Sunday, May 31, 2009

Day Sixty

5/31

The Book: Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee by Dee Brown

ISBN: 0-8050-6669-1

Suggested By: Sissy Vaughn

Where: Home

When: 5:45-6:30P

Music: None

Company: Alone

Pages: 69-124 (55)


The Lead In: Ah, the Sand Creek Massacre. I’ve heard references to this before. But more on that later.


The 411 on the 55: The Cheyenne Black Kettle has perhaps the most depressing story in this book. As an important chief, he went to Washington and met Abraham Lincoln. To honor the event, he was given a medal and a large American flag. Told that no Army soldier would fire on him with this flag flying, Black Kettle believed that he could live at peace with the Americans.


As the American immigration movement expanded, more and more of Black Kettle’s lands were eaten up, yet he refused to go to war. Half of his tribe split off to fight and yet he did not fight. It was his tribe that was attacked during the Sand Creek Massacre, and, worst of all, Black Kettle and many of his people stood beneath their large American flag while they were fired on by the US army.


Line of the Day: “I saw the body of White Antelope with the privates cut off, and I heard a soldier say he was going to make a tobacco pouch out of them.” pg 90


The Fact on the Fiction: A first hand account by John S. Smith of Sand Creek “By the time I got up with the battery to the place where these Indians were surrounded there had been some considerable firing. Four or five soldiers had been killed, some with arrows and some with bullets. The soldiers continued firing on these Indians, who numbered about a hundred, until they had almost completely destroyed them. I think I saw altogether some seventy dead bodies lying there; the greater portion women and children. There may have been thirty warriors, old and young; the rest were women and small children of different ages and sizes.” PBS

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Day Fifty-Nine

5/30

The Book: Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee by Dee Brown

ISBN: 0-8050-6669-1

Suggested By: Sissy Vaughn

Where: Home

When: 2:30-3:20P

Music: None

Company: Alone

Pages: 13- 68 (55)


The Lead In: I never watched the HBO series on this book, though to be honest I saw maybe 30 minutes one time. It looked good and this book seems interesting. The first chapter (read last night to finish off the 55 of the day) detailed the pushing of the Native people back from their land into the reservations. I think this book might depress me (as a white male), but history (and the truth) is never something to fear.


The 411 on the 55: Chapter two begins the story of the Navahos in New Mexico. I will not get into all the ins and outs as I would end up writing a book. Needless to say, white people abused the trust of the Navahos endlessly. I found it interesting that so many of the Navaho chiefs had Spanish names: Manuelito, Delgadio, Barboncito, etc.


Kit Carson, initially reluctant to fight the Natives (due to his close associations), finally began working for the U.S. government and used a scorched earth policy, similar to Sherman’s in the South. By eliminating their food supply, the army began to starve them out. As they began to surrender in droves, the attacks by the army were actually ratcheted up to ensure domination. Carson’s biggest insult as far as the Navahos were concerned was not his fighting and killing their people, but his cutting down of their prized peach orchards.


Though many of the holdouts had surrendered, Manuelito began to hear stories about the conditions on the reservations. People were dying and starving. They were abused by soldiers. He, along with his men, decided not to surrender. Of course, as the last holdout, the army wanted him even more. And after holdout until he was down to 23 men, he finally surrendered. The year after his surrender a new superintendent was put over the reservation and was appalled at the conditions there. Interestingly enough, the man who gave them the best advice (as far as the Navahos were concerned) was Sherman himself. Sherman sent them back to their land, making the whole ordeal a waste of life and time.


I will not tell every story that I read from this book, so maybe each day I will focus on story a day. I am struck from the other stories read today that Lincoln actually stayed the execution of some 300 Native Am

ericans in Minnesota, much to the chagrin of his generals there. 


Line of the Day: “I was born there. I shall remain. I have nothing to lose by my life, and that they can come and take whenever they please, but I will not move. I have never done any wrong to the Americans or the Mexicans. I have never robbed. If I am killed, innocent blood will be shed.” pg 32


The Fact on the Fiction: Manuelito, as he was known to the white man, was Ashkii Diyinii, Holy Boy, to his own people, later to earn the name Haastin Chil Haajin, or Sir Black Reeds, named for 'the place among the black reeds'. Wikipedia


Friday, May 29, 2009

Day Fifty-Eight

5/28

The Book: The Stories of Breece D’J Pancake

ISBN: 0-316-71597-2

Suggested By: Bob Lopez

Where: Home

When: 11- 11:30P

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 142-186 (55)


The Lead In: Carlsberg beer is delicious to drink while reading. I heartily recommend it.


