor of exploring the cetology chapter, both in its carnal and spiritual dimensions, and I am also in favor of a broader reading of the scientific chapters of Moby-Dick. Cutting out the more technological/whaling chapters seems like it's probably a good idea, which will naturally lead to an at least somewhat enhanced focused.<br /><br />The danger here is that you'll struggle to develop a clear argument, which is why the only thing really on my mind now is: <i>what is your spiritual reading</i>? You might begin simply by asking why you are so interested in this material. Maybe it's just the appeal of bringing together zoology and literature - but maybe there's more. You struggled a little with that problem in the previous drafts; to turn it into a successful final project, you *need* to come up with an articulate answer (maybe it's only a contingent or partial answer, but you need something).<br /><br />Let me imagine how I might go about doing this. Cetology (I'll keep my example narrow) is straightforward in a carnal way: it describes, sometimes sarcastically, the existing scientific system, including nomenclature, for understanding whales.<br /><br />Spiritually, we are surely supposed to think of systems, especially scientific systems, in a more general or comprehensive way. What do scientific systems mean, collectively or individually? Is Melville praising or attacking scientific systems in general (or some particular scientific system)?<br /><br />Focus briefly on zoology. Melville is *doing* something here (I propose). Zoology is here because it matters. I'd argue that at least *a* spiritual meaning of cetology is that only whales, but also people (and gods...) are being understood through scientific systems. We might understand Ahab and/or Ishmael as rebels against that scientific system - or as participants in it. Or both.<br /><br />Note also that Ishmael is at least *compiling*, if not creating, scientific (zoological) data. What does that mean?<br /><br />I hope that didn't ramble too much. I'm just trying to indicate the sorts of questions you might begin to ask, to push yourself into clarifying and defending a spiritual reading.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16302919444091859459noreply@blogger.com