Moby Dick and Rabelais
From 1850s
Contents |
[edit] Modern Language Notes, Vol. 38, No.2. (Feb., 1923), p. 123.
[edit] Whitney Hastings Wells
[edit] Summary
Moby Dick and Rabelais constructs critical academic research as to textual influences with Moby Dick as early as 1923. The short piece outlines similarities between Chapter XLI, The Whiteness of the Whale of Moby Dick, and Book I, Chapter X of Rabelais, Of That Which is Signified by the Colours White and Blue. The conclusion of the correspondence indicates and argument, or at least discourse, at the time to try and bring Moby Dick's literary importance to academic prominence.
[edit] Quotes
[edit] Quote #1
In the light of the recent interest in Herman Melville's Moby Dick, I should like to draw attention to the parallelisms between Chapter XLI, The Whiteness of the Whale, in that book and Book I, Chapter X of Rabelais, Of that Which is Signified by the Colours White and Blue.
[edit] Quote #2
Considering the above, there can be little doubt as to the literary provenience of Melville's chapter. (123)
