The Innumerable Meanings of Moby Dick Essay -- Moby Dick Essays

The Innumerable Meanings of Moby Dick Call me Ishmael. The first line of this story begins with an assertion of self-identity. Before the second page is reached, it becomes quite clear to me that within this assertion of self-identity lay an enticing universality. Ishmael represents every man somehow and no man entirely. He is an individual in his own right, while personifying a basic human desire for something more, something extraordinary. As his name implies, "he is an outcast from a great family" (p.18). Although we all share Ishmael's yearning for adventure (however deeply hidden it may be), to throw aside our civilization (despite its discontents ) could mean societal suicide. So, we look through his eyes, we cling to his desire, we dream of his escape. This world of ours in all its absurdity is seemingly as vast as an ocean beyond its horizon. Yet with all its opportunity, with all its splendor, we somehow manage to spoil the prospects it so generously offers. We pack ourselves into overcrowded spaces; we cram our brains with bits and pieces of irrelevancy; we herd ourselves along a well-beaten path; we cloud our souls with a veil of conformity. And yet there still remains, somewhere deep inside every one of us, the desire to cast aside restraint and venture into whatever indulgence tugs at our heartstrings and innermost fantasy. For Ishmael this was the sea: "Whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses...then I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can" (p. 18). For Ishmael to remain on shore would mean to "grow hazy about the eyes" and lose sight of what makes him happy, the drive that makes him human- his love of the sea. ... ...story of stories . However, its greatness does not lay in the particular formulation of particular words in particular sentences into particular paragraphs and so forth. As with any great story, Moby Dick is comprised of infinite, multifaceted, and often allusive levels of meaning. What makes a novel great is its interaction with its readers. The degree to which a story remains unguarded and flexible while simultaneously enticing and provoking its readers, is what makes it great. The meanings I find hidden within the text of Moby Dick are unlike any others. Yet, they are mine and mine alone. As in Moby Dick, the innumerable meanings that lie dormant within stories are like ungraspable phantoms. With Moby Dick representing an epitome, the beckoning ungraspable phantoms concealed in stories, are the key to their command. Works Cited: Melville, H. Moby Dick.

Chaim Potok Research Paper

The Story of Chaim Potok There have been many innovational authors throughout all of history, from R. L Stein, to Shakespeare, to Roald Dahl to J. K. Rowling. They all have different stories that have seriously impacted the literature world in unique ways. An essential author to add to that list is Chaim Potok, who not only was an outstanding author, but was also a very inspirational religious icon for many Jewish people in the world. Potok was born in New York City in 1929. He was raised in the Hasidic faith of Judaism.He grew up in a household where a high class of edicate and manners were enforced (Newsmakers. Detroit: Gale, 2003). Due to his way of life he later on developed tight grasp of art. His parents highly disapproved of this and did not want him to â€Å"waste his time† with this. In the Jewish household painting is seen as the least acknowledged and ambitious hobby. Potok attended Yeshiva University, and became a rabbi after graduating. He began rabbinical studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He soon received his master’s degree in Hebrew literature.In 1954 he served as a chaplain for the United States army while posted in South Korea. Later on throughout his life he began a teaching post at the University of Judaism. As years of study flew by this motivated Jew, he managed to earn a doctorate in philosophy in the University of Pennsylvania. The next Two Years flew right by, leading to the event of him writing his very first novel, The Chosen One, which was the very first novel ever to have a Hasidic Jewish setting (Contemporary Authors Online). This was a serious impact and appraisal of the Judaism Religion.This life unique novel was on the New York’s best sellers list for approximately 6 months. Potok elaborated expanded his new style of writing-by-writing more books on the daily life of Jews and child’s stories. Potok had a unique style of writing followed by a look of religious influence as well. H e usually conveyed the theme of Judaism/Hasidic through his precise use of characterization and dialogue. The majority of his beautiful creations were about how everyone should have some sort of faith in their lives and how religion has a huge impact on modern day life.Potok wrote about Jewish culture was viewed directly from the shoes of a very own Jew. He frequently focused on the issues and controversies in the Jewish Culture. Most of his life and works of literature were dedicated to his very own religion and faith, which was portrayed through his own writing. Potok received multiple awards for his unique book (St. James Guide to Young Adult Writers). The Chosen One was on the New York Time’s bestseller’s category for about 6 months, that is some very outstanding time to be a bestseller especially since Judaism is one of the least popular religions in the U.S. As the years passed his literature career slowly declined in success and popularity due to critics claimin g his unique style of writing wasn’t that professional, very mediocre, and not nearly as polished as his original creations. He was criticized according to that manner the following, â€Å"In The Beginning,† â€Å"The Book of Lights,† and â€Å"DaVita’s Harp† (St. James Guide to Young Adult Writers). â€Å"He wrote in a straightforward pose that some critics found unpolished and other likened to that of Hemingway. † said the New York Time’s Fox.On the other hand, many other critics loved and admired Potok’s love for his religion, the need to express his feeling about Jewish beliefs from a first person perspective, and the fearlessness in his writing tone. â€Å"Although his writing angered and scandalized some Jews, others applauded it his belief in the Jewish faith† Said critics from the Los Angeles Times. Chaim Potok died on July 23, 2002 due to the spread and intensity of brain cancer he had been diagnosed with. He di ed at the age of 73 years old. He was a motivating, inspirational, and phenomenal author that will never be forgotten throughout the Jewish culture.His name will be remembered as one of the most inspirational writers of all time, as well as a huge religious icon. Although critics often downsized him, he will always be known as being one of the greatest American Jewish writers of the 20th century. â€Å"Chaim Potok. †Ã‚  Newsmakers. Detroit: Gale, 2003. GaleBiography In Context. Web. 1 May 2012. â€Å"Chaim Potok. †Ã‚  St. James Guide to Young Adult Writers. Gale, 1999. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 1 May 2012. â€Å"Chaim Potok. †Ã‚  Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 1 May 2012.