The 411 on the 55: 


“The Salvation of Me” - Two boys grow up together, one leaves town and disappears out into the world. The other sticks around town. After many years the wayward boy returns to town and ignores the kid who stayed. 


“In the Dry” - Long before there was an accident, one man escapes, the other is left a vegetable in a wheelchair. The man returns to town after many years to find that the family with the wreck of a man is exactly the same. While he is tempted to stay, and nail the woman he left behind, he decides he cannot abide in the stagnation and leaves.


“The First Day of Winter” - A man stays with his mom and dad on their failing farm, their sanity and bodies are shot, but he lingers to help them get by. He asks his brother to help, but he suggests they get put in a state home. The son considers smothering them in their sleep, but ignores the thought. He falls asleep in the end, with no resolution.


The 20/20: Pancake’s book of stories is fantastic. I think his true talent as an author is to blend the past and present, memory and experience. It’s an impressive skill. Also, he is a writer directly tied to his home state and draws from that location in his writing. I have never been to West Virginia, but visited it in the writing of Breece D’J Pancake. Well-done work, well-crafted thoughts, well-lived life (though short).


Line of the Day: “Nothing much happens here. Lots happens to you with all our shifting around. Don’t that ever bother you?” pg 153


The Fact on the Fiction: I think it appropriate to give the location of his grave as the last entry to this book. His work was sobering (borderline depressing) and impressive. Visit this site, take a look at the picture and his gravestone. Of course, he is buried in WV. FindAGrave


Thursday, May 28, 2009

Day Fifty-Seven

5/27

The Book: The Stories of Breece D’J Pancake

ISBN: 0-316-71597-2

Suggested By: Bob Lopez

Where: Home

When: 9-

Music: None

Company: Alone

Pages: 86- 141(55)


The Lead In: Someone reacted to one of my tweets on Pancake’s work, thought I was bashing on West Virginia. I have no real opinion on WV, as I have never been there. I had a roommate in college from there, once. His feet stunk so bad, we used to powder the carpet every other day. And man, was he fat! Pretty gross roommate, but I doubt I was much better, just smelled a little better.


The 411 on the 55: Yesterday I referred to these stories as first, second, third and so on, I think tonight I will use their titles as it will make it easier to reference them.


“Time and Again” - Old man driving an ice truck, picks up a hitchhiker. The kid mentions a killer that used to kill hitchhikers in these parts. The story hints that its the old man, but he passes the opportunity to kill the kid, because he doesn’t want to dirty the truck.


“The Mark” - An ugly story about incest and domestic abuse. Had some trouble getting into the story.


“The Scrapper” - Cockfighting, gambling, bootlegging, boxing. The story centers on a man who does all of these things. Disturbing cock fight scene, tad barbaric. He fights in the end of the story, boxing a larger man. It ends with the fight still going on. I like Pancake’s description here, very well done. Mature writing.


“The Honored Dead” - Pancake draws a connection between an Indian burial mound, his father’s war letters, and his friend’s service in the Navy. He’s threatened by his activity in the military and assumes his friend has been with his girlfriend. Eventually, as the title indicates, his friend dies.


“The Way It Has to Be” - A couple from West Virginia are traveling across the country. He’s a murderer, in an almost Javier Bardem style. She is fed up with the life, but he wants to marry her. In the end she decides to get a job and stay in the town they are in, but the story closes with his hand brushing against his gun (she’s gotta die).


“The Salvation of Me” - Two boys growing up, focused on fast cars and cheap women. Not sure where its going. 


Line of the Day: “As he went down he could hear Trudy screaming his name above the cheers. He la for a time on the cold floor of the Sunflower Inn: the jukebox played, and he heard Bund coughing.” pg 114


The Fact on the Fiction: From an Article in the Atlantic Monthly - “Twenty-five years ago this month, on the evening of April 8, 1979, the young author Breece D'J Pancake placed the barrels of a shotgun in his mouth and took his own life. He was twenty-six. At the time of his death he had published six short stories, two of them in The Atlantic Monthly." Transcripts of a Troubled Mind

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Day Fifty-Six

5/27

The Book: The Stories of Breece D’J Pancake

ISBN: 0-316-71597-2

Suggested By: Bob Lopez

Where: Home

When: 7:30-8P

Music: Queen - Greatest Hits I &II

Company: Alone

Pages: 30-85 (55)


The Lead In: Yesterday I read the first 29 pages of this book and I will admit, I’m not sure what I think. The writing focuses on the rural parts of West Virginia (is there any other kind?). That the author killed himself makes the book a little more interesting; though, if the work does not stand out, will it negate that fact?


