Call Me Ishmael: A Study Of Melville

First published in 1947, this acknowledged classic of American literary criticism explores the influences--especially Shakespearean ones--on Melville's writing of "Moby-Dick." One of the first Melvilleans to advance what has since become known as the "theory of the two "Moby-Dicks,"" Olson argues that there were two versions of "Moby-Dick," and that Melville's reading "King Lear" for the first time in between the first and second versions of the book had a profound impact on his conception of the saga: "the first book did not contain Ahab," writes Olson, and "it may not, except incidentally, have contained Moby-Dick." If literary critics and reviewers at the time responded with varying degrees of skepticism to the "theory of the two "Moby-Dick"s," it was the experimental style and organization of the book that generated the most controversy.

Biographies & Memoirs

Olson, Professor Charles

Community & Culture

Literary Licensing, LLC

<p>First published in 1947, this acknowledged classic of American literary criticism explores the influences--especially Shakespearean ones--on Melville's writing of "Moby-Dick." One of the first Melvilleans to advance what has since become known as the "theory of the two "Moby-Dicks,"" Olson argues that there were two versions of "Moby-Dick," and that Melville's reading "King Lear" for the first time in between the first and second versions of the book had a profound impact on his conception of the saga: "the first book did not contain Ahab," writes Olson, and "it may not, except incidentally, have contained Moby-Dick." If literary critics and reviewers at the time responded with varying degrees of skepticism to the "theory of the two "Moby-Dick"s," it was the experimental style and organization of the book that generated the most controversy.</p>

Literature & Fiction

Literary

Charles Olson (1910-70) believed that poetry exists in an 'open field' through which the poet transmits energy to the receptive reader. Olson's influence on the development of British and American poetry through his writing and teaching is immense. His work encompasses myth, history, scholarship and politics, grand theories and delight in the particular variousness of life, all marked by the curiosity and openness to experience that he asked of his readers. Olson grew up and returned to live in the seafaring town of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and it was from the life and language of its citizens that his poetry drew its strengths. "The Reader" includes extracts from the full range of Olson's poetry and prose, including letters, interviews and the full text of the key essay 'Projective Verse'. Ralph Maud, a colleague of Olson's from 1963-5 and the editor of Olson's letters, has supplied an introduction, supporting illustrations, notes and bibliography to this essential resource.

A Charles Olson Reader

Poetry

Carcanet Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Olson, Professor Charles. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Olson, Professor Charles