Wednesday, December 10, 2008

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

What have been some of the best things about reading this novel? The worst? Which outweighs the other?

18 comments:

Mrs. Baird said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs. Baird said...

I have come to find out that I actually like the book and think it's funny too.One of the best things to me about reading this book is saying that I am reading it. For some reason the words "Moby Dick" seem to evoke a sense of mystery in people. It seems like some untouchable book and now we can join the club of the few prestigious people who have actually read, and understood it. The only bad thing I have noticed is the rumination of Ishmael.

-llamabrain

Mrs. Baird said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs. Baird said...

Moby Dick is a very han'som' feller. I would much rather enjoy reading this book than smashing it over my head. Why, with my Jew bangs I wouldn't want to mess up my han'som' hair, ya know? Of coarse the downside comes into play with the long, sleepless nights. I frequently dose off with the wee book bein' anywhere but on my layp. Oi yah. An' having to rise um ups early to conduct that there Jayzz baynd is mighty toughin on my bayack. But i swear ima not gonna lay this book flayat until ima done and finished with it, ya know? Oi Yah!

Mike Misko

Mrs. Baird said...

I think this book is great! Some of the best things about reading this novel are the fact that I'm knowingly reading such a classic as "Moby Dick", and I'm understanding it, and how my ability to comprehend such challenging writing as Melville's has increased immensely the further I get in the novel. I think it will certainly be a feat once we finish reading the book as a class, but I very much enjoy the plot, and even Ishmael's random thoughts on anything and everything, although I can't say many people would even go as far as I to say the same. Not to mention, the sarcastic wit and cunning cleverness in the characters make me the more interested. The worst thing about reading Moby Dick would probably be the fact that I feel as if Melville has been stalling for quite some time to add length to his novel before Ahab confronts Moby, although I don't mind, because I love this book that much.
Pineappleisland

Mrs. Baird said...

I find that this book has its high points in its comedy and life lessons. Surprisingly enough, there are plenty of humorous situations, especially stemmed from the misfortunes of certain characters. Also, the life lessons are extremely intriguing. It seems that Ishmael the ex-schoolmaster is really into teaching the public about every lesson in life that he derives from his experiences. Thus, it's quite enlightening in that aspect. As for the downfalls, Ishmael's "ruminating" can become quite irksome at times. I understand that his form of narration could even be described as stream of consciousness, but at times, it's very difficult to follow and understand. Also, the foreshadowing gives away too much about the fate of the Pequod. There doesn't seem to be much suspense left, in my opinion. Overall, though, I think that the pros outweigh the cons, and I definitely do enjoy this novel.

Snowflake

Mrs. Baird said...

I think the best part about this book is the humorous quotes, especially those coming from Stubb. My favorite quote is when Stubb says to the Rose Bud's captain that it is against his principles to drink with the man he has diddled. The only negative I can think of is that Ishmael's ruminations, although occasionally interesting, have a tendency to make the chapters seem long and boring. --callmedick

Mrs. Baird said...

Some of the best things about this book are that it is super exciting, adn I want to keep reading it! I also like the fact that I can now tell people that yes, I have read Moby Dick. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. Some of the worst things about this book are that it tends to get lengthy in it's descriptions of some things. Yeah, a whale's tail and spout are pretty interesting, but there's only so much I can read about it. Personally I think that the good outweighs the bad.

Mrs. Baird said...

Sorry, I forgot my name again!
Spock

Mrs. Baird said...

Some of the best things have been learning about the history and practices of whaling and reading some of Ishmael's more interesting ruminations. Some of the more action-packed scenes were awesome, too! Overall, I LOVED this book. I tried to start reading it with a positive attitude, but I'd heard so many bad rumors about it that I was sceptical, and boy, am I happy I heard wrong! The only problem was that, despite having some cool insights, Ishmael had too many. Seriously, was it necessary to pause mid-action to ruminate for a whole page on some tiny aspect of that scene and everything related to said tiny thing!?!
But yeah...Best far outweighs worst! ^_^

-Essex Haunt

Mrs. Baird said...

All in all I have come to consider this book a masterpiece. Melville weaves plot with wit. The plot took of litterally with the words "Call me Ishmael"; a biblical name with ill-omens. Through this intense plot Melville shares his profound insights about life adding humor and tragedy along the way. Although, at times I muddled through the whaling jargons and skimmed some of the excess verbiage concerning the whale itself. The book clicked in my head. And quickly I discerned melville's message.

Jack Sparrow

Mrs. Baird said...

Well the bad is the ever obvious "rumination." However, the best is definitely - as many have already stated - the wit. This book is full of irony as well as straight forward hilarious scenes. Luckily, the wit kept me reading even when the ranting (oops, sorry - "rumination") dragged me so far away from the plot I just wanted to put the book down for a while. Overall, the book was good. I'd read it again, in my own time, to maybe catch a few things that I know I didn't catch until they were mentioned in class.

~Queen of Babble

Mrs. Baird said...

I did enjoy reading Moby Dick. I am excited that I can say I actually read Moby Dick. I am also pleasantly suprised that I actually enjoyed this novel. I have heard negative comments about it from other students, but I am proud to say I actually enjoyed this novel. I especially enjoyed Queequeg and my favorite part of the novel was probably the beginning when Ishmael and Queequeg met. It provided a plethora of comic relieve for such a serious and adventurous novel. I definitly agree with previous posts the Ishmael's rumination was my least favorite part. I realize that some of it was necessary, but I felt that it was somewhat excessive and made this novel a little bit tedious. Overall I feel that the good certainly outweighs the bad and I am very glad to say that I read and understood the classic novel Moby Dick.

~Shamu~

Mrs. Baird said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs. Baird said...

I honestly enjoyed reading "Moby Dick," contray to what I was thinking whi0el reading Ismael's rumanations. Although they were long and ambiguous, I have come to realize their importance. Without his constant talk of whaling and the background information we wouldn't be able to fully understand the novel. I believe that the good times definately out numbered the bad times.
-bon qui qui

Mrs. Baird said...

After looking back over and finishing the book there were alot of things I really did like about it and alot of really funny moments. It was very long though and defenetly had parts when I just wanted to drown the book in the ocean. I think though the funny moments and odditys of the characters outwayed the super boring rambling a bout a wale bone parts! I really did like this book!

-Shark Bait

Mrs. Baird said...

I think that when one gets past the "Omg this book is so thick and the font is so small! I'll never retain all this information!" stage, they begin to actually see how worthwhile it is to read Moby Dick. I'll admit, there were times I wanted to throw the book against a wall because of the REALLY long, seemingly pointless ruminations--not saying that all of them were that way--but I stuck with it. And because I stuck with it, I feel that I've grown as a reader. It may not be my favorite book of all time, but I certainly do like it and believe that the good aspects of it far outweigh the bad. I mean, come on. How many people in today's society can say they read Moby Dick and understood it? =]

Plus there were some amazing, swoon-worthy lines and passages from the book haha.

~laballenablanca

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