Moby-Dick Big Read - Chat discussion

Moby-Dick Big Read
Chapter 19: The Prophet - Read by Mark Sealy/Artist Mariele Neudecker
http://www.mobydickbigread.com/chapte...

Interesting chapter, one that really brings out the suspense factor and builds the reader's anticipation for the upcoming voyage. It plays on and pumps up the earlier foreshadowing in a big way.

I have to admit that this is the first audio reading that I didn't particularly care for. I'm not sure why but it seemed as though the reader didn't put the emphasis in the right way--even though Melville left cues--and he deliberately slowed down his delivery, for suspense I suppose, and that tended to grate on me.

I think this chapter did a great job of raising questions and adding to my anticipation for the chapters to come.

Since names have significance, I need to read up on Elijah, I guess. :)

I agree with you re the narration of this chapter, Vikk. It grated on me too. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and I much prefer listening to books read by actors (or at least very experienced narrators) than by non-professional / volunteer readers. The quality of the narration is not going to affect my overall appreciation of this project. However, I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy the chapters read by professionals more than many of the others. Tilda Swinton, Simon Callow and Stephen Fry have been my favourites so far.

As far as i can make out, this narrator is a photographer and museum curator. It got on my nerves too the way he put the stress in all the wrong places. Fortunately the chapter was not long. I've enjoyed some of the other amateurs, however. Reading out loud is a difficult business!

Vikk, there's a wonderfull explanation of the significance of Elijah on that blog I mentioned, patell.org

An interesting question as to the significance of today's image comes up in that blog entry. I see a recurrence of breasts and nipples (chapter 5, 15 and today).

Whales are mammals of course, but did Melville know this? They are called "fish" more often than not in the book. I have to go do some research to discover when it was discovered that whales are mammals.

ETA: Ha... easier than I thought:

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/to...

In 1778, Swedish biologist, Linneus, recognized that whales were not fish but mammals. They share some common characteristics of all mammals.

On the narration
@Hayes, I, too, found myself checking the number of pages as the narration continued and that was the first time I'd done that. I knew even as I was doing it that it was due to the narrator's reading rather than the text itself, and at the same time realized that it was a shame due to the obvious escalating tension occurring in the scene. Definitely a distraction.

@Kim, I agree about the narration not putting me off despite this chapter's problems and that the actors will probably do the best readings.

On Elijah
@Hayes, that blog is a great addition to the daily readings. I had so much to do with my mom yesterday (bath, bedding changed, cleaning cat box, etc.) that I didn't have as much time to devote to my daily focus on MB. I read the entry this morning and it was great help. I knew those references were biblical but my poor memory wouldn't pull up the significance, especially the dogs licking the blood.

Prophecy is a strong theme so far woven in and out of these chapters. Melville was definitely bringing it to the forefront and giving it special attention here. I liked the way he upped the tension with the skulking prophet toward the end of the chapter.

On whales and nipples
Okay, Hayes, I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw the nipple in the painting. :) I'm with the NY blogger and don't get the significance or reference either but you've provided some insight with your quick research. Great job. (You must be a fact checker. :))

It's great to be able to discuss all this, too. I think I'm going to go back this afternoon and reread this chapter without the audio and see how it grabs me.

Vikk wrote: "(You must be a fact checker. :))"


In a previous life. ;-) I worked at the Italian Encyclopedia for a while, on a bilingual project. I was exactly that "a checker"... I checked the translation to see that it was accurate, I checked the information, the spelling the punctuation.

Best job I ever had, but it no longer exists, unfortunately. The encyclopedia is folding and even the online version is not doing well.

I found this link with discussions re: Elijah and Ahab relationship, perhaps a little easier to access than the earlier posted blog.
http://pitt-crit-reading.blogspot.com...

That's great. Thank you so much for the link!