Literature Analysis: Moby Dick

GENERAL
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
Moby Dick begins with the famous line, "Call me Ishmael.". The story is narrated by Ishmael, a young man with his mind set on whaling. On the way to the whaling capital he meets up with Queequeg,  a native looking man with tattoos who is a "cannibal". Although at first Ishmael is scared of Queequeg as he has a tomahawk and eats with a harpoon, he soon learns to embrace him. The two travel together to the whaling capital Nantucket and get jobs on a spooky ship called the Pequod. Decorated with whale bones, a spooky captain, and an international crew, they set out in the search for gaining wealth through killing whale's for oil. The captain of the ship, Captain Ahab, is consumed with the thought of revenge against one particular whale. A great white whale called Moby Dick ate the captains leg when the captain jumped at it to stab it in the heart. Queequeg nearly dies from illness on the boat, and a coffin is made, but he pulls through. Eventually the boat finally meets with the deadly albino whale for the final showdown. Despite several days of fighting and harpooning the whale, the whale succeeds. Ahab gets caught in a harpoon and sent to his death, and the boat is destroyed by the whale along with the crew. Ishmael alone survives, floating atop Queequeg's coffin.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
There are many themes in this book, but the one that I will focus on is sealing your own fate. Captain Ahab's fate was sealed through he unstoppable desire to get revenge on Moby Dick. He didn't heed any of the prophets warnings. In fact, the entire crew was warned to stop trying to find the great white whale. There were some thought of killing the captain, but words are just words without action. By staying the course, the characters in this book sealed their fate. 

3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
The author had a very direct tone. It flows with the story. With times of action, the mood intensified, and in times of just sailing it calmed down quite a bit. There was the underlying of doom that was shown throughout the book and through the tone. "It was Moby Dick's open mouth, yawning beneath Ahab's boat, looking like a marble burial room." "Must we chase this murderous fish till he drags every last on of us to the bottom of the sea?" "He studied the currents of all four oceans and the habits of all whales in order to reach on burning goal- to find and kill Moby Dick!"

4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)
Great Illustrated Classics: Moby Dick
1. Metaphor- When discussing the prophet Fedallah (page 136) "....the reason we don't see his devil tail is because he coils it up and tucks it in his pocket."

2. Onomatopoeia (Page 114): The crew shouting "Woo-hoo! Wa-hee! Kee-Hee! Koo-Loo!".
3. Foreshadowing (Page 130): "Think of Macey- the God-insulter, dead, and down there! Beware of the same end!"
4. Direct characterization: (Page 18) "The face was of a dark-purplish color, stuck all over with large blackish-looking squares."
5. Dialect: (Page 24) "This man sleepee you- you sabbee? "Me sabbee."
6. Simile: (Page 114) "...his tail forty feet into the air and sank out of sight, like a swallowed-up tower."
7. Allusion: (Page 50) "Yes, but wasn't the biblical Ahab a wicked king who was killed."
8. Flashback (Page 84) "Seeing his men spinning about in little whirlpools of the sea, the captain grabbed a small knife with a six-inch blade and dashed at Moby Dick's heart like some wild man in a duel. That captain was Ahab."
9. Hyperbole (Page 216): "This whole act was decreed a billion years before this ocean rolled."
10. Symbolism (Page 232) The boat Pequod was a symbol of death in the story. "O Pequod, my death-glorious ship. Must ye then perish and sink without me?"


CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
Direct Characterization:
"The face was of a dark-purplish color, stuck all over with large blackish-looking squares."

"A thin white scar threaded its way out from his gray hair and continued right down his face and neck till it disappeared inside his clothing."

Indirect Characterization
"No, for me the way to escape the closeness of my home town of Manhatto, New York, was to go to sea as a plain seaman."
"He'd often pace the deck unsteadily. Sometimes the restless pounding of his leg upon upon the wooden deck at night would keep us awake."
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?
Yes the author's diction changes when he focuses on a character. Queequeg is usually seen in a bright light, sometimes mysterious, but overall a nice guy. While the mood always gets darker whenever captain Ahab is being talked about of described.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.
Ishmael is a dynamic character. You can see this simply through his relationship with Queequeg. When he first meets him he is scared for his life, and isn't accepting of him as a person. However, as the story goes along they become closer and closer friends, and real bonds are made.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
I actually did not feel as if I'd met a person. Ishmael was never a particularly deep character, and the story more followed the action of the plot rather than get into the inner workings of any of the characters minds.

