《美國文學》教學課件Herman Melville (1819-1891)

1、Herman MelvilleGreat American novelist of the late 19th. Century; author of the 1st American prose epic, Moby-Dick - one of the greatest novels of American literary history and a world classic. Herman Melville (1819-1891) I. life Born in New York city on August1,1819His father died in 1832 , leaving

2、 large debtsDropped out of school after his fathers death ,went to work at the age of 15 in a variety of trades1n 1839,became a seaman: at first on a merchant ship, then on a whaling cruise in 1841II. Literary Career1.works published1844 marked the beginning of a new phase in his career1846 , he pub

3、lished Typee1847 Omoo1849 Mardi1849 Redburn1850 White -Jacket1.works published1851 Moby Dick1852 Pierre1857 Confidence Man1886 Billy Budd2.Brief introduction to his chief workRedburn (1849) A romantic and harrowing description of Melvilles voyage to Liverpool in 1839 as cabin boy, which cultivated i

4、n him a love for sea. Typee (1846) fictional narrative by Melville, published in 1846. It is based on the authors experiences with the savages on the southern Pacific island when he deserted the whaler Acushnet (1842). 2. Brief introduction to his chief workOmoo (1847) a narrative of adventures in t

5、he South Seas by Melville. White-Jacket (1850) semi-autobiographical novel by Melville based on his service on the man-of-war United States (1843-1844)3. three important thingsA. his marriage B his influence from Shakespeare and EmersonC. his friendship with HawthorneIII. The analysis of Moby DickMo

6、by-Dick (1851) Melvilles masterpiece, which is regarded as the first American prose epic and one of the world classics. It gives a detailed account of the operation of the whaling industry and illustrates the tragedy of man fighting against the overwhelming odds in an indifferent and even hostile wo

7、rld. The novel can be interpreted in the following perspectives. III. The analysis of Moby Dick1. the plotIshmael - story tellerAhab - CaptainPequod - a whaling ship III. The analysis of Moby Dick2.themesA. His works display the theme of alienation. To him, alienation exists in life on different lev

8、els, between man and man, man and society, and man and nature. themesB. Moby Dick is a negative reflection upon Transcendentalism .Melville criticized New England Transcendentalism esp. the emphasis on individualism by portraying a Emerson self-reliant image : Ahab. themesC. The rejection and quest

9、pattern runs through his works. Melvilles heroes were forever trying to escape from their corrupt societies and into a better place to live.The symbolism in Moby Dick1. the voyage itself: a metaphor for search and discovery, the search for the ultimate truth of experience2. the Pequod (ship): Americ

10、an soul, American society, a symbol of the whole world with people of every land sailing across the waters of life in quest of its mystery The symbolism in Moby Dick3.Moby Dick: The white whale is capable of many interpretation: a symbol of evil to somea symbol of goodness to othersa symbol of both to still othersMelvilles style Like Hawthorne, Melville managed to achieve the effect of ambiguity through employing the technique of multiple view in his narratives. In Moby-Dick, the whale is portrayed by different figures from different angle