Download Link: Released on 12 June 2023
The panel discusses chapters 35-42, exploring Melville’s purpose in adopting a multigeneric style, and paying special attention to Ahab’s motivations, including his conception of malice and universal evil, and his understanding of justice and vengeance.
Loving the series! I had an additional thought on the chapter “the mast-head” that I think builds on some of the things you have mentioned. Ishmael’s inability to properly do his duty as a whaler, i.e., look out for whales while on the mast-head, stems from his romanticization of nature: his romantic spirit leads him to ponder the grandness of the sea rather then actually whale–watch. This may be a commentary on the paradox of the Romantic soul; inasmuch as the Romantic idealizes a rustic and nature-based profession and lifestyle, he or she is by that very idealization rendered unable to properly conduct it. The romantic will always be a poor whale-watcher, farmer, etc., exactly because he or she idealizes these professions, and, distracted by the great beauty of nature, cannot bear the mundane reality of these tasks.
I also wanted to note that I know of at least one adaption of Moby Dick to theatre – it targets a younger audience, and I actually performed in it in high school! By Mark Rosenwinkel, with only 4 parts – Ishmael, Ahab, Queequeg, and Stubb. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Moby_Dick/7ilMs-yjH_cC?hl=en&gbpv=1
Thank you again – I thought I would also attach here an article my Dad recently wrote which mentions Critical Readings while I was at it – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/amirgoldman_shortly-after-we-started-susquehanna-growth-activity-7072580546786140160-epIC/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
I love how you never know what the next chapter will hold! It might be a play, or novel form, whale facts or comedy! Keeps us on our toes!