A Minor Point of Style
As a close for my review of Melville’s work of Moby Dick, I would like to point out a certain caution regarding style. When reading Moby Dick one gets the impression that towards the end the author was so intent on bringing his story to a close that he started to cut things short and step up the pace of the tale considerably. This is good and bad. I will try to point out both sides of this issue in the next two paragraphs.
Why it’s Good
The ending of a good tale must be dramatic. It must bind the reader’s attention so powerfully that he will read on without pause until the very end of the story. This will also be the flavor which remains in the reader’s mouth upon completion of his reading. The long winded style which filled a large portion of the book is thus not particularly suited for creating a powerful and dramatic end and so, Melville changes his style to suit his purposes.
Why it’s Not So Good
The problem with Melville’s change of pace and style is actually two fold. First off, merely changing styles so drastically leaves an after taste which diminishes the pleasure of the tale considerably. This is something which skilled and experienced authors attempt to avoid at all costs. Second, this increase in drama and change of perspective distances us from the tale. Until this shift we were travelling along with the voyage of the whaling ship as though seeing things from the eyes of Ishmael. He was guiding us through the tale and demonstrating the sites, elaborating where necessary. Now, suddenly, we are distanced from the tale and events are described as they happen. We are no longer full in the heart of things, as we were previously. This, to my eyes, seems a great loss.
