JOURNAL ARTICLE

Melville, Insurrection, and the Problem of the Nation.

Published In: American Literary History, 2023, v. 35, n. 1. P. 23 1 of 3
Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3
Authored By: Hoberek, Andrew 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines Herman Melville's *Moby-Dick* (1851) through the lens of realistic representations of insurrection, focusing particularly on the chapter "The Town-Ho's Story." It argues that Melville presents insurrection as central to democracy but fundamentally at odds with nationalist politics, challenging dominant readings that emphasize symbolism and nationalism. The mutiny led by Steelkilt aboard the Town-Ho exemplifies class conflict and collective resistance, highlighting democracy as a practice rooted in the seizure of space and control of information rather than constitutional procedure. The article situates Melville's work within broader transnational and historical contexts of mid-nineteenth-century revolutions and critiques critical traditions that obscure the novel's engagement with class struggle and insurrection.

Additional Information

Source:American Literary History. 2023/03, Vol. 35, Issue 1, p23
Document Type:Article
Subject Area:Literature and Writing
Publication Date:2023
ISSN:0896-7148
DOI:10.1093/alh/ajac158
Accession Number:162272329
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