Deeper symbolism and hidden meanings in the books - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aratlithiel · 01-24-2003, 11:54 PM

Ah, doug, once again you make me have to clarify myself. The asteriks are not mine - believe it or not that was a result of the wonderful editing program on this forum. Apparently it thought I might be calling someone an untoward name. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

As far as my example goes, Moby **** was in fact based on the true, historical account of a whaler named Owen Chase from Nantucket. He was 1st mate on The Essex when it was attacked by a sperm whale in November of 1820. Melville took the harrowing account he received from Chase's son and turned it into a novel. So, you see, it's not an allegorical tale - it's a fictionalized account of an historical incident. Is it possible Melville peppered it with symbolism? Maybe, although he never admitted to it if he did.

And I certainly wouldn't say that the lack of symbolism in any book would prohibit its presence in another. What I'm saying is that the fact that a novel is a classic does not imply symbolism simply because some scholar or critic says it does. If Tolkien tells me he meant no symbolism or allegory, I tend to believe him.

01-24-2003, 11:54 PM	#11
Aratlithiel Wight Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 196	Ah, doug, once again you make me have to clarify myself. The asteriks are not mine - believe it or not that was a result of the wonderful editing program on this forum. Apparently it thought I might be calling someone an untoward name. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] As far as my example goes, Moby **** was in fact based on the true, historical account of a whaler named Owen Chase from Nantucket. He was 1st mate on The Essex when it was attacked by a sperm whale in November of 1820. Melville took the harrowing account he received from Chase's son and turned it into a novel. So, you see, it's not an allegorical tale - it's a fictionalized account of an historical incident. Is it possible Melville peppered it with symbolism? Maybe, although he never admitted to it if he did. And I certainly wouldn't say that the lack of symbolism in any book would prohibit its presence in another. What I'm saying is that the fact that a novel is a classic does not imply symbolism simply because some scholar or critic says it does. If Tolkien tells me he meant no symbolism or allegory, I tend to believe him. __________________ - I must find the Mountain of Fire and cast the thing into the gulf of Doom. Gandalf said so. I do not think I shall ever get there. - Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup. - Where are we going?...And why am I in this handbasket?