tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post5616461198499014911..comments2024-03-26T22:47:45.276-07:00Comments on Intro to Critical Reading: Whaling is a Way of LifeAdamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16302919444091859459noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post-17463594784006354542011-03-14T16:44:06.765-07:002011-03-14T16:44:06.765-07:00I like the direction you took in trying to figure ...I like the direction you took in trying to figure out what whaling means to various members of the Pequod's crew; one quote that I have kept in mind throughout the entirety of the book is Ishamel's same pondering of "what the White Whale meant to them." I think that question is one not easily answered in a paragraph because I think the meaning delve deeper than what we can conclude with a definition of one word (especially for some of the primary characters). I think someone could easily write a novel on Ahab's relationship and feelings towards Moby Dick, or at least what they believe Moby Dick means to Ahab. That being said, if you want to revise this entry I would suggest just looking at Ahab's views of Moby Dick because I think you're given the most material to work with. Examining how Ishmael's views on Moby Dick change throughout the novel would also be an interesting novel and would help you to further explain why you feel he ultimately views him as a thing strictly of monetary value.efurarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865568504381304544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425514987715337437.post-57015107043294751682011-03-13T09:12:31.371-07:002011-03-13T09:12:31.371-07:00I'd actually argue in favor of you refining yo...I'd actually argue in favor of you refining your understand of what "it" refers to. It may, metaphorically, refer to Moby-Dick, and presumably it refers to whaling, but if Melville is to be believed, it refers to the "Nantucket Whale-Fishery", that is, the *industry* of whaling headquartered in Nantucket. Burke is presumably interested, at least in part, in the economics of it. You could, of course, look it up - the text of this speech might (or might not) be readily available.<br /><br />This doesn't raise problems for the rest of your material, but it does offer the possibility for refinement: while different people are involved in whaling for different reasons, the industry as a whole exist because the economics work, and work very well.<br /><br />Incidentally, why do you think Ishmael is increasingly Starbuckian/monetary in his views? I'm at a loss as to why you think this.<br /><br />I feel like this essay becomes less focused as it goes on. I'd argue that you could, and should, have focused more thoroughly on the economics of the whaling *industry* (possibly including research) as a way of retaining and extending your focus.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16302919444091859459noreply@blogger.com