Forrest’s Reviews > Moby Dick > Status Update

On my first reading, I think I missed the intricacies of the hierarchy of whalers. There is a decided caste system between captain, first mates, harpooners, and the cook, at least. It's an anachronistic comparison, but I'm reminded (in the future sense?) of Gormenghast and its many layers of society, muddled within each group, but crystal clear when delineated against each other. An interesting analysis of "masses".

Just slowly sailing along, enjoying my reread.

I am enjoying the simple act of reading this time around. No need to analyze, contextualize, etc (though those things happen naturally). Having read the book once for analysis, now I just get to enjoy it. It's a feeling of reading freedom I haven't enjoyed for a while.

I had forgotten how utterly complex Ishmael is. One of the most thoroughly fleshed out characters - but only by narrative inference - in all of American literature.

I am no coward, but what to make of this head-peddling purple rascal altogether passed my comprehension.

Second reading. This time a bit more slowly, with intent.