The 411 on the 55: The first short story focuses on a young man who feels lost in his home town. His life is full of memories of the past, some of which he has never seen. His dad is dead, his mom just sits and ages, and the world seems to be passing him. It’s sad, and good. It culminates in him having sex with an old girlfriend, but he fouls it up by asking to leave town with her. Game over. He resolves to leave for good.


The second story is about a coal miner who lives with a whore. He is about to strike it rich, he thinks, but she isn’t so sure. She gives up that night and leaves town. He wakes up the morning, deciding to lead a strike at the mine.


Third story was the best of the night. Down-on-his-luck tug boat worker wakes up needing to find a whore. He does, but she is super young, in her early teens. They do the deed and he tries to tell her she isn’t cut out for this work. She takes his money and leaves. He finds her behind a bar, wrists slit. Wow. Good story.


The last story of today’s reading is about a young man, again, without a father, trying to fit in. His “friends” and employer want him to go fox hunting, but he ends up trying to save the fox by shooting at the hunting dogs.


These stories are all about not fitting in, about discontentment, about being challenged (and for the most part, defeated) by society or environment. They are sad, clinging to the page as a testament to their straining to live.


Line of the Day: “I walk along the avenue thinking how shit always sinks, and how all these towns dump their shit for the river to push it down to the delta.” pg 60


The Fact on the Fiction: “As a graduate student, Breece took courses, taught freshman English, criticized submissions to the Virginia Quarterly Review, and saw more stories accepted by prestigious publications. He had also begun to job hunt in anticipation of receiving his Masters Degree in June of 1979. Then, on Palm Sunday night, April 7, 1979, Breece began drinking and, for some inexplicable reason, broke into a neighbor's house. When the residents returned and heard Breece stir, he ran back to his own house, placed a shotgun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. Breece Pancake was dead at the age of 26.” Appalachianbooks.com

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Day Fifty-Five

5/26

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 6:30-P

Music: Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Airplane over the Sea

Company: The Family

Pages: 629-655 (55)


The Lead In: The hunt ends today and I am saddened at the prospect of finishing this book. The build-up has been so strong within the text, allowing me to catch the fever of the hunt and prepare for the kill, or be killed. I can’t count the number of conversations I have had this week about Moby-Dick. The Whale stirs within the walls of my mind.


The 411 on the 55: Ahab’s whaling boat, while hunting Moby-Dick, is attacked and destroyed. Ahab narrowly avoids death by leaping from the wreck. Only after the Pequod drives Moby-Dick off can they pull Ahab from the water. He tells them to follow the whale and they do, through the night.


That morning, they spot him and all boats are in the water. Moby-Dick is up to the challenge, charging and churning the water, destruction for the whalers in his mind. Each boat is destroyed by the whale. They are left standing on the Pequod’s deck, yet Ahab is not moved.


The next day they lower again. Two whaling boats are crushed, but Ahab’s is untouched. He throws his harpoon into the whale, but it does nothing to slow Moby-Dick. The whale turns on the Pequod and bashes a hole in its side. Again Ahab throws a harpoon, but this time the line runs foul. Ahab stoops to untangle it, but it catches him and out the boat he flies, destined for the whale and the sea. No one survives the hunt but Ishmael, draped over the coffin (turned life-preserver).


The 20/20: Wow, best book of this exercise, easily. Melville’s talent is seen on every page. His combination of poetry, non-fiction, narrative prose, and a great story makes this book fit for just about every reader. The book isn’t dated or difficult to read. It’s a great book.


Line of the Day: This book’s finish was gripping and there were too many to select just one. So embrace the hyperbole.