Notes on Hamlet

Act 3 of Hamlet opened up a very interesting question to me, particularly about the ghost of Hamlet's deceased father. Up until now all of the characters were able to see the ghost, that had viewed it. Now suddenly Hamlet's mother can't view the ghost. As the play is written the ghost is definitely an entity, and appears to guide Hamlet. However, Hamlet and his mother are the only two present when his ghost comes along the second time. This could mean one of two different things. Either the queen's wrongdoings and getting with Claudius have blinded her to only see what she really wants to view, or that Hamlet have fallen so deeply into anguish that he is justifying his heinous actions by creating the entity in his own mind. Just something to note going on into the story.

Who Was Shakespeare?

-Shakespeare was born 1564
-Married Ann Hathaway
-Had 3 children including twins
-Around 1588 moved to London
- "Shakespeare became a charter member of a theatrical company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, in 1594"
- Died in 1616 at age 52
-Wrote approximately 38 plays, as well as many poems. His most famous pieces of work are his tragedies and include Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear

Information from:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/merchant/shakespeare.html

To Facebook or Not to Facebook

My personal experience with Facebook is a fairly positive one. I view it as if almost a modern day bazaar online. The system as a whole is actually a company meant to make money through social networking. Some people do click on the adds, but the majority are involved for social reasons. Some go to vent. Others to keep people updated on current news. Even others to bash friends reputations. But negative comments are easily avoided. Simply unfriend and the problem seamlessly disappears (online at least). As a benefit, you are able to reach others you may not have been able to reach. However this can also be done through calling them. Facebook offers a unique ambiguity, to take a small peak into others lives, and be able to reach people when time is most convenient for yourself. Although trivial, this has allowed connections such as those in the Middle East when starting up revolutionary methods. On the negative side, time spent considering what others really truly are judging you for, spending loads of time on it, and a simple place with all information you decide to post to find for any possible employers.

Vocab List

Abortive: failing to produce the intended result
Economics faces a certain set of circumstances and when not met, the entire theory is abortive in practice.

Bruit: spread a report or rumor widely
Publishing often has to innovate rather than confirm, so in order to bruit their findings the scientists set their finding awry.

Contumelious: scornful and insulting behavior

While politicians aren't allowed to be contumelious to one another, during a debate there facial expressions signify this sort of emotion.

Dictum: a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source; a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle
Politicians when faced with a disaster or terrorist attack offer a dictum in order to mollify public outcry.




Ensconce: establish or settle

To ensconce a document brings it into law.

Iconoclastic: characterized by attack on established beliefs or institutions
 Unfortunately current political campaigning is iconoclastic. 

In medias res: a narrative that begins somewhere in the middle of a story rather than the beginning
Keynes theory on economics was an in medias res during the Great Depression. 

Internecine: destructive to both sides in a conflict
 Facts seem to be internecine to political campaigns. 

Maladroit: ineffective or bungling; clumsy
Improper allocation  of resources seems quite maladroit but can lead to a greater margin of gains for a monopoly. 

Maudlin: self-pitying or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness
All the maudlin of the Great Depression was due to the stock market crash following the economoic booms of the early 1920's.

Modulate: exert a modifying or controlling influence on
The Keynesian theory on the market is that it needs to be modulated by government in order for money velocity to be efficient. 

Portentous: of or like a portent; done in a pompously or overly solemn manner
Markets seem to be portentous of future outcomes of stocks. 

Prescience: the power to foresee the future
Economists have no prescience, but simply look at  equations and market patterns in order to predict the future.

Quid pro quo: a favor or advantage granted in return for something
Now Hayek's model is quite different. He suggests a boom in economy is quid pro quo and sows the seeds of a depression. 

Salubrious: health-giving, healthy; pleasant, not run-down
In his model a salubrious economy is not created through government spending, low interest rates, or bailout, but through having market rules and less strict control over the capitalist model. 

Saturnalia: the ancient Roman festival of Saturn in December; an occasion of wild revelry
In short the thrust of this theory is that large growth shouldn't cause a  saturnalia, but instead a harbinger of ominous things to be.

Touchstone: a standard or criterion by which something is judged or recognized
Now due to the great recession of '08 both models are touchstones of economic studies. 



Traumatic: emotionally disturbing or distressing; relating to or causing psychological trauma
This traumatic event has opened this discussion, and has opened up a debate of ideology. 

