Moby-Dick Published
1851 · 19th Century
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, written by Herman Melville, was published first in London by Richard Bentley on October 18, 1851, as 'The Whale,' and then in New York by Harper & Brothers on November 14, 1851, as 'Moby-Dick; or, The Whale.' The novel follows the sailor Ishmael's narrative of Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for revenge against the giant white sperm whale Moby Dick.
Key Figures
Herman MelvilleNathaniel HawthorneRichard BentleyHarper & Brothers
Locations
New York CityPittsfield, MassachusettsLondon
Topics
ishmaelmelvilleliteraturenovelamerican
Connected Events — 3 Connections
Moby-Dick's commercial failure demonstrated that symbolic literary fiction couldn't match direct social messaging, influencing Stowe's approach Uncle Toms Cabin
Moby-Dick's narrative techniques of American vernacular and episodic structure influenced Twain's approach to distinctly American literature The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Published
Columbus's voyages initiated the Atlantic whaling economy that provided Melville's direct maritime experience and source material Columbus Departs Spain with the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María
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