 “Begone! Ye two are the opposite poles of one thing; Starbuck is Stubb reversed, and Stubb is Starbuck; and ye two are all mankind; and Ahab stands alone among the millions of the peopled earth, nor gods nor men his neighbors!” pg 632


“Aye, breach your last to the sun, Moby Dick!” cried Ahab...” pg 637


“Great God! but for one single instant show thyself,” cried Starbuck; “never never wilt thou capture him, old man.” pg 641


“...but Ahab never thinks; he only feels, feels, feels, that’s tingling enough for mortal man! to think’s audacity. God only has that right and privilege. Thinking is, or ought to be, a coolness and a calmness; and our poor hearts throb, and our poor brains beat too much for that.” pg 643


“Some men die at ebb tide; some at low water; some at the full of the flood; -and I feel now like a billow that’s all one crested comb, Starbuck. I am old;-shake hands with me, man.” pg 646


“Down, men! the first things that but offers to jump from this boat I stand in, that thing I  harpoon. Ye are not other men, but my arms and my legs; and so obey me.” ph 648


“Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying and unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I satb at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee.” pg 652


The Fact on the Fiction: Moby-Dick was made into a movie in 1956 starring Gregory Peck. Interesting to note, the movie adaptation was penned by Ray Bradbury. IMDB


Monday, May 25, 2009

Day Fifty-Four

5/25

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 7:30-8P

Music: Oldies 105.5

Company: Alone

Pages: 573-628 (55)


The Lead In: Today, I was discussing this book with Joey at work. Yes, we both want to be whalers.


The 411 on the 55: All the science and poetry is dropped by Melville, you can feel the book speeding up as he races towards the clash of whale and man. I like that. You should feel a book’s pace as it goes along, ignore pace (as a writer) and you leave your readers to get bored or wander off.


Ahab is bat-shit crazy. Lightening strikes the boat and he laughs it off. But that’s only the beginning: a bird steals his hat, his compass gets reversed, he encounters a ship recently attacked by Moby-Dick, and has to fight through a typhoon. The world is fighting against his goal, but he is unmoved in his resolve. Finally, the whale is sighted.



Line of the Day: “In his fiery eyes of scorn and triumph, you then saw Ahab in all his fatal pride.” pg 594


The Fact on the Fiction: Prior to the sighting of Moby-Dick, there is some debate on the crew on wether to mutiny or not. They all know they will die because of Ahab’s insanity, yet they hold off. Consider the example of another famous boat and a mutiny attempt (successful). The Bounty

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Day Fifty-Three

5/24

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 9:30-P

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 517- 572(55)


The Lead In: God, I wish I was a whaler.


The 411 on the 55: In the science section of the reading today, Melville discusses wether of not whales will ever go extinct. He agues no because they can always retreat to the Arctic, where it would be much more difficult to get them (global warming, be damned). 


There is another chapter that is very play-like, with scene description and such. Melville moves between the styles flawlessly. It almost seems like an exercise in a writing class. “OK, now right this chapter as if you were writing a play.” It’s good, well-done, and an interesting approach to a relatively long book.


A leak is found in the oil barrels in the hold and Starbuck tells Ahab. Ahab tells him off and commands him out of his presence, not wanting his hunting of Moby-Dick to be slowed. Starbuck argues, and eventually wins. While the barrels are hoisted, Queequeg catches a fever. He gets progressively worse until he finally calls for the carpenter to make him a coffin. He has all of his things gathered and placed in it, including food and whatnot. And then, he recovers.


Ahab has a huge harpoon made, to kill Moby-Dick and, in a heathen display of awesomeness, has his harpooners put their own blood on the barbs. How very un-Christian of him! His streak for craziness gets ratcheted up later as he sleeps in his whale-boat, watching over a slain whale. He awakes and raves about only being able to be killed by rope, and nothing else. Sort of a prophecy of sorts. He’s a loony.


Line of the Day: “In this Afric Temple of the Whale I leave you, reader, and if you be an Nantucketer, and a Whaleman, you will silently worship there.” pg 529


“There is one God that is Lord over the earth, and one Captain that is lord over the Pequod.” pg 547


The Fact on the Fiction: In 1841, Herman Melville sailed out of New Bedford on a whaleship, living the life of a whaleman for 18 months. The classic novel, “Moby Dick” is the result of his voyage. The end of the novel, where Moby Dick rams and sinks the Pequod is modeled after the real-life experience of the whaleship Essex, which was rammed and sunk by a sperm whale. Much of Moby Dick can be considered factual, based on Melville's experience. Google Timeline

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Day Fifty-Two

5/23

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 1:30-2P

Music: Dark was the Night

Company: The Family

Pages: 461-516 (55)


The Lead In: There is a pretty horrible comparison in today’s reading between women and whale carcasses. Read it and weep. (461)


The 411 on the 55: The Pequod sails upon another ship, the Rosebud. The French ship has a whale tied up to the side of the ship. It was dead when they found it, so it stinks. Stubb talks them into cutting the whale loose, by claiming they will get sick from the smell. Once they sail off, Stubb digs into the carcass and gets a load of ambergris.