The Legend of the Minotaur - 1311 Words

One of the most popular Greek myths is the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, it centres around an early civilisation on the island of Crete, it is a myth told long before Athens became the ruling capital. It is the legend of the Minotaur. The legend of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth of Knossos in Crete has enthralled many historians, archaeologists over, anthropologists and so on over years, even centuries. However, one archaeologist was captivated by the entrancing and beauty of the myth of The Minotaur and the Palace in Knossos was Arthur Evans. Before work began in Crete by the British archaeologist Evans at Knossos, knowledge of the Bronze Age Minoan culture was only faintly reflected in a few Classical Greek myths. By the time†¦show more content†¦They survived to a height of about two metres and were lined with gypsum benches. On one side was a gypsum throne and on the other a sunken room which Evans called a ‘Lustral Basin’. Over the course of the next four years, most of the ten-acre site had been excavated— although work would continue off and on until 1930. Evans was struck by the apparent absence of fortifications around the site and took this as confirmation of the ‘Thalassocracy of Minos’ described by Thucydides. In his decisive (and highly controversial) site interpretations, Evans drew heavily from post-Bronze Age, ancient Greek mythology to assume the site as the palace of the legendary King Minos. This conclusion is now much disputed, but early on gained solid grip among many archaeologists as well as in the popular imagination. In legends from sources varying from Herodotus to Hellenistic coins, Knossos was thought to be the palace site of Minos, king of the Cretan Minoans whose labyrinth contained the mythic Minotaur. Evans interpreted the complex layout of the palace at Knossos as labyrinthine, and connected this with the double-axe symbol or labrys found engraved on columns at the palace. Thus, his identification of Knossos civilization as Minoan made a compelling if (at times) somewhat strained metaphor, given the associated myths of King Minos, the labyrinth, and the Minotaur. His results and methods have come under criticism sinceShow MoreRelatedNot Have A Clue, The Etymology Of An Indication1046 Words   |  5 Pagesone universal definition. However, it deviates from mythology to modern discourse. For example, Theseus, the son of an Athenian King, narrowly escaped a Minotaur by ways of a clew. Clew derives from an undated Greek source denoting a ball of threadlike fabric. Middle English adopted a more figurative sense from the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. 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