Vitiate: spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of; destroy or impair the legal validity of.
 At this point the choice is up to us whether we vitiate each plan through slander, or we analysis each free of bias to show which needs to be put into use.

Waggish: humorous in a playful, mischievous, or facetious manner
Sorry about the serious talk. But sometimes the greatest means of effective lacks a waggish quality.

Hamlet Act 3: Remix

Txt Talk

 Shakespeare may be a foreign language to some, but texting language seems to appeal to many. Here is my attempt at making Shakespeare simpler for comprehension purposes only. Take this as a surface analysis, and take it personally on yourself to look into the literature slightly deeper after reading this. Enjoy.

Scene 1:

Claudius: Guys we gotta figure out y Hamlet's acting crazy. Polonius and me r gonna spy on him when he's with Ophelia.

Gertrude: Kk, good luck. Hope u figure it out.

Polonius: Lets go hide.

Hamlet: Should I live or die? Death is probably scary...nah im good livin. Oh heyyyy Ophelia.

Ophelia: I have letters that from you that say  ily <3

Hamlet: Welllllll.... Turns out I don't. I did, but you know stuff happens...

Ophelia: Oh... D:

Hamlet: Y would you love someone, just to have a baby in this stupid world...don't marry....ever.

(Hamlet leaves)

Ophelia: Yep, Hamlet is crazy T_T

Claudius: Let's send him to England!

Polonius: Let me spy on him again, then you can send him off.

Scene 2:

Hamlet: Actor, U better act well!

First player: Kk.

Hamlet: But not too well, just right. Perfect. The king will see this right?

Polonius: Yep, and the queen

Hamlet: Horatio, you the bomb

Horatio: :o

Hamlet: You really are. The play is like how my father was murdered, so check out the king's reaction to see if he actually killed my dad.

Horatio: Sure

(Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern enter)

Claudius: Hows it goin Hamlet?

Hamlet: Im like a chameleon : D

Claudius: ok...

Hamlet: Oh hey Ophelia

Ophelia: Oh hi Hamlet

(Play starts)

Player King: Im going to die, and you will leave meeee

Player Queen: Me? Pshhh never.

Lucianus: Ima poisoning the king >: D

Claudius: Get me outa here D :

(Everyone exit but Hamlet and Horatio)

Hamlet: You saw that right

Horatio: Yep

(Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Enter)

Guildenstern: Tell us whats wrong.

Rosencrantz: Yea do tell.

Hamlet: No, you guys are traitors >: (

(Polonius Enters)

Polonius: Hamlet go see the queen

Hamlet: Ok. (I'll get my revenge soon.)

Scene 3:

Claudius: Hamlet is still crazy D :

Polonius: I'm going to spy on him again when he talks to his mom. I'll let ya know how it goes.

Cladius: Ok...(Polonius leaves) I feel guilty about killing the king D : I'll pray about it.

Hamlet: Oh look Cladius. I could kill him >: D O wait he's praying. Can't kill him yet.

Scene 4: 

(Polonius hides behind the tapestry)(Hamlet enters)

Hamlet: Oh hey mom, why'd you call to talk to me?

Gertrude: You insulted your dad D :<

Hamlet: No u!

Gertrude: Stop it! Do you know who i am?

Hamlet: My Mom! But i don't want you to be.

Gertrude: Then will you kill me? HELP!!!

Polonius: (From behind tapestry): HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP!

Hamlet: AHA! (stab)

Polonius: Oh, I am slain.

Gertrude: WTF?!?!

Hamlet: Oh, that wasn't the king was it. He still deserved it for spying...and mother how could you marry a murderer?

Gertrude: Hamlet stop!!!

(Ghost enters)

Hamlet: Oh what can i do for you dad?

Gertrude: Who are you talking too???

Hamlet: Well dad of course. Or at least his ghost.

Gertrude: There is nothing there! You're crazy!

Hamlet: No I'm not! Stay away from Claudius. Sorry about Polonius. I have to go to England!

Vocab Final Analysis

Did you do as well as you expected/hoped? 
Yes, I actually did better than I expected. A perfect grade is not something to complain about.

 To what do you attribute the outcome? 
I attribute cognitive ability and studying each list week by week to this outcome. Studying for a straightforward memorization test such as vocab was such like a building. By studying more intensively for each individual list before the final, the reviewing process needed only to be brief to recall the words. 


How can you improve for the final?
Well, I suppose I can double my efforts of the same studying to continue this trend on the final.