Soon after, Pip, a black deckhand, is put onto one of the whaleboats after an injury to one of its crewman. So scared is Pip, that when a whale is harpooned, he jumps from the boat, gets tangled in the line and, to save his life, they cut the rope. Stubb warns him that if it happens again, they won’t save him. Next whale, he does it again, leaping from the boat, and is left to the waves. There is a bit of racism, as Pip is one of the few black sailors.


The last important part of today’s reading was encountering an English ship with a captain who’s arm had been lost during an attack by Moby-Dick. Unlike Ahab, he seems to have adjusted well and irritates Ahab by not immediately telling him where he saw the whale. Ahab is a tad on the nutty side.


Line of the Day: “Look not too long in the face of the fire, O man! Never dream with thy hand on the helm! Turn not thy back to the compass; accept the first hint of the hitching tiller; believe not the artificial fire, when its redness makes all things look ghastly.” pg 492


The Fact on the Fiction: Ahab’s namesake was an ancient Hebrew king, husband of the infamous Jezebel. Wikipedia

Friday, May 22, 2009

Day Fifty-One

5/22

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 4:50

Music: None

Company: The Dogs

Pages: 405-460(55)


The Lead In: I have often entered into debate with my friends as to if the current generation of humans could have hacked it in earlier periods of history. We have grown so soft (in the US and Europe, primarily) that I seriously doubt the ability for us to toughen up to the task of our fathers and grandfathers. I don’t think there are many whalers around now.


The 411 on the 55: A whale is spotted but another ship is giving chase. Undeterred, the Pequod lowers its boats and heads after it. Queequeg nails it with a harpoon and as the whale pulls, his boat knocks the opposing harpooner out of his boat. As the whale begins to tire, it rises to the surface. As he lies on the surface, Flask stabs him and blood shoots out with such force that everyone is dripping from head to toe. The whale is so heavy that when it is tied to the Pequod it pulls it over, forcing them to cut it lose.


As the ship passes around the coast of Java, they are chased by pirates, but the Pequod  is so quick, it easily out races them. The encounter a pod of whales when Queequeg notices a whale giving birth. They stand entranced for a moment, but soon the whales begin bumping the boat, but again, the Pequod narrowly escapes damage.


Several large sections of whale science, most interesting was the section on whale phrenology.


Line of the Day: “Hurrah! This whale carries the everlasting mail!” pg 416


The Fact on the Fiction: “Moby-Dick was first published by Richard Bentley in London on October 18, 1851 in an expurgated three-volume edition titled The Whale, and later as one massive volume, by New York City publisher Harper and Brothers as Moby-Dick; or, The Whale on November 14, 1851” Wikpedia

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Day Fifty

5/21

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 2:15

Music: None

Company: The Dogs

Pages: 349-404 (55)


The Lead In: Today is the 50th day of 55 pages. The next post will be a recap of what I have read over the last 50 days and a totaling of the pages. Now to the whale!


The 411 on the 55: The whale Stubb killed is tied up to the boat and the sharks are smacking against the boat as they go into a feeding frenzy. So Stubb calls out the cook (who is black) to preach to the sharks. Melville attempts to represent dialect here, but unlike Queequeg and the other more exotic characters of the book, Fleece (the cook), sounds unreal and a little disappointing. Twain’s Jim, another example of African-American dialect, seems more true (and I recently read Huckleberry Finn, hence the comparison). Soon after the preaching is done, they begin killing the sharks to protect the whale carcass.


The removal of the blubber is another section of the book that is grotesque to describe. Melville again balances between fiction and non, telling how it is done. Eventually, the body is picked clean and the remainder is cut loose to the sharks.


A ship passes by, they have lost a man in trying to catch Moby-Dick. They warn against going after the leviathan. Later, the crew wonders if Ahab has made a deal with the Devil. His focus on the whale is beginning to wear on them all.

 

The head of the whale is suspended against the side of the ship as they bail out the spermaceti, when one of the men, Tashtego, falls into the head. In the rush to get him out, the strain of the men climbing onto the head breaks the mast and the head, and Tashtego inside it, hit the water and begin sinking. Queequeg again to the rescue, and the sailor is saved.


Line of the Day: “Does not this whole head seem to speak of an enormous practical resolution in facing death?” pg 394


The Fact on the Fiction: “For 30 whaling individual terms in Moby-Dick alone, Melville is the only or first citation in many historical dictionaries.” Jstor

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Day Forty-Nine

5/20

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 11:20-12:05A

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 293 - 348 (55)


The Lead In: Never put off to later what should be done now. Reading late at night is bad for comprehension.


The 411 on the 55: Lots of research in today’s reading. A discussion of representation of whales in arts, depending on the experience of the painter. He discusses different countries in Europe and their views of whales in their art, though he also touches on India’s “Hindoos,” as he puts it.


There is a brief bit of fiction as one of the sailors thinks he spots the White Whale. As they pull towards the creature, they realize it isn’t a whale. In fact, its a giant squid. Which sperm whales eat, primarily. Apparently its bad luck and they head back to the ship, sad and quiet as a group. Queequeg, on the other hand, starts sharpening his harpoon. “When you see him ‘quid, then you quick see him a ‘parm whale.” Well said, Q.


A whale is sighted by Ishmael and again all the boats are in the water. This time, they make a kill. Melville is pretty explicit in his description of the death. Blood and guts, gruesome torture of the mammal. It’s a little gross to read, but it is well-written. It is one thing when someone writes about a subject that is disturbing and does it badly. To take something difficult to read and touch it up with craft and ability makes something disgusting beautiful. Stubb makes the kill.


Again, quickly following his fiction with an almost essay-like information blitz makes Melville shine. I can see lesser readers having fits, because it busts up the flow. But he seems to be focused on making you more knowledgeable on the entire task of whale-hunting, from beginning to end, while the secondary goal is telling a story.


Stubb eats whale steak that night.


Line of the Day: “But not only is the sea such a foe to man who is an alien to it, but is it also a fiend to its own offspring; worse than the Persian host who murdered his own guests; sparing not the creatures which itself hath spawned.” pg 326


The Fact on the Fiction: “Adult giant squids' only known predator are sperm whales. It has also been suggested that pilot whales may feed on giant squid. Juveniles are preyed on by deep sea sharks and fishes. Because sperm whales are skilled at locating giant squid, scientists have tried to observe them to study the squid.” Wikipedia




Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Day Forty-Eight

5/19

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 7:45-8:15P

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 237 - 292 (55)


The Lead In: Melville uses several points of view in this book. The dominant one is that of Ishmael’s, obviously. But he also uses an omniscient narrator and another voice as well. The third point of view is obviously Melville, himself, especially in the chapters where he hammers out his research and lays out scientific facts.


The 411 on the 55: I love the beginning of today’s reading, where Melville discusses humanity’s attraction to the color, white. Very metaphysical and interesting. He fills it with examples that inspire belief, even though I think its a load of crap (at least, as to why men hunt whales).


In one of Melville’s asides he discusses actual times that ships have been attacked, primarily the story of the Essex. More on the Essex in today’s FotF. He also mentions some specific whale names: Timor Tom , New Zealand Jack, Morquan (of Japan), and Don Miguel (of Chili). Loved that part, as I had suppressed some doubts about whales having names (like Moby-Dick) 


The first whale is sighted and everyone hits the boats. Even Ahab, who has a secret crew of foreign looking guys who have been stowed away all trip long (much to the surprise of the crew), heads into the hunt. Queequeg aims at a whale, misses, but grazes it. The whale reacts by bumping the boat and capsizing the crew. By the time they regain their craft, a storm has blown in and their lamp is too damp to light. They despair for a bit, but Queequeg hears the creaking timbers of the Pequod  and just in time, too, as it is bearing down on them. In fact, they are forced to bail out while their whaling boat is smashed to bits under the ship. Luckily, they all make it to safety.


As they continue their search, they meet another ship and have a gam. (Check the Twitter for a definition of gam!)


Line of the Day: (wanted to use the whole paragraph but it was too long) “And of all these things the Albino whale was the symbol. Wonder ye then at the fiery hunt?” pg 238


The Fact on the Fiction: Before reading this book, I read In the Heart of the Sea which discusses the whale-ship Essex which was attacked by a whale (true story), leaving the men stranded in the middle of the Pacific. It tells the story of their survival, which included cannibalism and murder. Really great book to read, especially for people who don’t read non-fiction often. It flows well. Apparently, the story of the Essex greatly inspired Melville’s story. He extensively interviewed the remaining members of the crew for information to use in Moby-Dick.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Day Forty-Seven

5/18

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 8:15-8:45P

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 179 - 236 (57)


The Lead In: I remember when I told Randy Monty that I was reading this book he laughed and said wait till you hit the science sections. I guess I can see that now. I think that it doesn’t hurt the book, so much as give an insight into Melville’s technique. The man obviously researched the hell out whaling before writing this book. The pages reek of both book knowledge and old fishing stories told in bars in Massachusetts.


The 411 on the 55: The lesson on whales continues for another couple of pages, and then the politics of the boat begins to emerge. Ahab is the captain and the mood of the other sailors is dictated by his. He is a bit of a specter on the ship, hovering and scaring the beJesus out of everyone. The 3 mates on the ship, Starbuck, Stubb, and Flask, all operate in tightening spheres of responsibility and respect. Each must acquiesce to his superior, (specifically in this chapter) in order of rising from the dinner table.


After the dinner description there are four chapters (37-40), the first three are set as soliloquies, Ahab, Starbuck, and Stubbs. The fourth is scene written as a play, with parts separated in play style, marked for each character, without description of setting. Very  interesting, from my point of view, to see a writer use multiple construction techniques (prose and play).  


Then the story of Moby-Dick. It begins with Ahab offering a gold coin to the man who spots the whale. His madness is apparent as he raves about revenge for his leg. Later, Ishmael hears the real story of the terror of the White Whale (Moby-Dick’s alternate name). Bashing and destroying so many whale-ships that he bristles with broken harpoons. Basically, he is the badass of all whales and Ahab wants him dead.


Line of the Day: “God keep me from ever completing anything. This whole book is but a draught - nay, but the draught of a draught. Oh, Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience! pg 182


The Fact on the Fiction: On Chapter 38: Dusk: ““Dusk” is the third of five chapters written somewhat as a play. The first of this sequence of chapters dramatizes Ahab convincing his crew to chase the white whale. The four subsequent chapters follow the thoughts of four entities on the ship — Ahab, Starbuck, Stubb, and the crew. Each character stands at a different station, progressing from stern to bow. Starbuck stands by the mainmast at the center of the boat, and serves in his thoughts as the center of reason on the Pequod. In one way, I think writing the chapters as plays emphasizes the dramatics of Ahab’s persuasion — five chapters, five Shakespearean acts. More importantly, though, I think Melville used the play format to pull Ishmael out of the modernist narrator’s seat, so the reader can see perspectives on Ahab’s quest that are unfiltered and unprocessed by Ishmael.” CallMeIshmael.org

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Day Forty-Six

5/17

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 6-6:30P

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 123 - 178 (55)


The Lead In: I didn’t listen to any music today but I did enjoy a delicious Shiner Black. MMMMM. Very nice.


The 411 on the 55: Both signed up on the ship, they run into a scarred and ugly man, Elijah. He annoys them both by cautioning them about the Pequod and Captain Ahab. They ignore him twice and are soon out on the ocean headed to sea. Ahab makes his first appearance in the book after several days of sailing. He’s grizzled and tough, missing his leg, and super salty with his mates. He’s driven.


The rest of today’s reading was discussion of the mates on the ship, including the first mate, Starbuck, and a long and complex description of the different types of whales.


Line of the Day: “Butchers we are, that is true.” pg 142


The Fact on the Fiction: Starbucks (the coffee shop of every corner) is named after the first mate of the Pequod. Starbucks



Saturday, May 16, 2009

Day Forty-Six

5/16

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 5-5:45P

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 65 - 122 (57)


The Lead In: I love the racial undertones in the story so far. The relationship between Queequeg and Ishmael is pretty interesting. Reminds me of Huck and Jim, that just struck me.


The 411 on the 55: They attend chapel in a church completely sailing-themed. Even the pulpit is shaped like the bow of a ship. The pastor has to climb a rope to get into it. His message is completely built off the story of Jonah (swallowed by a whale). Queequeg slips out early, while Ishmael stays till the end.


Ishmael is asked to worship Queequeg’s idol, Yojo, he does, justifying it as a meaningless gesture. Queequeg obviously appreciates it and their bond grows stronger. Later, as they head to Nantucket to get a ship, Queequeg is mocked by a white sailor, but, returns the favor by saving the mocker’s life. Everyone agrees he’s much nicer than his appearance indicates.


Finally, Ishmael spots the Pequod and signs up himself and Queequeg. He doesn’t meet the captain, Ahab, but hears a story about how his leg was taken.


Line of the Day: “I’ll try a pagan friend, thought I, since Christian kindness has proved but hollow courtesy.” pg 81.


The Fact on the Fiction: Many of the original whalers were actually Quakers. Pacifist and reclusive by religion, they dominated the trade and the coast of Massachusetts, specifically New Bedford  (the hub of the trade). New Bedford Whaling Museum

Friday, May 15, 2009

Day Forty-Five

5/15

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 9 - 9:45P

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 9 - 64 (55)


The Lead In: Reading this book is a thrill. I can’t explain what Moby Dick means to me. It’s a legendary book about a legendary whale. It’s the quest for what cannot be obtained. It’s the drive to conquer that which will defeat us. I love the book in theory, hope the book lives up to the rap.


The 411 on the 55: The book begins with Ishmael deciding its time to go to sea. His description of the meaning of the sea to humanity is interesting and almost essay-like. The words flow well and the whole of the first chapter is descriptions of why the sea is important, both to Ishmael and everyone else.


Ishmael arrives in New Bedford, Massachusetts (hometown of longtime friend, Randy Monty) looking for a ship to set sail on. He hits a couple of inns and when he finds one to his liking, all the beds are taken. The inn keeper offers to let him split a bed with another sailor, but Ishmael is opposed to the idea. Eventually, he gives in. He climbs into bed and falls asleep before the other sailor shows up.


In the middle of the night, the harpooner finally returns to his room. Several things go against him. First, he’s black. Two, he sells shrunken heads. Three, he’s tattooed all over. Four, he threatens Ishmael with his tomahawk. After the confusion settles, the inn keeper introduces him as Queequeg and Ishmael, somehow, goes straight to sleep.


Line of the Day: (Ok, actually a paragraph. Read it, please.) “Call me Ishmael. Some years ago-never mind how long precisely-having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on the shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off-then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball.” pg 27


The Fact on the Fiction: “Leviathan is a concept album by sludge metal band Mastodon, released in 2004 by Relapse Records. The album is based on the Herman Melville novel Moby-Dick, with songs: “Iron Tusk”, “Blood and Thunder” and “Seabeast” released as singles. Three magazines awarded it Album of the Year in 2004.” Wikipedia



Thursday, May 14, 2009

Day Forty-Four

5/14

The Book: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

ISBN: 978-0-7607-9345-9

Suggested By: Brandon Shuler

Where: Moonbean’s Coffee

When: 11:15-11:45A

Music: Some Blues XM station

Company: Other people in the store that talk too loudly

Pages: 228- 275 (47)


The Lead In: Ah Emma, so many men, so little time.


The 411 on the 55: Things get worse and worse and Leon decides he needs to call it off with her, especially after she begs him for money. So she hits up Rodolphe and the same happens, he spurns her. The tax collector hits on her and this offends her. Whores can’t be picky, I think, specially when the bills gots to be paid! Emma freaks out, no one loves her, except for the husband who she is too good for and everything in her house is being sold to pay off a claim against her.


So what does Emma do? Eat some arsenic.


And she languishes for about 2 days and kicks it. Charles is hysterical. No one else seems to care, having conversations about everything but Emma. After her death Charles goes nuts and starts adopting her habits. No, not dressing in lavish dresses and nailing men, but rather spending too much money and keeping with fashion. But sadly, he eventually dies in the garden, holding a lock of her hair. Berthe is sent off to her aunt’s, as everyone else is dead or invalid. Finally she is shipped off to work in a factory. End of story. 


The 20/20: Really good book, incited some emotion out of me. Maybe the first book of this task to do that. Well, Jamaica Inn made me angry, but at the book not at the characters. Stories about cheating always piss me off, and this was a good story about cheating. This book was written in 1856, that makes it 153 years old. Considering its age, amazing book. Read it.


Line of the Day: AWESOME QUOTE: “So he gave up his flute, exalted sentiments, and poetry; for every bourgeois in the flush of his youth, were it but for a day, a moment, has believed himself capable of immense passions, of lofty enterprises. The most mediocre libertine has dreamed of sultana; every notary bears within him the deb

ris of a poet.” pg 228


The Fact on the Fiction: Arsenic poisoning doesn’t sound very fun. Many famous people have died from it, including Napolean Bonaparte and George III of England. Because the effects of arsenic poisoning are similar to cholera, it became a very common method for murderers. By the 19th C., it had acquired the nickname "inheritance powder," perhaps because impatient heirs were known or suspected to use it to ensure or accelerate their inheritances. Wikipedia



pictured: me, hating Emma for being such a slut.